Now retired from education, Merle together with husband Ron, decided to open their chalet-style cottage to bed and breakfast guests. And, yes, you really are in the tree tops – it's quite an experience sitting on one of their several balconies. One guest room, the fresh green-and-white Pine Room, with king-size bed and en suite bathroom has French doors opening onto one of the balconies. The twin-bedded Birch Room, with cream-and-mauve flowered comforters, has access to a balcony just outside its door. No balcony in the cream-and-green Oak Room but your view is through mature oak and pine trees to the lake beyond. It has a queen-size bed. All rooms are carpeted and have comfortable beds, original paintings and good reading lights. Though there are three rooms, at any one time the Bezoffs only book the king room and one of the two others, with private bathroom.

Your arrival is occasion for the Bezoffs to offer refreshments and get you settled in. They want their bed and breakfast guests to have the Muskoka cottage experience, so you'll find lots of cottagey things to do; swimming, reading, canoeing, dock-sitting, trail-walking and slightly further afield, tennis courts, golf courses, boat cruises, and restaurant dining. Or you might just like to set awhile in the new sitting room with fireplace and windows on three sides. In the evening, you can discuss your latest favourite book, play a game of bridge or simply watch the sunsets or star gaze from the dock. Cottage life in a nutshell.