Riverhouse cottage with falls, river swimming and hiking trails

We bought the Riverhouse and surrounding land in June 2022 from neighbours who lived upriver from us.

Our great exodus from the city began in June 2020 when we pitched our tent to live close to our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren during the pandemic. In fact Kim and I, while we lived in our tent for 4.5 months, built gardens and with the help of an some Amish builders, put up a 20 foot by 24 foot cabin across the field from the family farm in the Hamlet of Cooper. Previously we had lived and worked in Toronto for 40-years.

Both of us had been involved in the arts for decades bringing music and story to children and families through concerts and CDs, even won a few awards along the way. We no longer do that work but still we love to sing.

Kim has been Continuum teacher (a movement and breath practice) for decades and has a passion for health, and ways to move through tough personal stuff in life. We work together as mentors with couples who have challenges in their relationships. Both of us see individuals who are needing support for the journies they're on. I was a co-founder of a not-for-profit community building organization that worked in school communities to create more inclusive schools.

When we lived in Toronto our home was more than a home. Red Canoe Studio was a place for people to gather, a spot for people to attend in workshops and seminars from yoga, martial arts, authentic movement, grief work, music, art, and social justice work. People could come simply to recharge themselves. With parks and restaurants, the lake a short walk away, people found our relaxing home in the middle of a city.

We also rented our Toronto home out with VRBO and had guests visit from all over North america and Europe. We hope to continue the tradition of inviting folks to our home... people who want an experience of this beautiful and unique part of Ontario.

When we turned 70 a few years ago we wanted to have a new adventure so we began homesteading on family farm land as previously mentioned. It has been a life changing experience, learning new skills necessary to live more simply, closer to nature.
In June 2022 we purchased the Riverhouse and its surrounding land (next to our family farm and cabin) with our children to help protect the land for future generations.
At the Riverhouse we live close to river and the forest.

We have had a number of careers: we've been musicians and arts educators, readers and writers. Kim still teaches movement and Jerry works with young men as a mentor.
We've been VRBO hosts and know how important it is for our guests to have clean and beautiful place to kick back in a relaxing situation. But most important we're excited about others having experiences in nature like we do while staying in the Riverhouse.

It's not unusual to spot an otter playing or bathing in the sun on the bank. So the tell tale signs of nature are right before your eyes. The cedar forest is magical and one never knews what kind of mushroom will show itself or what telltale signs of small critter will be nearby.

We love our porch for many reasons. It's so relaxing to eat meals with family, read, play games, swing on the hammock or simply fall asleep listening to the sound of the river.
It's far enough away from town that you get a sense of being away from it all and if you get cabin fever you can run into Madoc for an icecream or take in some of the other things outlined in the guide to this area.