WOODEN YA KNOW!

The only good thing to report?
We've opened up our view!
TAKEN: MAY 17th, 2025

When the ice storm of the century hit Muskoka the final weekend in March, the damage around town was brutal. Fortunately, at the house, we escaped with a couple of days of cleanup and a handful of well organized burn piles for the fall.

Because we were leaving for Aruba the weekend following that storm, and with my getting pneumonia shortly after we returned, this past weekend was the first time we landed at the cottage to turn the water on and assess possible carnage.

When we pulled in the driveway, I had to hop out to move limbs so my travel buddy hubby to get up the lane. Once loaded up and headed to the top of the hill, nothing prepared us for the level of damage we would see. There was so many downed trees, we had a hard time navigating to the bottom.

We immediately focused on getting the water on (our lake intake was damaged by felled trees) and then I focused on a deep clean and getting beds made. Late in the afternoon I began cutting and moving the smaller brush (from the firepit area below) with my chainsaw; but it seemed hopeless.

Hubby assessing the damaged plumbing
stack and fascia damage.
TAKEN: MAY 17th, 2025

Pink arrow shows how healthy
trees just snapped off from the weight.
TAKEN: MAY 17th, 2025

Clotheslines gone and our more than 50 stairs are pretty much a write off. The only thing that seemed to survive was 'the shed that won't die', left to us more than 20 years ago - from the previous owners. 

The red graphic below is where I would like us to built the new stairs and electric 'Grocery Bulter'. 

A fancy name for a 4'x4' powered winch system to move items up and down the hill. Not all cottagers will want to climb that hill, like we have for the past 20+ years. 

The shed that won't die.
(The tin boat remained all these years
so I can reach my clotheslines.)

By mid-day Sunday, we managed to clean the top drive, the ATV trail, the firepit landing, and removed the large trees off the roof. 

We spent about six hours, with two chainsaws going, and never argued once. Just effectively communicated on how to untangle this serious puzzle Mother Nature left us.

Wouldn't you know it. The one year we don't check in, is the one year we are gifted with a good month of yardwork that will leave us with a bonfire wood pile fit for a King.

Hope the King can spare some Rub A535.... Because every single muscle in my body is yelling at me today to "HIRE SOMEONE TO CLEAN THIS CRAP UP," which is simply not an option for us. 

Not because we can't afford it. But because we want to prove to each other that we've got this.... No matter how painful and totally delusional that statement may really be! 

#yagottalaughaboutit