WELCOME!! Important Rule: Relax, Have FUN, and be sure to Let me Know if You need Absolutely Anything!

SUNSCREEN and LINENS: I know it seems weird--and I'm really NOT super picky--but we have had to replace many white sheets and towels because they turn orange from people using them with sunscreen on! Please shower first, esp. if you have light sheets, and use regular pillows for your head, not the decorative ones with pillow shams. Thanks! Also, the seats on our couch don't zip off for washing, so we really appreciate minimal food or spills on them as a good dose of red wine would mean replacing the couch. Thanks so much, again.

No red wine or stain-creating food around leather or upholstered furniture.

ABOUT SWIMMING AND BOATING

I love to swim off the pier and have done so with a passion for many years! Many guests enjoy swimming here or floating on the inflatable raft. We provide big, fun floaty things since the bottom is muddy. I swim off the pier many months of the year; however, there are some important caveats, and ALL WATER and BOATING ACTIVITIES are undertaken at your own risk. Please read the following if you are considering going in the water:

Please bring your own safety flotation devices (life jackets) for children of all ages or adults who are non-swimmers. We do provide life jackets in various sizes and thickness as the Coast Guard requires that they be with you while in watercrafts; however we cannot guarantee them, especially for children or people who cannot swim. We love that our guests seem to be very careful and use lots of common sense. YAY!

No children under 12 on the pier without life jacket or very close supervision of an adult. (Children in the yard at any time must also have adult supervision.)

The ladder can be slippery and barnacles can sometimes build up and be sharp, so you may need water shoes. You can expect the bottom to be deep "silky mud" (I like it!).

DO NOT GO IN THE WATER WITH A FRESH CUT OR SKIN LACERATION due to bacteria that is sometimes found in the Bay.

NO DIVING OFF PIER OR JUMPING OFF SIDES OF PIER!!!! Experienced swimmers may jump off the end with great care if you FIRST TEST WATER DEPTH as it can change with the tides and become very shallow (plus bottom is very muddy and could have glass in it so wear water shoes if you put your feet down).

Occasionally there are sea nettles here (mildly stinging jellyfish that show up for a few days or even a few weeks (RARE) in late summer, usually for a day or two in July or August; but they’re definitely gone by mid to late September.

Kayaks and canoes are leaning against my house and are there for you any time you want to go out - -two single closed kayaks and one double open (ocean) kayak that is a little heavier (the double can also be made into a single).

I’d love to help you get set up for kayaking if I’m home, and to know that you're going out and for how long. Feel free to text me when you're planning to go out. Most folks like to go out toward the bay if it's not windy and turn right -- there's a little sand bar/island there and another creek to paddle down, or just take a left and go into the other half of our creek. These kayaks maneuver best if you put the paddle up near the front of the kayak when you want to turn. Don't go far out into the bay.

Please drop your kayaks at the end of the pier. Hold rope and go down the ladder which can be slippery or have sharp barnacles (if that's too difficult, you can launch off of the shoreline, but that causes erosion). Be careful and wear water shoes if possible.

FIRES: No burning candles except what is provided in glass or 'pretend' candles. Never leave candles, firepits, or wood stove burning unattended, or let chairs be close enough to have sparks landing on them. Be sure to put caps on Tikki Torches and only burn firepit with cover on it and someone supervising. Douse it when no one is around.

Make sure door on wood stove are closed when no one is around. If there is any smoke coming into the room, it means the wood needs to be pushed back further do not use it as an open fire without a screen in front of it (unless embers are very quiet and nothing is likely to throw a spark into the room).

SMOKING: No smoking in the house or garage, or within 100 feet of the house or waterfront. All our guests have lots of fun, but somehow they've done that without being super loud or drunk. I love that, and like it to be a continuing tradition that fits our peaceful setting.

LET US KNOW!: Since we just bought and renovated the cottage, there is still an occasional loose end that has not come together yet, which is why we are keeping the price low. So patience would be the first rule, and to let us know privately if something is not perfect so we can accommodate you immediately if possible, and also keep improving for future guests. So far, the guests have loved it, and have continued to let me know what they need as we are scrambling to make sure it's great.

No events without written authorization from owner, and may incur extra charges.

DOGGIE RULES: We do love doggies, and hope you have a fun, sweet time with yours and ours while you're here. We are also aware of the potential for damage and extra cleaning so I take it pretty seriously since we JUST remodeled!

Please bring a clean blanket or two to put under them if they will be on furniture, and close bedroom doors to keep them out of bedrooms unless they are in there with you.

Dogs should not be left alone in the house, unless they are crated. Also they need to stay out of the water and be on leashes all the time when outside (unless we are letting them play with our puppy Winnie and they are all engaged and supervised, or hanging with you and it's very clear they won't run off anywhere). Let us know ANYTIME they want to play--Winnie LOVES other doggies and LOVES to play.

Guests are required to pick up their dog's poo -- thx.

IMPORTANT: If our dog, Winnie, is outside playing with yours, we request that you do not introduce any dog toys. Also if you invite Winnie to come on your porch or in your house with you, please pick up any toys or food or water bowls on the floor. Dogs here all seem to get along great, but if there's an issue, those seem to be the main triggers.

Thanks!!