Right on Lake! Beautiful, Romantic, Fun! Book Now for Summer 2014!
- Minimum stay:3-7 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
* 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. Waterfront, 100 feet from the water. Easily accommodates large families. Spectacular sunsets and views of Grand Traverse Bay. This place is heaven.
* Gameroom complete in 2011. Foosball, ping pong, Yamaha digital piano, basketball game, karaoke.
* This is the place to make memories. As one guest said, 'This has been one of the best times of my life. It just doesn't get any better than this!'
*100 feet of private beach. Kayak, sail, swim, fly a kite or walk on miles of beach right outside your door.
*Shallow, sandy waters perfect for young children.
*Tankless hot water heater provides an endless supply of hot water.
*No less than 300 count sheets and fluffy towels available.
*New furnishings, sleep 10-12 in comfort. Plenty of room to spread out.
*Grocery store 5 minutes away.
*Fine dining at nearby Rowe Inn one of Michigan's most acclaimed restaurants.
*Plenty of parking as cottage is located on 1.5 wooded acres.
*Four season location spot. Ski, snowboard, or snowmobiling, close by in the winter season.
*Boat launch 5 minutes away. Room for boat and trailer on property.
*See link under price for additional photos.
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Comments From Previous Rentals:
Hi Denise. We are home now, and enjoyed our stay up north sooo much! Everyone who visited us loved it as well. My great niece who is 8 said that she's coming back next year! So over the course of 5 weeks, we had my sister-in-law and family, my twin sister and family, our daughter and family, our son and family, 3 couples. Plus Terry and I had time to ourselves which was nice, too.
We rented a pontoon boat, and docked it at a friend's home over on Torch Lake for a week. We all double-dogged off the back, even the 3 and 4 year olds. Our kayak got a lot of use by everyone, including those 3 and 4 year olds again. The paddle boat was great. It was great having adults and children having fun together. We found lots of Petoskey stones, and all the children really had fun with that. Of course, we had our paella night, plus this year we had campfire nights. Roasted hotdogs, made individual pans of nachos, beach beans and s'mores all over the fire. I took my autoharp, and the children and I sang campfire songs for the adults. We also ordered a Blue Lagoon Floating Island which we anchored out in the water. The kids loved swimming off of it. Our challenge was deflating it and trying to get it dry during the rain on Friday, plus fitting it in our car. But we did!
We took one family into Charlevoix for kids day at the park during Venitian. And if you like Cajun food, we would recommend Pearls in Elk Rapids. Nice kids menu, too.
We did drive through Bellaire on Saturday on our way to play golf and stay at Shanty Creek before heading home. I found some neat shops which I will definitely have to visit next year.
Oh, the kids and adults loved the game room especially on those few rainy days.
Anyway, it was a wonderful time there. As usual, everything we needed was right there at our fingertips. And everyone was very careful about being neat and keeping things clean. We wanted to leave the house in excellent condition again. So excited to come back for our 3 weeks again next summer!
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Dear Denise; The house is special, there is no denying that. But what makes it even more special is your attention to detail, responsiveness to my calls, and most importantly top notch customer service. This is our third year back and each year the house get nicer; like installing the new game room. You take notice of the little things other property owners miss; and that makes all the difference.
Sonya & her family.
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Denise,
Oh my goodness, if we had had more fun it would have been a sin!! I got 'Travel Agent Of the Year' awards from my friends. We were blown away by your cottage. It was beautiful and just fit us to a T. Everyone said that this trip was the best of all 5 years prior to this one and we've gone to the Dells, Mackinac Island, etc. But what it also was was that we didn't run all over the place, going, going all the time. With all the beautiful hiking and walks on the beach, etc, we just stayed put and it was wonderful. We're all very busy women and for all nine of us to just 'be' was fantastic. I think we have decided that we want to come back again next year, but it's a little too far out to try and plan the 'when'. Several of us have grandbabies on the way and things like that, so we're not sure about when it will work for next year. We usually try for September sometime so I'll let you know!
Again, thank you so much! It was a fantastic vacation...the weather wasn't the best, but it didn't matter!! Oh, by the way, your beach might be minus a few Petoskey stones:)
Becky
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Hi Denise--We're back in Ohio and we wish we were back on White Pines Drive. We loved every minute of our two weeks there. You have created a warm, comfortable, cozy yet spacious home that we thoroughly enjoyed. We loved all the special decorating touches, especially some of the mirrors! Everything that we could possibly want was there--from the up to date kitchen to the great beds and linens to the clean, sandy beach. We played volleyball, went out on the paddle boat, and played corn toss by the hour. We ate lunch at the beach table, read books under the umbrellas and built sandcastles. The grandkids, ages 12 and 9, loved the diner/porch!
When our son and his fiance were with us the first few days, one of our favorite evenings was when we all made paella. Your kitchen provided ample room for everyone to work, and we put our paella pan right on the grill. What a great evening on the deck! We had bonfires almost every evening with s'mores. The sunsets were awesome!
The table in the family room is perfect for working puzzles. Have you tried the puzzles made by Ravensburg where the puzzle is not the picture on the box? They are very challenging, but certainly fun!
We made every effort to leave your home in the wonderful, clean, tidy condition it was when we arrived.
Thank you for creating a perfect vacation spot for our family. We want to return for the same 2 weeks next year, unless the last 2 weeks of July are available. Our son's wedding is Aug. 20, and we want to be available to them during the weeks prior to the wedding.
Jane
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Denise-- I just want to tell you how much I loved your home. It was so nice to walk into such a respectable rental. I can tell you really put your heart and soul into it. It was so delightful there- I did not want to leave. Also my husband and I are discussing next summer already and we are interested in renting it in August.. What weeks are available?
Thanks again
Lori
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Denise, we had a wonderful time and your home was even better than we hoped for. Our weather was warm and sunny the earlier part of the week so we were able to enjoy the beach and lake. It got cooler and windy on Thursday and Friday but it didn’t stop us from doing things. Sitting on the gliders on the deck and watching the sunset was truly a high point. Renting your home gave us a chance to be with our kids. As they get older and busier it’s hard to find the time. Especially since our younger son moved to Nashville.
I know you put a lot into the house since you bought it so we treated it as we would our own. Our “no shoes in the house policy” extended to yours as well!!
Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Linda
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Keywords: Water front cottage, immaculate, cozy, beautiful, family, sunset, fun, beach.
Property Type
- 2 story
- House
- 2800 sq. ft.
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Pets Not Allowed
Bedrooms
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12, Beds for 10-12
- Bedroom 1
- 1 queen
- Located on main level
- Bedroom 3
- 1 bunk bed
- twin on top and full on bottom
- Bedroom 2
- 1 king
- King bed with private bathroom
- Bedroom 4
- 2 twin/ single, 1 sleep sofa /futon
- 2 twin beds with trundle underneath one. Twin sleep sofa.
- Porch
- 1 king
- King sized sleeper sofa. Located on main floor in porch.
Bathrooms
- 3.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- toilet, combination tub/shower
- Main level
- Bathroom 2
- toilet, shower
- Master bath
- Bathroom 3
- toilet, shower
- Located in the hallway upstairs.
Kitchen & Dining
- Ice Maker
- Toaster
Amenities
- Garage
- Hair Dryer
- Iron & Board
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Books
- Foosball
- Ping Pong Table
- DVD Player
- Television
- VCR
- CD Player
Communications
- Internet
Outdoor Features
Location & View
Activities
- Cinemas
- Hiking
- Water Tubing
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Cycling
- Sailing
- Mountain Biking
- Water Skiing
- Golf
- Swimming
- Snowmobiling
- Jet Skiing
- ATM/Bank
- Wildlife Viewing
- Shopping
- Miniature Golf
- Sledding
- Sight Seeing
- Scenic Drives
- Boating
- Paddle Boating
- Walking
- Antiquing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Restaurants
- Playground
- Groceries
- Fly Fishing
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
What an amazing cottage!
What an amazing cottage!
- Guest Suzanne
- Date of stay 10/10/12
- Review Submitted 10/20/12
My husband, five year old son, and I spent a long fall weekend at your cottage. The weather was - as fall weather can be - rainy and cold...but it didn't affect our weekend! We had such a wonderful time! Your cottage offered so many ammenities - it was like a home away from home! To be honest, the listing description and photos didn't do your place justice. No pictures could adequately reflect the attention to detail and cozy decor. The cottage was immaculate and so well-maintained - your TLC was very evident. Our son loved playing on your beautiful beach during breaks in the weather. And when we were inside, he loved playing out on the "sun porch". Your kitchen offered every kitchen convenience we could have ever needed - including a coffee grinder (came in handy when I realized I brought whole beans and not ground!). The bedrooms were so comfortable, bottomless hot water tank assured we would all enjoy nice warm showers. And in this age of technology, it was so convenient having WiFi connection and a phone to use. Given the weather - and baseball playoff season - we made use of the cable on your big TV's (made my husband an very happy guy!). We did have a few questions, and your caretaker, Kim, was very friendly and helpful. The cottage was nestled back in the woods and very private. We enjoyed seeing an eagle flying over the lake and a couple of deer in the yard. We were able to take in the Charlevoix Apple Festival, which is a favorite fall activity of ours. We're excited about possibly returning for a summer stay and enjoying campfires on the beach and grilled dinners on your big deck. Such an amazing place - thank you so, so much for sharing it with us! :)Recommended for: Girls getaway, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, families with teenagers, people with disabilities.
Owner response: Andy and Suzanne, I am so glad you had a great time. Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I look forward to having you back again in the summer!!
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Magical Place, wonderful vacation!
Guest comment entered by ownerMagical Place, wonderful vacation!
- Guest Andy
- Date of stay 10/10/12
- Review Submitted 10/16/12
Denise- We had an absolutely splendid time at your wonderful cottage. What a place! It is the best place we have ever stayed, and such a wonderful and lovely location. The decorating, design and all of the small, personal touches just add to the special ambiance. Now, the weather surely didn’t cooperate – the direct opposite of the same weekend in 2011, but it didn’t detract from having a great vacation or our enjoyment of your magical place. Denise, thanks again – we a wonderful time and you have a spectacular place that we hope to visit again in the future.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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David and Sandra Ellis Howell, Mi
David and Sandra Ellis Howell, Mi
- Guest David & Sandra Ellis
- Date of stay 07/21/12
- Review Submitted 08/02/12
Denise, we just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the house, It was clean, nicely decorated, with beautiful views and a very nice beach area. I loved that it was so well equipped , dishes, pots, and pans, towels, etc. A great place to spend our anniversary week.Recommended for: Families with young children, families with teenagers.
Owner response: Sandra and David, Thank you for staying at our cottage. I hope you come again and appreciate your kind words. I am please you chose my place to spend your anniversary and that you had a great time. Sincerely, Denise
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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great family getaway
great family getaway
- Guest DK
- Date of stay 05/25/12
- Review Submitted 06/04/12
Probably one of the most relaxing vacations I've had in a while and that was with six kids in tow! Thank you Denise for opening your home to our lucky group. We had everything we needed all in one place and everyone of us thoroughly enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning again. The beach was perfect and the water calm and serene. From the popcorn maker to the diner booth and duke box in the sunroom, the massive deck table, everything was perfect for our family to enjoy. The kids begged for the gameroom when we were in but when we were out we could not get them out of the water! Barbecues, natural beach, and hanging outside by the fire every night was just what we needed. Thanks again!Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Owner response: Danny, My family and I are so happy that you had a great time. We are leaving this Saturday for our family vacation there and can't wait! The game room addition has been a big hit and every year we hope to add something special to make our guests have more fun as well as a relaxing time. I look forward to you coming again and again. Your welcome and thank you for leaving a review.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Coming back again, YEAH!!
Guest comment entered by ownerComing back again, YEAH!!
- Guest Heidi
- Date of stay 07/02/11
- Review Submitted 05/28/12
Denise, We are so excited to be renting from you again as well. You have a lovely house and it is ideal for our family. We loved how we could put our daughter down for a nap and relax in the hammock or how convenient it was to play at the bleach right up until lunch or dinner. Now that we have our second daughter, we decided to skip vacationing this summer since she is so young and we hate sticking her in the car for 9 hours, but we just could not pass it up for next year. Good thing I guess since your already booked through july 2013! It says a lot about your property... It is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it with us. HeidiDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Most relaxing vacation in a long time......
Guest comment entered by ownerMost relaxing vacation in a long time......
- Guest Danny
- Date of stay 05/25/12
- Review Submitted 05/28/12
Hi Denise just got back from a wonderful weekend at your cottage, really the most relaxing time I've had in a while. Everything was perfect- the only thing we had to go get was my father in laws prescriptions which he forgot at home! The kids loved both the beach and the game room and were crying when we had to leave. The firepit outdoors was amazing! Thank u for the wood and all the necessary amenities that go with it. I hope the other house (you also rented to us) we are staying in in July also has a firepit and the essentials we need cause it really made the evenings a pleasure! Sorry I'm writing so much now but I forgot to fill in the guest book! Guess we'll just have to come back if u allow Thanks again and best regards, DannyDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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A Wonderful Week with the Family
A Wonderful Week with the Family
- Guest Michele L.
- Date of stay 09/17/11
- Review Submitted 10/14/11
My husband, 3-year old daughter, and I spent a wonderful weekend at the cottage with both of our moms/grandmas and an aunt. The house was laid out well for our family situation, and we all had plenty of room. We all commented how much we enjoyed all of the small details of the house, which made the cottage seem very comfortable, from the well-appointed kitchen to the sand toys and games for my daughter. We used the sun porch a lot as well - my daughter got a kick out of eating at and playing in the booth. Loved the paddle boat and the beach chairs as well! Having a wireless network was also a plus for us. I'd definitely recommend this property to anyone. Denise was wonderful to work with as well. She was very responsive and gave us lots of ideas of things to do in the area. The closest city was Charlevoix (about 20 minutes), but the drive was easy. And, even though we went in mid-September when the weather was sometimes cool, the water was warm. It was a nice beach for walking!Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Owner response: Michele, I am so glad that you had a great time. Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. Please come again soon! Sincerely, Denise
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Wonderful Vacation!!
Guest comment entered by ownerWonderful Vacation!!
- Guest Sue
- Date of stay 08/28/11
- Review Submitted 09/06/11
Hi Denise! Got the security deposit check thanks. Your home is so beautiful, we had a wonderful vacation!!! Grandaughtes searched for Petosky stones, loved Bon fires and stars but the sunsets were amazing!!!! My daughter and daughter in law did get massages too! It was a great week, but just flew by!!!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful home!!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Our vacation stay at this wonderful beach house
Our vacation stay at this wonderful beach house
- Guest Steve
- Date of stay 07/30/11
- Review Submitted 08/11/11
This was our first time staying at this beautiful beach house and our expectations going in were exceeded. The waterfront is perfect, especially for our young grandchildren. A sandy beach and the lake that deepens very gradually. Great for swimming and water toys. The beach house is roomy and well appointed throughout, ranging from the ample, modern kitchen to the dining booth for the grandkids to the great bedrooms...all looking out on the lake. The new game room was also a hit for the young ones. It was a wonderful diversion for the one rainy day we experienced during our stay. All in all, a great place to stay. We will have many memories of our stay to cherish in the years ahead.Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Owner response: Stephen, Thank you for staying at our cottage. I am so glad that you and your family had such a great time. It makes me feel good to hear that my home was even nicer than you had anticipated. that the beach was great and that you enjoyed the game room. I try to make the house a special place for those who come. I hope you come again.
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Steve
- Date of stay 08/01/11
- Review Submitted 08/02/11
Hi Denise, We've settled in and are thoroughly enjoying your beautiful home. It totally met our expectations and we couldn't be more pleased. Yesterday, we canoed the Jordan River; today is rainy so we will play games and drive to Charlevoix to nose around. Loving it. SteveDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/1
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 3 night min stay |
$275 | |||||
| Peak Season Jun 14 - Aug 30 7 night min stay |
$3150 | |||||
Additional information about rental rates
Cleaning fee is $175.00. Insufficient funds are subject to $100.00 fee. The Security deposit, which is to ensure compliance with the terms of this agreement, is not to be construed as liquidated damages.
Fees:
- Refundable Damage Deposit: $300
- Cleaning: $175 + tax
- Tax Rate 6%
Cancellation policy:
Donaldson Cottage Rental Contract 1. No early or late check in allowed unless agreed upon by owner. 2. No smoking or pets allowed. 3. The Security deposit, which is to ensure compliance with the terms of this agreement, is not to be construed as liquidated damages. 4. A sixty (60) day notice is required for cancellation. Cancellations that are made more than sixty (60) days prior to the arrival date will incur no penalty. Cancellations or changes that are made within 60 days of the arrival date, forfeit the full reservation deposit. Cancellation or early departure does not warrant any refund of deposit. 5. Maximum Occupancy is not to exceed twelve (12) persons. 6. You are welcome to use the beach towels if prior to your departure you would please wash and dry the beach towels you used. Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to wash and dry the beach towels in time for our next guest. 7. Renter agrees to refrain from causing, intentionally or by negligence, any damage to the cottage, property, or contents. Any loss or damage incurred to the property, cottage or its contents, caused by the renter or their guests during the term of this agreement or by a breach of this agreement, shall be the responsibility of the renter to repair or make whole. The renter is responsible to pay for all damages in full prior to departure. 8. Renter agrees to release, hold harmless, and/or indemnify The Donaldson Family and his/her agents, for any loss resulting from any injury or damage or consequences thereof, to renter, his family, guests, friends, successors, heirs, or assignees, or anyone using the lodge or it’s associated facilities during the period described herein, at the renters invitation or consent, express or implied. 9. Renter further acknowledges that use of the cottage and its associated facilities on Lake Front property is a potentially hazardous and dangerous endeavor and agrees to ensure the safety and assume liability during the time described herein, of all persons who use the cottage and Lake, 10. To comply with the White Pines Shores association rules on display at cottage.
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
This owner accepts HomeAway's most secure form of payment.
HomeAway PaymentsSM is the most secure way to pay and automatically protects your payment up to $10,000 (learn more). Call the owner directly to confirm payment details.
Location
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- Nearest Airport: Traverse City at 50 Miles
- Nearest Ferry: 1.5 hours to Mackinac Island Ferries at 80 Miles
- Nearest Motorway: Rt 31 at 2 Miles
- Nearest Ski: Boyne City at 30 Miles
- Nearest Golf: Several courses about 5 minutes from house at 5 Miles
- Nearest Restaurant: Friske's at 3 Miles
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2007
About the owner: Todd and I have five children; ranging from 15 to 22 years of age. We have vacationed in Michigan for over 20 years, visiting friends and family. We enjoy sailing, skiing, tubing, snorkeling, water skiing, biking and walking on the beach. Michigan has provided us with a multitude of fun filled summers, year after year.
Why the Owner Chose Charlevoix:
After the twins were born we grew to a family of seven, no longer fitting in our family's home at vacation time. That prompted us to we start renting lake front homes. The last few years we have been disappointed in the quality of the homes we were renting. Some were directly on the road, dangerous for young children and quite noisey. Others were dirty and had uncomfortable beds and out of date furnishings. We decided that maybe we could find a place of our own to buy and prehaps rent out to others. After looking for over a year, we found the perfect place!
The Unique Benefits at this House:
We found this beautiful property, away from the road, surrounded by beautiful forests, and directly on Grand Traverse Bay! Many houses were ruled out due to the poor state they were in or due to the rocky beaches they were on. But this house had a beautiful sandy beach and no steps down to the water. We are close to Charlevoix and Elk Rapids, golf courses are right down the road, and there are no main roads near the house. We have plenty of parking for our family and friends and a barn with a loft that will eventually be perfect for a game room. The beach is private and one can walk for miles in either direction. It is easy to go mushroom hunting, bike riding, skiiing outside our cottage in the winter, and hunting right down the road at Antrim Natural Preserve. The huge deck has beautiful views of the water where we can watch the kids while relaxing or barbecuing. This place is heaven!
Contact us
- Primary: (303) 954-0065 (Colorado, USA)
- Secondary: 303-834-0233
Links to more information:
- CLICK HERE - 2010 Michigan Vacation
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Sailing from the beach in front of the cottage.
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Playing in the sand right outside the cottage.
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Spacious kitchen, hickory cabinets, stainless steel appliances, seating for 12
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King bed, private bath, flat screen TV, walk-in closet in master suite
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Bedroom with 2 twin beds and trundle located upstairs.
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Beautiful sun porch with bar, dining booth and king size sleeper sofa.
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Enjoy the sunset and lake views right from your enormous deck.
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Campfires are great ways to bring the family together!
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Inside acting silly, playing cards. great family time together.
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Lots of sand to play in.
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My twins getting pulled by jet skis.
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Lots of sand to get buried in.
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There are wave runners rentals near by! Tubing on the back of them is perfect!
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Back View of Cottage
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Family room takes you right out to the spacious deck!
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First floor bedroom with Queen sized bed and huge closet.
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Game Room finished June 2011. Piano, Foosball, ping pong, basketball, karaoke.
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Relax on the enclosed porch, sofa pulls out to a king sized bed if needed.
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Getting ready to play in the lake!
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Lakeside view of cottage
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Swimming in lake outside cottage.
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Kayaking right on beach outside our house.
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A fun day Kayaking.
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Date last modified - Saturday, May 18, 2013
