Private Island Getaway! Sleeps 4

Property description

NEW IN 2016: Screened in porch, Satellite TV + all new outdor furniture, lounge chairs and tables.
******SLEEPS 4**************
Escape the ordinary vacation. Relax or be adventurous. Fish your heart out! This historic (1800s), 2 bedroom, cedar log cabin is nestled within a 2 acre rustic private island on the Michigamme River. Electricity, running water, land-line phone and WI-fi are some of the creature comforts on this rustic island. Enjoy the wildflowers and wilderness. Rustic Decor. High beam ceilings. Kitchen, breakfast bar, bathroom with shower, plus a gorgeous natural wood-burning cobblestone fireplace warms the living room. TV (2 channels)/VCR/DVD. Linens provided. An open mind and flexibility are keys to fun here.
Electricity, running water, a land-line phone and now new wi-fi internet are some of the creature comforts on this rustic island. Enjoy the wildflowers and wilderness. Rustic Decor throughout. High beam ceilings. Kitchen, breakfast bar, bathroom with shower, plus a gorgeous natural wood-burning cobblestone fireplace warms the living room. TV (2 channels)/VCR/DVD. Linens provided.

An open mind and flexibility are keys to fun here. The island is only Water-access only. Be your own captain! One of our boats will be waiting for you, as you vernture off to the Island. A Jon boat (best in low water), pontoon**NOT guaranteed (best in high water) with electric motor, canoe, aluminum boat are all provided for your sole use during your stay. We try to keep all the boats running at all times, yet Spring and Fall are the times that it is most challenging. If you need a specific boat (i.e. pontoon) to have the fun you dream about, then the Island may not be your best choice. Flexibility is not just nice virture, yet a necessity.

Off-street and alongside road parking. Republic Island is the home of excellent fishing, bird watching (a bald eagle nests nearby), and canoeing.

Requirements for Island: You are able-bodied enough to be able to drive/row the boat/canoe, if needed. Plus you should have decent agility to walk up and down the uneven walkways. A positive, flexible attitude is essential for a good experience. As a Special Education teacher by trade, I wish we could find a way to accommodate all abilities in the Republic Island experience. While you do not need to be an athlete, at least an average level of agility is definitely required in order to have a positive experience for you and your family.

Off-street and alongside road parking. Republic Island is the home of excellent fishing, bird watching (a bald eagle nests nearby), and canoeing.

Ojibwa Casino: 1 hour, 8 miles East of Marquette or Kewadin Casino in Baraga: 1 hour Northwest of the Island.

Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises: 1 hour 45 minutes (Munising)

Dog sledding: 1 hour 45 minutes (Munising)

Snowmobiling: Enjoy 25,000 miles of trails

Visit the Historic Republic Mine: 2 miles

U.S. Ski Hall of Fame - Ishpeming: 14 miles

If you'd like to visit the Island with more than 4 people, we do have a 1/2 duplex in the town of South Republic, just 6 miles South of the Island. The duplex has 3 bedrooms-sleeps 8 total. We also have a 5 bedroom/4 bath Lodge in Rapid River (1 1/2 hours Southeast of the Island.) Call for details.

Getting to our Island is via a boat: You must have at least average agility. plus a relaxed, open mind to have a positive experience.

Getting to and from the island: You can park your car in either the off-street parking or along the small asphalt road. The boat landing is approximately a 8-10 foot walk down to the dock. Then, hop in the boat and either row or use the motor over to the island. It is approximately a 5 minute row or a 1 minute motor ride (approximately 100 yards). Once you've crossed the river, from the dock to the cabin on the island is a casual winding walk of approximately 50 feet up to the cabin.

*Boats and motors subject to change without notice for required maintenance or environmental needs We can guarantee that you will have transportation to the Island, yet we cannot guarantee that all modes will be available when you arrive. We do our best to ensure that they are all available and that the motors are in working order.

*If there is not someone in your group who is willing and able to row/paddle (if needed) 100 yards to the Island, then the Island vacation may not be for you.

The Island Experience: The Island is very quiet. There are many times you can hear silence. An American Bald Eagle has nested and flies near the Island. If you are interested in the Island, you need to keep in mind that you are actually in the wilderness. Nature abounds, creatures great and small are part of your experience.

The Island is ideal for out-doorsy couples seeking romance and peace or for small families who love to fish with creature comforts of home. Beware: If ANY member of your group is not out-doorsy, or is afraid of the sounds, sites or smells of the wilderness, then your trip will be contaminated. The Island is too small of an area to escape from negativity.
**Everyone in your group must be able to entertain themselves (fishing, reading, exploring nature, non-selective TV/DVD watching) in order to enjoy the Island experience.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Animals: Yes, there are all kinds of animals that like to roam around the island. While you don't see most of them, you have to be someone who is comfortable in that true rustic, outdoorsy environment. This is not Disney World. We have seen snakes (non-poisonous), mice, squirrels, otters, beavers, skunks and a raccoon. You are on a secluded parcel of land. While we haven't seen any moose, deer or bear actually on the island, it's not an impossibility. We do our absolute best to keep all the critters away and out of the cabin. We do not use Decon within the cabin due to pets and children being part of our family of guests. Fall is the biggest challenge as the little critters, including mice, are looking for a warm place to stay the winter months. We are vigilent about keeping critters at bay, and are always open to suggestions.

Bathroom: Even though the Island is rustic, we do have a normal toilet and sink with a neat shower that has you surrounded by the logs of the 1800s. We even have a wonderful, heated floor in the bathroom. The bathroom has the historic drain slope of the room, which was customary at the time of new, indoor plumbing, though we have tried to maintain the historic feel.

Beach/Swimming: There is NOT a traditional sandy beach around the Island. Personally, I truly wish there was a way to make that happen. We've done our best to create a peaceful experience, yet being on a flowing river, there isn't a simple way to maintain a sandy beach. My apologies. We recommend that people head into town (2 miles) to enjoy the sandy beach area in Republic when they want to swim in a traditional way on a beach. Plus, to be honestly, the river bottom is generally muddy, so it isn't the ideal place to enjoy traditional swimming. If you are an excellent swimmer, we do enjoy taking the pontoon boat out into the middle of the river, with the 1-2 mph current, jumping in and swimming around, yet I wouldn't recommend that for anyone who isn't a strong swimmer. The middle of the river is 20 feet deep.

Boats: Ideally, basic boat knowledge is needed for the island. Still, a ton of patience, a flexible attitude and sense of humor can make it work as well. Generally the SPRING and the FALL are times where pontoon boat use is limited. There will be at least 1 boat available for your sole use, and we have up to 4 boats that may be available. I'm sorry, we can not guarantee which boats will be available for your use during your stay.

There will be one of the following boats available (yet no guarantee on which one), there is a :

*pontoon boat with an electric motor (you must still be able to row, if needed.)

* jon boat (flat bottom)

* old-school 14 foot fishing boat

* canoe

Boats: Ideally, basic boat knowledge is needed for the island. Still, a ton of patience, a flexible attitude and sense of humor can make it work as well. Generally the SPRING and the FALL are times where pontoon boat use is limited. There will be at least 1 boat available for your sole use, and we have up to 4 boats that may be available. I'm sorry, we can not guarantee which boats will be available for your use during your stay.
There will be one of the following boats available (yet no guarantee on which one), there is a :
*pontoon boat with an electric motor (you must still be able to row, if needed.)
* jon boat (flat bottom)
* old-school 14 foot fishing boat
* canoe

Considering bringing your own boat? Bring an extra dose of patience and flexibility. There is a gravel launch within 1/2 mile and a nice cement launch 2 miles away, right off of MI-95.
Bugs: Yes, there are bugs on the Island. There are mosquitos. The Island vacation is not for everyone. It is for true outdoorsy guests who are flexible and love an adventure, while enjoying many of the amenities of an historic cabin.

Cell phone service: Cell phone service is generally unreliable in the Upper Peninsula when you travel outside of Marquette and Escanaba. Therefore, we have a land line at the cabin with unlimited local and long distance service.

Children: Our experience has been that kids either absolutely love or hate the Island experience. The kids who can entertain themselves, don't need TV or electronics for fun and love the outdoors (especially fishing) think they are in heaven. It's the best trip of their lives. On the flip side, I've had even one parent leave early because her kids were so bored and therefore she couldn't relax. Plus, they were scared of every sound and never wanted to leave the cabin. We just added Dish TV, so hopefully, this will ease some minds. I just like to make sure everyone is aware of the pros and cons to the Island experience. It isn't Disney World, yet I've been surprised at how many people have that expectation. It is important to us that our guests have the best experience possible. Again, depending on the ages of your kids, it may be ok. There is just a lot more to consider when we rent to the Island with families in mind. I'll admit that it wasn't the easiest place to be when we had our 5 year old with us. It's getting easier each year, though between 1-4 years old, it was huge challenge. Our little Luke loves to explore and wander. There are steep parts of the island. We just have be extra-vigilant when he is there.

Distances:

* Pictured Rocks: 1 hour and 45 minute drive

* Marquette: 45 minutes (northeast)

* Ishpeming: 20 minutes

* Iron Mountain: 45 minutes (south)

Dock: The docks are floating docks. Due to the fluctuation of the river levels, we are not able to control, yet do our best to control the placement of the docks. During the late summer/fall, and the Michigamme River can be low and muddy. We advise you to please bring boots, plus your patience between mid-August and October.

Fishing: Generally the Island has very good fishing. Small mouth bass, walleye, perch, pike and pan fish are what most of our guests report catching. If you are a trout fisherman, trout can be caught in the upper Michigamme River. Most tributaries have brook trout that flow into the Michigamme, yet it is not a trout stream per se. I would recommend our Tioga Falls Cabin if you are interested in trout fishing.

Fishing poles: I would advise you to bring your own fishing poles to the Island. While we normally have fishing poles there, I can never be sure. At times there are many, other times I can't find one. They pop in and out, get left outside and on the boats. If it's important for you to fish, please bring your own.

Grocery Store: The closest, full-sized grocery store is about a 1/2 hour drive from the cabin, Ishpeming. It is the IGA Jubilee right on U.S 41. If you are driving from Wisconsin/Chicago, the last grocery store is in Iron Mountain.

There is a little store in the town of Republic, about 15 minutes from the cabin, yet there isn't a large selection, and the prices are convenience-store equivalent.

There is a larger convenience store/BP Gas station on the corner of U.S. 41 and MI-95, about 20 minutes north of the cabin.

Hammock: We do have a hammock on the Island. I love it! Enjoy!

Internet: Wi-fi is on the Island! Personally, I do think it is good to disconnect from technology for a while, yet I listened to our guests and realized that many do need to check in with work while they are vacationing.

Linens: Yes, we provide your sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you are fussy about the thread count of your sheets, just let me know, and I'll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillow cases and bath towels.

Parking: You can either park your car in the off-road parking spot or alongside River Road. We highly recommend that you pull into the parking space, just in case one of the logging trucks drives by.

Pets: Yes, we do accept dogs, yet we do ask that you please clean up after them both inside and outside the cabin. Plus, if you allow them on the furniture, we do ask that you please bring your own linens/blankets for them to sleep on. Just let us know which bed you will be using with them, and we'll make sure it is ready for your sheets when you arrive. Plus, if the pet hair starts to build, we do ask that you please run the vacuum. Generally, dogs love the Island with all the water and places to explore. Their food does tend to attract mice, so vigilance is needed.

Space: Our 1100 sq. ft. log cabin on a 2 acre Island, it is IDEAL FOR 2-4 PEOPLE. It is considered very tight for 6 people, and therefore I do not recommend 6 people on the island together. The island experience is unique in that it brings out the true essence in people when they truly have a chance to get away from it all. Still, six different personalities, especially if they aren't in one family unit can bring out conflict. There are people who feel claustrophobic on an island, even though you can literally see your car 300 feet across the river. We have always had very positive feedback from couples and small families. It's an ideal, private get-away.

Towels: Yes, we provide towels. It's always good to bring extra though.

Washer and dryer: No. It's on my wish list.