1994: The "CABIN", later christened "THE LUUUUV SHACK"

Back to some history.  I was looking for pictures from the first five years  (1988 to 1993) and was very surprised at how few there were.  On reflection, I realized  it probably was due to the following two factors:
1)  No digital cameras yet (we owned a 20 pound Minolta 35mm, which we likely did not think to include in packing for a trip to the bush)
2) The arrival of Kevin in 1991.. probably not too keen on bringing a baby in diapers to a place with no running water, heat or electricity.
A few years later we saw the necessity and had the means to buy a solid structure to put on the property. Mike went to Kazacabana, in, of course, Kazabazua, and picked out a 14 x 10 cedar cabin that was slid into place in May of  1994.  Four years later when we moved down the road to the "cottage", the "cabin" was christened by me as the "Luuuuuv shack" as we tended to send our couple friends down the road to the private, cozy cabin.. (you know who you are :)

Mike and his brother Gerard on the day the Cabin was delivered

Put in a bunk bed for Kevin, we slept below

Built the deck and added flower boxes.. loved this place!!

2013 Renos - May 24 Weekend

I wanted to keep going with a chronological history, but I will have to interupt this train of thought with a renovation news flash.  I must say I was torn between sharing this with everyone right now, or letting them be surprised when they came to visit, but my excitement won out, and here it is.. a brand new floor in the cottage.  Considering we started out with orange shag carpet and white linoleum, then lived with plywood for about 10 years, this is pretty exciting for us.  Big shout out to Kevin McCann who was our cutter of odd shapes and end pieces.  So here is a cool before and after shot, and a few other pics, but I still think it looks better in person and can't wait for everyone to see it live. Cheers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1988 The adventure begins.

Let's start at the beginning..and a little bit of history.  When we were first married (1982) we'd love to go up to public beach on Meech Lake on the weekend, it was free and spacious, water was friendly and there was always a spot to picnic.  By 1987 about 1000 other people discovered our little secret, parking became scarce, then you had to pay to park a mile from the beach, bus loads of kids would appear out of nowhere and park themselves on your blanket, the water became oily with sunscreen... the thrill was gone.  So on a whim, Mike answered an add in the paper and went to see the "100 feet of land on Little Lake Bitobi in Northfield Quebec".  He loved it, and I trusted him, so sight unseen we signed the papers and became land owners.  I pictured a grassy hill gently rolling onto a sandy beach.

Not so much.

Okay folks, lets roll... first post after opening the cottage for the 25th summer at Lac Bitobi, and the beginning of what I hope is a fantastic year of celebration.  We have lots of things planned, some are taking shape as we speak (indoor cottage renos), some are still perculating in my brain (signature 25th anniversary cottage cocktail), but most of all we hope to have lots of folks come visit.. from June 22 to Sept 14 (less Aug 17 and 24 where we're in BC), Casa Mackin is open for guests..pick a weekend and let us know, we promise lots of fun, a comfy bed, good food and maybe a beverage or two!

Your hosts, posing for "Cottage Gothic"