DeRuyter Lake (10 min south of Cazenovia) - A paradise getaway log home
About the property
- House3200 sqft
- Bedrooms4
- Sleeps12
- Bathrooms2
- Half Baths1
- Minimum Stay2 nights
4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2 showers, sleeps 12, HUGE Living/ Dining Rm, seats 1
As of 4/20/15, we now have two bathrooms with showers and a 1/2 bath along with a 16x30 deck!
We strongly advise you to obtain trip insurance! 25% down is required to reserve your dates(non refundable) and the balance is paid on your credit card 90 days from your arrival. If your booking date is less than 90 days, the entire rental fee is due to reserve your dates.
Ideal for church retreats. Discounts offered during the off season for them.
Before Accepting Any Reservation, A Phone Interview Is Required By The Owner.
DeRuyter Lake Area is ideal for biking, swimming, sailing, fishing, sleighing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, 2 downhill skiing centers and 4 golf courses are with in 15 min. Family reunions or vacations, wedding party, business retreats, and vacations. • kayaking, horseshoes, pool table. • 3200 Square feet • Acres with trails and scenic views, miles of snowmobile trails • several State Forests near by, tree swing and house for kids • High-speed wireless, • Large kitchen and HUGE living room • Cozy indoor fireplace and outdoor bonfire area, enormous dining room seating 12, DVD, VCR, TV • laundry room, unique kid's playroom they will love • Baseball Hall of Fame, Glimmer glass Opera and Fingerlake tours an hour away, Experience living in a post & beam cedar log home. 4 hrs from NYC, Buffalo, Montreal, Harrisburg
This Is A Non Smoking Home! No pets allowed being too many risks associated for our home, family and other guests. We do live with one cat who lives elsewhere during your stay. We are meticulous about cleanliness with frequent cleanings of carpet and upholstery along with airing out the house of dander.
****We Are Not Interested In Renters Looking For A Beer Party Location, but People Who Understand Respect For Another's Home And Neighbors Even Though They Are 800 Ft Away.*****
With the home up the hill 800 ft from the road overlooking the lake, our lakefront is about 2/10 mile down the road that is private and spacious with 3 kayaks, canoe, rowboat, paddleboat and life jackets for your usage.
Sledding during the winter on our driveway is the best around. Pickup Truck taxi rides up our 800ft driveway in the winter for sledding cost extra. Your kids will love it!
DeRuyter Lake:: DeRuyter Lake is 10 miles south of Cazenovia tucked in the rolling hills of central New York. We are far enough in the country for privacy and yet only 30 minutes from the Syracuse, Cortland or Oneida city life. The Finger Lakes and Ithaca are less than a hour away also. Cooperstown is about 1hr, 20min. away.
Owner
Shawn Skeele
- Response rate:
- 100%
- Response time:
- within one hour
- Speaks:
- english
- Calendar last updated:
- Apr 17, 2018
About Shawn Skeele
The land this house resides was my grandfather's 100 acre lot bought in the late 1930's and put in a family trust for future generations. With God's hand of provision, I moved my family back to the lake to raise buying 6 acres overlooking the lake. My older brother and I built this log home in 2002. My wife and I homeschool our kids. I'm part owner of the family insurance agency established by my grandfather in 1957 being a 3rd generation owner desiring to carry on a multi-generational vision. I grew up on the other side of the lake, went to Houghton College in western NY, started my own business for 13 years and moved back in 2001 to nurture and expanded my family insurance agency.
Shawn Skeele purchased this House in 2002
Why Shawn Skeele chose DeRuyter
This Post & Beam Cedar Log Home speaks for itself. It's private, isolated, custom made with a layout that is open and spacious being ideal for family reunions or retreats. For me, it's like coming home to a vacation property everyday. The view of God's creation and animals outside standing anywhere in the house is breath taking. With deer, foxes, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, eagles, hawks or chickens, you never know what you're going to wake up to or see during the day. We have awesome sunsets as we relax from the day's events giving thanks reflecting at the wonder and beauty around us. You have a great variety of activities with family and friends. Enjoy the lakefront down the road with swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and lake scenery. Up at the house, have a big bonfire, gas grill some steak, rest in the hammock, play horseshoes, roast some smores, tell stories and jokes or just enjoy the scenery. Inside, play some pool while watching a game, use the exercise equipment, nap, enjoy the open spacious rooms and deck. Oh, and enjoy the scenery overlooking the lake. We have a beautiful playroom for the kids, barbie house, penned up ducks-chickens-rabbits-geese to view, play on the swing set, sandbox, games galore and wifi. All this is just at the house. Syracuse, Cortland and Oneida are just 1/2 hour away. Ski resorts, golf courses, state forests with trails for hiking, biking and skiing, elegant restaurants 12 minutes away, true Italian pizza in 5 minutes and freshly made bread every day at the bottom of the hill by our neighbors. During the winter, our 800 ft driveway is the best sledding path in all central NY! All four seasons provide refreshing perspectives about this creation made just for us. We look forward to sharing it with you for a spell.
What makes this House unique
A restful, peaceful, tranquil, fun, spacious, Post & Beam Cedar Log Home experience awaits you, family and friends. Call me with your questions and how we can make this an ideal vacation.
Amenities
- Internet
- Air Conditioning
- Accessible
- Heater
- Fireplace
- Satellite or Cable
- Kids Welcome
- Washer & Dryer
- Parking
- TV
- No Smoking
Bedrooms
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12
- girl's2 twin/ single
- guest's1 double, 1 twin/ single
- master1 king, One the main level next to a full bathroom
- boy's1 queen, On the main level next to the full bathroom
- We have 5 spare mattresses you can pull out if needed. There is plenty of room to lay them out in the basement playroom, the living room in front of a cozy fireplace on a radiant heat floor that will lull you to sleep and a large walk in closet off the master bedroom. All sheets, pillows, quilts etc will be supplied and housekeeping arrangements can be made. New! - Pool table and in house exercise equipment, boflex PR1000
Bathrooms
- 2 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bath
- Bathroom 1toilet, combination tub/shower
- Bathroom 2toilet, combination tub/shower
- Bathroom 3toilet
- All bathrooms come with everything you need. Just bring your own toothbrushes. :)
Location Type
- Lake2 miles long, 1/2 mile wide, ski, kayak, sail, fish, canoe or enjoy the serenity.
- Lake ViewNo matter where you are in the house, you have a breath taking view no matter what time of day.
- LakefrontWe have a paddleboat, canoe, rowboat and 3 kayaks with life jackets for your pleasure. The lakefront is 2/10 mile down the road from the house on the hill overlooking the lake.
- Rural
- Ski-OutWe have on ski center just 5 miles away and 3 others in a 30 minute radius.
- Water View
- WaterfrontLarge lakefront just 2/10 mile down the road, private, ideal for young kids being very shallow 40 ft out before dropping off.
Theme
- Away From It All
- Family
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- Linens Provided
- Air Conditioning
- Basic Soaps
- Broadband Access
- Ceiling Fans
- Clothes Dryer
- Computer Available
- Filtered Water
- Fireplace
- Firewood
- Fitness Room / Equipment
- Garage
- Hair Dryer
- Heating
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Laundry Soap
- Alarm Clock
- Living Room
- Local Maps
- Mobile Phone
- PC
- Paper Towels
- Parking
- Safe
- Shampoo
- Telephone
- Thermos Bottle
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Water Cooler
- Wireless Internet
- Wood Stove
- fax
Kitchen
- Kitchen
- 4 Ring Stove
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Blender
- Microwave
- Oven
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Stove
- Toaster
Dining
- Dining
- Dining Room
- comfy seating for 12 people
Entertainment
- Piano
- Audio Tape Player
- Books for Adults
- Books for Kids
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Game Room
- Games
- Games for Kids
- Books
- Pool Table
- Radio
- Satellite / Cable
- Stereo
- Television
- Toys
- VCR
- Video Library
Outside
- Lawn / Garden
- Beach Chairs
- Boat
- Boat with Paddles
- Canoe
- Child's Swing
- Deck / Patio
- GolfWe have 4 golf courses within 20 minutes
- Kayak / Canoe
- Binoculars
- Outdoor Grill
- Outdoor Grill Gas
- Pedal Boat
- Sand Box
- Ski & Snowboard
- TennisTennis court in DeRuyter 5 minutes away
- Walkway to Water
- Water Sports GearLife jackets for all sizes
- Wood Deck
Suitability
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- Low Allergen Environment
- suitable for elderly or infirm
- wheelchair accessible
Attractions
- museums
- autumn foliage
- cinemas
- coin laundry
- festivals
- forests
- library
- live theater
- churches
- playground
- pond
- restaurants
- synagogues
- water parks
- waterfalls
- winery tours
- zoo
Leisure Activities
- paddle boating
- antiquing
- gambling casinos
- horseback riding
- horseshoes
- outlet shopping
- bird watching
- photography
- scenic drives
- sight seeing
- sledding
- walking
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- massage therapist
- medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities
- mountain biking
- basketball court
- equestrian events
- fishing
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- golf
- golf privileges optional
- hiking
- hunting
- ice skating
- jet skiing
- cycling
- mountain climbing
- pier fishing
- sailing
- scuba diving or snorkeling
- ski privileges optional
- skiing
- snorkeling
- swimming
- tennis
- water skiing
- water tubing
- wind-surfing
Notes
- Daily maid service can be arranged and negotiated. There is a local massage therapist 15 minutes away and will do house calls if desired. There are 4 golf courses with in a 15 minute radius too. Pontoon boat rides can be arranged for a small fee if neighbor is around. This Is A Non Smoking Home. We Are Not Interested In Renters Looking For A Beer Party Location, But People Who Understand Respect For Another's Home And Neighbors Even Though They Are 700 Ft Away. Before Accepting Any Deposit, A Phone Interview Is Required By The Owner. If you don't see something listed that you desire to do or want, please call me and ask. We probably have it available near by or I might be able to arrange it before your coming.
House Rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Cancellation Policy
Canceled bookings will not receive a refund
24 Reviews
Latest reviews
Great location, good space for large family
Pros: Great location, with unbeatable lake view. Plenty of beds and bathrooms for a large family. Great indoor and outdoor space for kids. Proximity to Cazenovia is super. Very clean.
Cons: Living room furniture could use updating. A screen door for the kitchen/ deck area would make the space much easier. The biggest con is that the owner is a bit overbearing. He visited the home twice during the stay (5 day stay) under different pretenses, but it seemed like he was "checking in" to make sure we weren't criminals. Kind of offputting as a renter. Because of that, we would not rent from him again. No hard feelings, please, this is simply an honest review. You pay a lot to rent a house and expect some privacy rights as such.
Dear Sue,
I want to profusely apologize for making you feel that way. I certainly value the issue of privacy having built the house up the hill 800 ft away from any neighbor.
I texted you before each of the two out of the norm visits and you indicated no problem. I understand now you were just being polite to me and the uncomfortable position I obviously put you in. Usually, after greeting my guests upon arrival, they don't see me until check out so I can get the group's comments and wish them well.
For those reading this, the first permission request to visit was a day after the group's arrival to replenish the chocolate (none in there) we keep in a bin for the smores' along with crackers, marshmallows and long forks for all my renters. I advertise this online and with every initial phone conversation before booking. I honestly forget to replenish the chocolate before their arrival and when talking with my cleaner, she reminded me. I texted Sue telling her I would like to drop off the chocolate that day. I met her daughter (who got married, congrats) at the door and gave her the chocolate. If no one was there, I would have just put it outside the door out of the sun being unusually cool that day.
The second out of norm visit request on the fourth day, I texted Sue if it was possible to retrieve an item of my son's from the locked storage room in the basement involving a father/son event that afternoon we had planned. This obviously was my oversight and I should have just improvised otherwise. In my text, I indicated if it was inconvenient, "It was no biggie". She indicated no problem and was going to be gone cleaning up the reception location from the wedding the night before.
In retrospect, Sue, I can understand your thinking and again apologize that this was even a concern of yours.
A screen door to the deck is a good idea and has been on the agenda. I wanted a Adirondack animal carved scenery wood screen door being a log cabin but haven't found anything appealing locally and reasonably priced. I will apply a little more effort in my search.
Regarding the living room 3 piece set: This was a fall budget item and unless providentially hindered, we will be getting a new set(looking at leather this time) and giving the current set to my daughter and son-in-law as still quite functional.
Sue, I would certainly welcome you and your family back being a very polite, clean and cooperative group.
The Perfect Vacation
We stayed in this house the first week of August with two families with and five little kids (ranging 0-4). This house had everything we needed for our group. From toys to games to the beautiful large yard complete with a swing-set and sandbox everyone was kept busy.
The lake is down the road which was great as we felt it was safer with the little kids. There was a nice grassy area for the kids to play on at the lakefront and plenty of boats to go around.
Thank you Shawn our great vacation!
Dear Mimi,
It makes our hearts smile hearing how our home and amenities help facilitate the nurturing of relationships with family and friends. I thank you for the 5 star rating not taking that for granted. I know we will not always meet every expectation of everyone, but we try to custom tailor the home for each group depending on the ages and dynamics we are made aware of during the phone interview and following conversations leading up to one's stay.
Please consider a winter stay in the future especially as the kids grow. We have the best sledding hill in CNY! Also, there's 4 ski centers (5 to 30 minutes away) from the home. The Christmas Tree is provided all December and first half of January. The view is even more spectacular with the sparkling snow covered tree limbs and watching the family in an all out snowball fight in the front yard or "friendly" family football/soccer game. :) As always, we have plenty of dry wood and smores' supplies for the evening gathering as everyone reminisces from the day's events of fun and possibilities of tomorrow.
Appreciatively Yours,
Shawn Skeele
Good rental for 2 families.
Overall the, property is nice and has a good view of the lake. Everything was clean and organized and the grounds well kept. We enjoyed the lake access, but keep in mind its almost a 1/2 mile walk from the front door. It was great to have use of the boats, and many of us went out on the lake on them. I would advise any future renters to carefully review the size of their group and the bedrooms available. I would consider this no more than a 2 family rental. There are two good bedrooms on the first floor. The upstairs loft is more suited to children and teenagers and the downstairs to children. I would recommend finishing the downstairs bedroom if intended for renters. The rafters above and one wall are not sheetrocked although it is tidy. During our stay in the summer, it was a little dank in the basement, needing a humidifier running all the time. We had no issues with bugs and the weather turned out great.
Thank you for your comments. I would like to address a couple of them for potential future renters as some of your expectations may have not been met which we try to go to great lengths to avoid. On all my sites, I try to make it crystal clear that the house sits up on a hill about 800 feet from the road overlooking the lake. On the site and the required interview that I have with each group, I reiterate that the lakefront is about two blocks down the road from my driveway where there are three kayaks, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat located for everyone's usage. Most of my renters find this appealing as there's no worry with kids straying off accidentally into the lake and they tend to stay together doing things together when going down to the lakefront. Also, I make it clear that the lakefront water is very shallow the first 40 feet out getting no higher than my hips. This is ideal for young kids also who are not experienced swimmers.
Regarding the beds, I purposely take a picture of each bedroom (4) and the beds so that everyone clearly understands the sizes and where they are . I state on the website and again with the phone interview that we have single mattresses, totaling five, that can be made up and placed anywhere in the household that is conducive for the group. This provides a great amount of flexibility especially when it comes to kids as to whether you want them altogether in the loft or downstairs or with the parents or a combination.
Regarding the basement and the dehumidifier, I show every group the dehumidifier that does run continuously until full and will shut off automatically. I demonstrate how to empty the water bucket when it fills up. If this is not done, then the basement will feel dank after a couple days of not running especially if humid weather.
The basement living area is not completely finished on every wall as shown on the website pictures but very functional for the bedroom/playroom and pool table room. As funds permit, we are slowly bringing this to be fully finished. We decided it was a higher priority to first finish the full bathroom in the basement (2015) and then proceed with everything else. My hope is that the one wall and ceiling in the playroom will be done by spring of 2018.
I hope this will clear up any future misunderstandings or expectations as it is our intention to be as accurate and forth right about the property with all it has to offer.
Breathtaking scenery, remoteness, beautiful log cabin, kid friendly, lakefront to fish, boat,swim
We had looked at over 100 properties in New York and this beautiful log cabin and surrounding property hit everything on our wish list for a perfect vacation. We were a party of 10 including 4 kids between the ages of 3 and 8 years old and this property was perfect for our whole family. Looking out at the beautiful lake and mountains every morning filled our hearts and minds with peace . Truly breathtaking !! The yard was huge and had an amazing fire circle overlooking the lake. There was so much to do in the yard for kids and adults alike: badminton, horseshoes, fire circle, basketball, play set, sand box and lots of room to run around. We liked that the lakefront was down the hill as we felt it was safer with young ones. We just loaded up our vans and drove less than a minute down the road. The lakefront was so great for little ones. It was shallow 40 feet out so the kids had a ball playing in the water. We took out the kayaks, rowboat and paddle boat as we fished and boated around the beautiful lake. By the way the fishing was great as several in our party caught fish. Or we just spent some quiet time on the swing by the lakefront. It was so tranquil and peaceful. A local told us that this week was unseasonably chilly for this time of year so the children swam only a couple of times but the weather did not stop us from fishing and boating everyday. 2 of our children live in New York and said this lake was the warmest they have been in. It is crystal clear from the mountain springs. The log cabin, which was built by the owner, Shaun, is beautiful and huge. The kitchen was amazing and had everything . You do not need to bring anything but your food. The living room comfortably held all 10 of us and the 4 bedrooms were perfect for our family. The children 's bedroom downstairs is a dream for little ones with the bunk beds, play house (2 levels) and every toy imaginable . They spent hours down there. Shaun also provides a ton of videos and board games too . Shaun was amazing in that he was readily available to answer any questions or help in any way. He is very kind and he truly looks at this beyond just a business venture. He also looks at it as a special ministry to help folks reconnect with family and to find respite in their hectic schedules. Staying at his home provided both for us. Truly best vacation we ever had as a family as we all came back refreshed in our souls, restored in our hearts and renewed in our minds
Dear Joe & Deb,
Given some of your recent circumstances in life you shared, I was particularly thankful that your time at our home was a positive experience for all ages. We never know the circumstances, anxieties and worries that people bring with them and how they may be impacting their relationships with those valued most, but we hope to provide a venue that gives relieve, comfort, healing and perspective. Thank you for sharing with me and others in the small role we were able to facilitate your vacation goals.
It's amazing meeting people,literally from all over the globe, of like mind and kindred spirit.😊�
Appreciatively Yours,
Shawn
Gorgeous View with Lots of Space
We rented this house to be near friends and family who live on the lake nearby. Our group of grandparents, parents and 3 kids (ages 4-14) had plenty of room. There was a king-bedded master bedroom, a full-sized bed with attached powder room, and an open sleeping loft above the living area. The loft had 2 twin beds for the girls and a floor mattress for the little guy.
An additional bunk-bed in the basement can hold more people, plus there's a full bath on that level.
The two bathrooms and the powder room seem to have been renovated recently and are in nice condition, with good shower pressure and plenty of room for guest toiletries in the master bathroom. The house has abundant towels and dishcloths plus a laundry room.
There are some special features to this house that make it excellent for travelers with children.
Our kids loved the swings in the yard, the open deck and the wealth of toys and games provided. There are perhaps a hundred board games and puzzles, from Chutes & Ladders to Boggle to Taboo and Apples to Apples.
In the basement, there's a playroom with fantastic toys for little ones, including blocks, castle sets and nerf guns. The piano and pool table were also much enjoyed.
We spent our time with friends and family on their docks and boats, so we never saw the waterfront area that goes with this property.
The kitchen is very well supplied with everything a family might need to prepare and serve meals. We appreciated the excellent cookware, the coffee maker, toaster oven, dishwasher and other equipment. We could easily fit 8-10 people at the kitchen table and there was room for everyone at the picnic tables on the deck, where there's a good gas grill for barbecuing. We were very appreciative of this amount of room for our large, multigenerational gang.
The owner was very responsive to any questions during our stay.
Dear Claudia,
Thank for staying at our home and leaving it in such good condition. We are glad to hear when all the generations enjoyed themselves with all the amenities we have to offer. Please keep us mind for a winter visit as we have the best sledding hill in central NY! We supply the Christmas tree too, you provide the presents. 🙂�
Nice place to stay
Our family kept busy while we stayed at Post & Beam. We had from age 6 to 77. The host / owner had many things to keep the kids busy when it rained and / or in the evening. Two closets of toys and board games and a small closet of crafts. Half of the family went fishing / swimming at the lake during the daylight hours. Again the host / owner provided kayaks, paddle boat, and a canoe. Other family members went sight seeing to places like the baseball hall of fame, a zoo, hiking, and went to see water falls! Great time had by all!
Thank you for staying at our home. We're glad all had a good time and made good use of all the amenities we have to offer for many ages.
Thank you for being good caretakers of our home also.
Appreciatively Yours,
Shawn Skeele
Location
DeRuyter Lake - A paradise 9 room post & beam cedar log home with lake access in the Appalachian hills of Central New york, 22 miles from Syracuse. Perfect for family and class reunions, executive retreats, workshops, or romantic getaways. Area is great for biking, horseback riding, sledding, snowshoeing & cross country skiing, downhill skiing & snowmobiling trails are nearby. Syracuse is home of the Erie Canal Museum, MOST Science Center, Syracuse Stage Playhouse, Carousel Mall, and SU Orangemen Basketball & Football. • lake access, fishing, kayaking. • 3200 Square feet • Acres of trails, scenic views • perfect for Croquet, badminton • High-speed wireless • Large Modern Kitchen • HUGE Living room • Enormous dining room seating 12 • TV, DVD, VCR • laundry room • beautiful, comfortable furnishings, pool table, in house exercise machines • Syracuse, Cortland and Canastota only 30 minutes away * Baseball Hall of Fame, Glimmer glass Opera and Fingerlakes tours an hour away. Other Activities: golfing, kayaking, skiing, biking, hunting, fishing, pool table, in house exercise machines. During the off season and no holiday weekends, we do offer church men, women and/or couple retreats at discounted rates. Call the owner for details.
Rates & Availability
Additional information about rental rates
This is our home. We are glad to share this beautiful cedar post & beam log home with those who respect and appreciate it. All proceeds go to fund homeschooling our kids. We are not interested in hosting any beer parties or pre-marital interludes. This Is A Non Smoking Home! No pets allowed being too many risks associated for our home, family and other guests.