Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take…
Bob Clarke and Marnie have been cottaging in Muskoka for over 35 years. Marnie’s parents’ cottage was on Mary Lake and while they were dating they went to the cottage every possible summer weekend. In 1987, at the ages of 24, Bob and Marnie bought 2000 feet of shoreline and 50 acres on Big Island on Lake Vernon for $35,000.00 (which was borrowed!)
A year later, the property was subdivided into 7 lots and all sold the following summer. With the proceeds, the Clarkes purchased a vacant lot on Lake Joseph on the Joe River. In the first year, they built a 40 x 60 foot single slip dock by hand – without power! The following year they built a 1400 sq ft post and beam and completed most of the work themselves with the help of family and friends. That was the northern home until 1998 when they sold and started purchasing vacant lots and older cottages for renovation around the Big Three lakes.