7 Sustainable Activities for the Cottage
Introduction
In this second installation of Cottage Staples, we will be exploring some activities to enjoy at the cottage if you are trying to be more environmentally friendly next long weekend.
Trips up to the cottage are best when there are lots of fun activities to keep everyone busy. But many of the usual pastimes involve some sort of environmental damage; whether it be oil leaking into the lake or emissions being pumped into the air. Fortunately, there are many things to do at the cottage that do not have these impacts. Let us take a closer look at what some of them are.
Biking
Source: Cycling Magazine
The first item on this list might be obvious to some of you. But if you are new to your cottage neighbourhood and want a quick way to explore, a bike is probably your best option.
Bikes are a much greener alternative to the ATV’s and golf carts that are increasingly popping up in cottage country and are a fun way to get some exercise.
However, bikes can get quite expensive, so I recommend checking Kijiji or Craigslist for cheaper used alternatives.
Canoeing
Source: Cottage Life
There is something special about an undisturbed lake. No loud motors, obnoxious wakes disturbing the shoreline, and most importantly no gas and oil leaking into the water.
So if the lake is calling you, consider venturing out in a canoe rather than a noisy power boat.
Also, it is a great way to get exercise, but if that’s not your thing you can attach a transom mount electric motor and silently make your way through the waves knowing that you aren’t harming the animals below.
Kayaking
If a canoe is a bit too big for your liking, a kayak is a great option.
There are many different types to choose from including sit-in, sit-on-top, and dedicated versions for fishing and riding rapids.
The great thing about kayaks is that they are light enough for most people to carry by themselves and their smaller size compared to canoes makes them easier to navigate through narrow or fast-moving water.
Fishing
Source: Gear Junkie
For as long as humans have been living near water, we have gone fishing. And well now it may be more for leisure than as a source of sustenance, that does not take away from the appeal of being able to relax out on the water and maybe even provide dinner for your family.
One important note is to make sure you have familiarized yourself with your local regulations in terms of what kinds of lures/bait you can use and how many fish you can keep. And always remember to practice safe fish handling practices so if you plan on releasing the fish, it will swim away unharmed.
Hiking
If you want to get as close as you can to nature, nothing compares to a walk through one of Canadas vast forests. And, if you are in southern Ontario, there is probably a hiking trail within a half hour drive, even if you live in the city.
A great tool for checking which trails are nearby is an app called Alltrails. I use it whenever I want a new hike!
Board games
Playing a board game with friends and family is probably my favourite way to spend a rainy afternoon at the cottage. Whether it is an intense game of Catan or a laid-back round of go-fish, board games and card games have a special way of brining people together and are the perfect addition to a great cottage weekend.
Some of my favourites include: Settlers of Catan, Point Salad, Dutch Blitz, and Scrabble. But if you want to keep it simple a standard deck of playing cards can provide hours of fun!
Reading
Nothing is more relaxing than curling up on a fall afternoon with a good book and a hot drink. And, the best part is, when you finish your book, you can just pass it off to the next person in your cottage party for them to enjoy!
If you are interested in books with an environmental theme, check out The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert and Lakeland by Allan Casey.
Conclusion
As always, thank you for reading. If you want to take your cottage to the next level of environmental sustainability, consider checking out our microgeneration wind turbine, the Anorra, and start producing your very own clean energy! Feel free to reach out with any questions.