Tamarack Cottage Details
This section of the web site is for visitors who want to know lots of
detail. If you are like me, you will be looking for something different.
Tamarack is precisely that. Different!
So, get comfortable because this section is rather lengthy .....
There are Ontario cottage rentals that are much more spectacular, of
course, but Tamarack is special and has its own very special space in
a very honest and simple country way. It is situated 'on the water'
about 25 miles north of Grand Bend and 3 miles out of Bayfield on the
scenic eastern shore of Lake Huron.
The Beach
The beach is just lovely. It has a huge, wide expanse of clean 'white'
sand, and is unused most of the time, affording you lots of undisturbed
privacy. It is right below the cottage...immediately at the foot of
the steps.
When you go into the water there are stones but likely a sandy bottom
out a bit. Bring those water shoes to help those office pinkies over
the stones in the water when you wade to the sand. Looking to the north
you can see the bays and points - a nice backdrop to the beach scene.
You can check out some beach pictures in the Cottage Photo Gallery -
Click
Here.
This year the water level is quite low in Lake Huron which has resulted
in the beach being even wider. I stepped it off close to 100 feet from
the bottom of the bank to the waters' edge. On a windy day the waves
break and sweep up the beach so the dry beach would not be as wide of
course.
More About The Cottage
The outside walls of the cottage are covered with “red”cedar shingles,
which now have turned to the characteristic grey like the cottages at
Cape Cod.
Some pictures have been taken with a wide angle lens that can result
in making the rooms appear bigger that what they really are. The living
room is close to 20 x 24. Some of the furnishings are changed from time
to time so will not be exactly as you see in the picture.
Tamarack is situated close to the lake cliff edge, next to a ravine
resulting in a spectacular view of the lake from the living room. I
have owned the place since 1984 and even yet, when I have been away
for a couple of weeks I am once again impressed when I walk into the
living room to see how close the lake is.
Remember the lakeside wall is nearly all windows. This room always gets
an “ooh” and an “ah” from new arrivals! As one teenager said, “a drop dead
gorgeous place!” You can also see the lake from the kitchen and both bedrooms
if you “crane” your neck a bit.
There is one cottage some distance away on the lot to the north. The
cottages beyond are hidden by a lovely stand of Austrian Pine trees.
There is only one cottage close by to the south. The others are further
back on their lots. I put in 200 feet of cedar hedge on the property
line, between the two cottages some time ago.
On the east side of the lane there are no second row cottages, but instead
a huge farmer’s field with a crop giving you added privacy and a nice
long distant view to the east.
The cottage is in quite a natural country setting with trees, open sunny
lawns, tall grasses and wild vegetation such as Dog Wood and Sumac.
A few years ago I had about an 8 foot spruce tree moved to the lot which
must be about 18 feet high now. This tree is at the east end of the
lot affording a nice scene with its drooping bows all the way to the
ground.
There are lots of birds; I regularly see rabbits and sometimes chipmunks.
I saw a deer in the above field.
My lot is about 44 feet wide and fairly deep. Understandably, all the
space surrounding my lot is not mine.
Parking is at the east end of the lot. Under no circumstances are people
to drive, park or use my neighbors cottage property. It is a bit of
a carry when you arrive, but there is a wheelbarrow for your use. I
ask that you not drive on the lawn as that would compact the soil over
the septic tank weeping bed and compromise its function.
Kitchen
The kitchen has a large English, oak drawleaf table and six chairs (there
are extra folding chairs). There is a large leaded window facing east,
and 3 huge windows facing north. There is an electric stove, fridge,
microwave, coffee maker, toaster. Hot and cold water on tap. There are
dishes, pots and pans, cutlery, tea towels, dish towels, tea kettle
and thermos tea pot. There is a double stainless steel sink and oak
cupboards. There is NO barbeque.
Bathroom
There is a modern flush toilet, and sink. There is a ball and claw bathtub
with shower and wrap around shower curtain. Of course there is hot and
cold water.
Sleeping
We make up one queen sized poster bed for the main bedroom and a three-quarter
bed that is large enough for two for the second bedroom with relaxing, clean white sheets, pillows
and a supply of blankets. For extra sleeping there are single foam mattresses
stored under the beds. I do not supply any bedding for these.
I once had someone who was booking for the first time say that they
would bring their own sheets. I assured her that was not necessary.
It is no more necessary than taking sheets to a hotel. These two beds
have relaxing, clean white sheets, pillows and a supply of blankets.
Now each bed has two down filled pillows and two 'foam' filled so you
can use your preference. For me the foam is always too high and too
firm, even in hotels, so at Tamarack at least you have a choice.
Heating
Electric baseboard heaters throughout the cottage can heat the cottage
nicely but in cold weather they might not be enough in which case you
would use the modern wood stove as well. It is 'red' enamel, with a
window in the door that gives you a good view of the fire. This stove
can really belt the heat out, and is like a fireplace. Wood is supplied.
VCR and DVD but No TV Reception
There is a TV, VCR, CD player
and DVD player in the living room and FM and AM radio in the kitchen
and now also a radio in the larger bedroom. TV is provided for use with the electronic devices. There is no TV reception.
Telephone
The telephone is now a private line (not a rural party line) and is
touch tone.
Pitch Black Nights
There are no street lights so moonless nights are pitch black! Bring
lots of flashlights. The view of the stars is fantastic, away from the
pollution of the city lights. So far, no neighbor has put up an all
night mercury vapor light to keep the that tiger and wolverine at bay,
so the beauty of the night remains unspoiled.
It’s a renewed experience to be in such a natural setting. This is the
way it would have been a hundred years ago in the country. When I go
to Florida the hotels light blast the experience of the night away...it
might as well be daylight and they don’t even have tigers and wolverines!
In July of '77 my father, then retired from the railroad 10 years, and
I was 40, sat in the car to watch the 'shooting stars'. It was one of
those cool, starry, pitch black nights. It was that time of summer to
see 'falling stars'.
I recall what a great visit we had. Perhaps the best we had ever had.
Possibly our only visit about life, pondering its meaning and the like.
A vacation can be the jewel of the year for families, a time for renewal.
A time away from our hectic schedules. A time to take time.
Fires
Please do not have any fires on the lawn or anyplace up top. This of
course does not pertain to your barbeque should you bring one.
People do have campfires on the beach. There is usually drift wood.
Some Cottage History
Tamarack was built around 1940 and in 1994 a one and a half story was
added which triples the floor space. There is also a veranda. The floors
are pine, and the walls in the living room are red cedar from BC.
On the ground floor, in the new addition, the ceiling is supported by
exposed wood beams from an old house near the Talbot Trail, in the Lake
Erie area. The wide pine floors are from an 1832 magistrates' Georgian
house in Ingersoll and the front door and entrance I think are also
from near the historic Talbot Trail.
Summer Theater
Both Blyth and Grand Bend have live summer theater that I highly recommend.
I have had season tickets for Blyth since they opened, over 25 years
ago. There is also the famous Stratford Festival Theater about one hour
east on Hwy 8.
Other Interesting Places
This is one that comes first to mind. On the Bayfield Line there is
a full size Dutch windmill that I have toured. A sign reads, “Windmill
Closed”. I am sorry to write that the man that built it has died.
He did a very impressive job of building it. It’s like a work of art
it is so well crafted. He also created a lake and Dutch lift bridge
at the site. What a great contribution he has made for the area. Even
if it’s not open you can still drive by it. It is on The Bayfield Line
that runs east from The Village Inn corner on Hwy 21 just north of the
bridge a mile and a quarter. Just follow the turns ..... it’s likely
2 or 3 miles.
Then there are all those neighbouring towns, villages
and hamlets that have their own unique country flavour, historic landmarks
and warm friendly inhabitants. You can check out some of them HERE.
Again, thanks for your interest. I hope you like the pictures and that
I have answered your questions. Be sure to book early as it fills up
quickly with July, August and June the first to go. I will start accepting
bookings for 2006 around January 2-2006.
To book, phone 519-482-7740 and leave message. Speak slowly and clearly.
Please repeat the phone number including your area code. If leaving
your name and address include your postal or zip code. Please spell
names and use names for letters, M as in Mary for example.
So, that’s it! Tamarack on The Lake - The drop dead gorgeous place!
Thank you for visiting my web site. I look forward to your call or email.
Yours for a new holiday experience.
Kelvin Jervis
PS: I usually check my email once a day or phone my answering
machine for availability (519) 482-7740 leave message.