What would you call your family cottage?
In this blog Doug, one of Great Blue’s founding members, shares his memories growing up at his family cottage, and why he took part in creating Great Blue Resorts. “It’s not a timeshare, it’s your cottage, your memories, your place.”
What would you call your family cottage?
Our family cottage was called the RRR Ranch, named after the three Renshaw brothers who built it together, my grandfather and his two brothers. It wasn’t just their place, it was everyone’s. Any family member could come and stay for a week or two during the summer, and many did.
It was simple. Four rooms total, two bedrooms, and not a single bathroom inside.
I was about six years old when the family finally added one outside, tucked onto the corner of the porch. Before that, there was only an old, rustic outhouse. I still remember the metal wash tub hanging from a nail near the entrance, with a wooden spoon tied to a string. Before making the pitch-black walk at night, you’d bang on that tub a few times just in case any critters (or something bigger) were nearby.
Strangely enough, those nighttime walks weren’t scary for long. The sky would open up above you with millions of stars scattered across it. And when the moon was full, you didn’t even need a flashlight.
Some of my favorite childhood memories were made during those one or two weeks each summer. Long walks in the woods with my grandpa, pretending to be afraid as he made animal noises just out of sight. I can still picture his mischievous smile when I’d ask, “What was that?”
We’d hike to an old pond carved into smooth rock and moss, catching minnows to use as bait later in the day. Fishing, second only to roasting marshmallows over the fire, was my favorite thing to do. The moment we arrived, I’d grab one of the long bamboo fishing poles and head straight down to the dock
Getting there was half the adventure, a winding wooden staircase that zigzagged down the hill. At the bottom, the dock stretched out over the water, with tin boats tied on either side and a small sitting area at the end. There was a ladder for climbing back up after jumping in and more than a few cannonballs aimed at soaking my mom while she relaxed in a Muskoka chair.
At the top of the hill, beside the stairs, there was a swing, just two ropes tied to a tree branch and a simple wooden seat. But when you swung out over the slope, it felt like flying.
Even the meals were unforgettable. Some of the best food I’ve ever had came straight off that fire pit. A hot dog roasted on a stick cut into a “spider dog”, somehow tasted better than anything from a kitchen. Family dinners were an event. Everyone pitched in. My brother and I were responsible for gathering kindling, which was never hard with the forest all around us.
These are the memories that stay with you. The ones you carry forward and hope to pass down someday. But the reality today is different.
Owning a traditional cottage has become increasingly expensive and maintaining one can be just as challenging. For many families, that dream is starting to feel out of reach. That’s exactly why we created Great Blue Resorts.
Great Blue Resorts is a Canadian, family-focused cottage resort operator with locations within an hour and a half of the GTA. Whether you’re drawn to Muskoka, the Kawarthas, or near Sandbanks in Prince Edward County, there’s a place waiting for you to create your own version of these memories.
Our resorts offer fully furnished, professionally designed cottages that you own, without the stress of traditional cottage ownership. With resort management handling maintenance, services, and amenities, you can focus on what matters most, time with family. Our owners can enjoy heated pools, sandy beaches, sports courts, watercraft, fitness centres, and more. Plus, optional rental programs can help offset costs when you’re not using your cottage.
It’s not a timeshare, it’s your cottage, your memories, your place.
At Great Blue Resorts, we’re proud to give memories to generations of families. Family Traditions Start Here.
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