D called from his dad's water tower. He told me one of the soon to be ex owners gave him the final walkthrough and a set of instructions for opening and closing the cottage. This is of course crucial when we will be leaving the cottage and its mechanics to the elements for 9 months of the year...most of them at under -20. Those experienced with this lifestyle know that certain items can be left behind while anything containing water (canned food, toiletries, medicines, etc) must be taken offsite. So anyway, the whole family was there for their "last" weekend at their cottage. The 90 year old matriach, her 2 sons, their children and spouses..D tells me you could cut through the tension and sadness in the air. The tension because one brother did not want to sell, the sadness..well, thats totally understandable. The matriach would have spent every May to end August on the island with her kids from the day they built the cottage. I am sure somewhere in that cottage there is a height chart charting their growth..and those of the grandkids. The family is closing a chapter of a 50 year book. From what I understand, the cottage for Canadians isnt just about a waterfront cabin and swimming all day..its about family togetherness across generations..its about building memories, reconvening and reconnecting. Its about frugal living within nature. Its about fun. I am a firm believer that its all about a state of mind, so you can have fun anywhere. I found it difficult to comprehend why these feelings of family togetherness have to be associated with a piece of real estate. Until I spent a few weeks at D's dad's place with random family reconvening and reconnecting. Nothing like sitting on the dock at 5pm with G&Ts while waiting for the steak to cook..life is simple and life is good. While I feel terribly for the previous owners I cant wait to make our own memories and our own height chart.