Port Huron - Code Word for Happiness! Sandy Feet Cottage, Steps to Lake Huron
(29 Reviews)
- Minimum stay:2-4 nights
- Sleeps:8
- Bedrooms:3
- Bathrooms:1
- Property type:Cottage
- Internet:Yes
- Pets considered:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
About the Property
3 bedroom, 1 bath updated vintage cottage, loads of charm, short walk to beach
Relax at Sandy Feet in a living room with leather couch, large screen 'smart' TV, board games & puzzles, a new kitchen, dining room, bathroom with shower, and sunroom/enclosed porch (with a small view of the lake). Located across the street from Lake Huron, a giant deck wraps around two sides of the house with gas grill, umbrella table, chairs, and loungers. The huge yard, great for badminton, bocce ball & croquet, also has a fire pit for evening bonfires. There's a garage with bikes, scooters, and all the beach toys & games imaginable for the young and young-at-heart. Grab your lightweight wagon with beach chairs, towels and cooler (provided) and head down the block to the paved path to the beach where you can gaze over miles of open water, with it's ever-changing waves & sand. And there's no better place on earth to sip a cup of morning coffee and watch the sun rise.
Sandy Feet Cottage is in a superb location in Fort Gratiot Township on the 'north end,' only 1 mile from the mall and all of the major superstores and restaurants (both local-owned favorites & all the chains) - and less than 5 min. to Starbucks, Barnes & Noble Books, and Krafft 8 Movie Theater. You're in downtown Port Huron in 10 minutes, with all of the great shops, restaurants, farmer's market, River Walk, marinas and more. The picturesque vacation village of Lexington, with their great summer music series, quaint shops, fun beach and long pier walk is only 15 - 20 minutes to the north of Sandy Feet. And for those visitors not from SE Michigan, it's no more than 60 minutes to Tiger Stadium and the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit to catch a ballgame or professional theater.
This charming cottage has antique wicker in the sunroom, local vintage postcards on the walls, a very unusual antique 'ranch hand's' bed, mission rocker, maple Shaker dining set, and other retro touches. But there also is a new 'smart' tv (49' in lvg rm) with Netflix and Hulu Plus access (provided), a recently-remodeled kitchen with microwave and all needed small & large appliances, a Bluetooth music system (streams music from apps like Pandora or Spotify or play your own stored tunes in your smart phone or tablet), washer & dryer (supplies provided), and high speed internet augmented with an additional router to be sure there is plenty of strong Wi-Fi access for all of your devices. We want you to be able to relax on your vacation, so in addition to linens & towels (both bath & beach), all paper goods, shampoo, soap, spices, coffee, tea & hot chocolate are provided. There's even extra sunscreen, bug spray, toothpaste, & deodorant if needed! Cozy throws & blankets are located throughout the cottage, but a new gas forced-air furnace will make Sandy Feet toasty in an instant. And for those 'dog days' when fans & the lake breeze are not enough, there's central air conditioning. Vintage, yes, but re-imagined for the 21rst century.
In the spring of 1919, Harry S Truman returned from duty in World War I & married Elizabeth 'Bess' Wallace. The couple spent part of their honeymoon at the Harrington Hotel in Port Huron, MI. Their daughter, Margaret, wrote in her biography of Bess, 'For the rest of his life, whenever Harry Truman wanted to regain the radiance of those first days with Bess, he simply wrote 'Port Huron.' For him it was a code word for happiness.' It's our code word for happiness too, and it will be yours as well as you discover the Blue Water region and all that it has to offer on your beach vacation.
Owner
Member since: 2014
Property Type
- Cottage
- 1000 sq. ft.
House Rules
- Max. occupancy 8
- Pets Not Allowed
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Beds for 8
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Master Bedroom: 1 king
Large closet & dresser in addition to luxurious king bed...moreless
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Bedroom 2 - Beach Room: 3 twin/ single
2 XL twin mattresses plus 3rd twin trundle, large closet...moreless
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Bedroom 3 - Bunk Room: 1 child bed, 2 bunk bed
1 bunk bed with 2 twin mattresses, plus 'skinny' twin bed...moreless
Entertainment
Theme
- Away From It All
- Family
- Historic
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
Attractions
- Churches
- Cinemas
- Duty Free Shops
- Festivals
- Library
- Marina
- Museums
- Playground
- Restaurants
- Synagogues
- Winery Tours
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/Bank
- Babysitter
- Fitness Center
- Groceries
- Hospital
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Services
Leisure Activities
- Antiquing
- Beachcombing
- Boating
- Gambling Casinos
- Miniature Golf
- Paddle Boating
- Photography
- Scenic Drives
- Shelling
- Shopping
- Sight Seeing
- Walking
Location Type
- Lake View
Sports & Adventure Activities
- Cross Country Skiing
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
- Parasailing
- Pier Fishing
- Sailing
- Scuba Diving Or Snorkeling
- Snorkeling
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Water Skiing
- Water Tubing
- Wind-Surfing
Dining
- Dining Room
- Seating for 6 people
General
- Hair Dryer
- Iron & Board
Kitchen
- Microwave
Outside
Location
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Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
- Attraction
- 4.6 miles to rental
- View on map
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Fort Gratiot County Park
- Attraction
- 2.0 miles to rental
- View on map
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Pine Grove Park & Huron Lightship
- Attraction
- 5.8 miles to rental
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Freighters Eatery & Taproom
- Restaurant
- 5.0 miles to rental
- View on map
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Kates's Downtown
- Restaurant
- 6.6 miles to rental
- View on map
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Fuel Woodfire Grill
- Restaurant
- 6.6 miles to rental
- View on map
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Cavis Restaurant
- Restaurant
- 6.7 miles to rental
- View on map
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Brass Rail Bar
- Restaurant
- 6.5 miles to rental
- View on map
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Ymca of the Blue Water Area
- Attraction
- 7.4 miles to rental
- View on map
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The Vintage Tavern
- Restaurant
- 6.7 miles to rental
- View on map
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Country Style Market Place
- Attraction
- 3.1 miles to rental
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Water Tower Sports Pub
- Restaurant
- 12 miles to rental
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Everything Classic Antiques
- Attraction
- 6.3 miles to rental
- View on map
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The Exquisite Corpse Coffeehouse
- Restaurant
- 6.8 miles to rental
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Cheap Charlie's
- Restaurant
- 1.7 miles to rental
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The Raven Coffeehouse
- Restaurant
- 6.9 miles to rental
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Dive Inn Sports
- Attraction
- 7.0 miles to rental
- View on map
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Mama Vicki's Coney Island
- Restaurant
- 7.0 miles to rental
- View on map
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PoHo Paddle Company (SUP Rentals)
- Attraction
- 4.2 miles to rental
- View on map
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- Restaurant
- 6.6 miles to rental
- View on map
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Casey's Pizza & Sub Shop
- Restaurant
- 6.4 miles to rental
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Lakeside Park
- Attraction
- 3.4 miles to rental
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Lighthouse Park
- Attraction
- 4.7 miles to rental
- View on map
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Lexington
- Region
- 15 miles to rental
- View on map
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Great Lakes Maritime Center
- Attraction
- 7.1 miles to rental
- View on map
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Day Break Cafe
- Restaurant
- 2.8 miles to rental
- View on map
Car: Recommended
The Blue Water area is a year-round destination! The beach and waterfront on Lake Huron & the St. Clair River are amazing no matter the season. There are festivals & fairs in all of the nearby towns nearly every weekend in June, July and August (Yale Bologna Festival, Lexington Art Fair, Floatdown, Antique Yard Sale Trail, & many more) and lots of fall, winter and spring events & activities as well (Festival of Trees, St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl & Parade, Tom & Jerrys during December at the famous Brass Rail Bar, fresh apple picking, cider mills and Christmas tree farms). Port Huron's most famous July event is the Bayview Yacht Club's 'Port Huron to Mackinac Sailboat Race', the largest freshwater sailing event of its kind in the world. With over 300 contestants, the event brings boaters and tourists from all over the world to what has become a week-long festival of parades, vendors, and parties. And the start off of the race happens right in front of the beach at Sandy Feet Cottage!
Sixty miles north of Detroit, Port Huron is the seat of St. Clair County. St. Clair County is known as the Blue Water Area because its eastern and southern boundaries are formed by the waters of Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair. The St. Clair River forms the natural boundary between the United States and Canada. The river flows along the southern part of the city until it reaches the twin Blue Water Bridges under which is the mouth of Lake Huron.
The bridges link Port Huron to Sarnia, Ontario making this beautiful community unique. These magnificent side-by-side spans offer unlimited opportunities for year-round fun and recreation. The views are pretty incredible, too! The huge freighters from all over the world that make their way through the river & under the bridges are a breath-taking sight. More freighters pass under the Blue Water Bridge than flows through the Suez and Panama Canals combined. The historic Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (1829) is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, and tours are available May through December. We also love the tours of the historic lightship, the Huron.
Sandy Feet Cottage is located in Fort Gratiot Township, with not only the small, neighborhood beach (shared with just a handful of vintage cottages on our block), but lots of other free, large beach options just a few miles in either direction. These larger park facilities (city, township, county and state parks) have hiking trails, playgrounds, concession stands and more; and all less than 5 miles from the cottage. Port Huron and views of the St. Clair River are just a few miles to the south of the cottage, with its restored Main Street of quaint shops, antique stores, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Lexington, with it's wonderful marina, free public beach and more quaint shops (and numerous music events & festivals in the summer) is located just 15 - 20 minutes north of Sandy Feet Cottage.
These are just a few of the many recreational, sporting, eating, relaxing and plain old fun that you can have while vacationing in this terrific region. Or, there's always books, games, puzzles and simply resting at the cottage on the beach, on the porch or around the campfire at the fire pit. Do lots or nothing at all!
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2014
About the owner: We left Port Huron in 1989 for the shiny lights of the big city (Pittsburgh, PA), but our heart and home was always in the Blue Water Area. This is the place where we had our first jobs, met, fell in love, did a bunch of community theater, got married, bought our first house and made a lifetime of great friends. We kept returning most every year since leaving, renting various cottages and staying with friends. Whenever we returned, it just felt like coming home. Over the past 25 years, we've grown up and so has Port Huron. It's now a major tourist location with many beautiful (and free!) beaches, lots to do along the river and lakefront (we love the lighthouse), and an increasingly-dynamic downtown with great antique stores, shops, restaurants & coffee shops. For convenience, there's the Birchwood Mall and the vast assortment of superstores on the north end less than 1 mile from the cottage, which was just farmland, Cheap Charlie's, Kmart and McDonald's when we left. We found that with each visit, we found more and more to do and see in this fabulous region as well as visiting with all of our wonderful friends.
Why the Owner Chose Fort Gratiot charter Township, MI, USA:
In addition to Port Huron, we've traveled the world renting homes, cottages and apartments, all across the US and in Sicily, Turkey, Ecuador, Canada, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal, Mexico, France, Germany, Nicaragua, Belgium and more. After years of renting others, it's great to have a cottage like Sandy Feet to call our own, and to share with family and friends, both old and new!
The Unique Benefits at this Cottage:
Sandy Feet charmed us with the many features that have been unchanged over the past 80 years - the proximity to the beautiful Lake Huron, a little-used beach in a quiet residential neighborhood of cottages & homes, the three giant trees in the yard (especially the enormous pine tree in front), the great wood wainscoting in the 'Beach Room' (original living room), the log wood-grooved exterior visible on the enclosed porch and the Bunk Room, and the original wood front door with beveled glass and skeleton key. And the fact that it's at the end of dead-end private street with a spacious yard and huge deck. As time goes on, we plan to continue restoring this 1935 cottage back to more of it's historic origins while enjoying all four seasons along Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. Mostly, we plan on relishing more opportunities to come back to our heart's home.
Contact us
Send email
Photos
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![Sandy Feet, built in 1935 under a soaring pine at the end of a row of cottages]()
Sandy Feet, built in 1935 under a soaring pine at the end of a row of cottages
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![Sandy Feet becomes 'Snowy Feet!' Perfect for cross-country skiing, hockey & more]()
Sandy Feet becomes 'Snowy Feet!' Perfect for cross-country skiing, hockey & more
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![A perfect sunroom with sliding doors & screens on three sides]()
A perfect sunroom with sliding doors & screens on three sides
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![Living room includes 'smart' tv w/ Netflix access, games & puzzles for all ages]()
Living room includes 'smart' tv w/ Netflix access, games & puzzles for all ages
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![Generous walk-in shower with plenty of hot water and water pressure]()
Generous walk-in shower with plenty of hot water and water pressure
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![Meals at Sandy Feet can be on paper plates or colorful china - any occasion!]()
Meals at Sandy Feet can be on paper plates or colorful china - any occasion!
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![The master bedroom, with king bed, is a spacious retreat.]()
The master bedroom, with king bed, is a spacious retreat.
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![The front view of the 'Beach Room,' looking out towards the lake & door to porch]()
The front view of the 'Beach Room,' looking out towards the lake & door to porch
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![Bathroom comes complete with all towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo and more]()
Bathroom comes complete with all towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo and more
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![Bunk Room sleeps 3 with 2 twin beds & 1 'skinny' bed, & vintage nautical accents]()
Bunk Room sleeps 3 with 2 twin beds & 1 'skinny' bed, & vintage nautical accents
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![Cement path leading from the road to the beach - only 1 short block from cottage]()
Cement path leading from the road to the beach - only 1 short block from cottage
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![Truly no better place to enjoy your morning cup of coffee or tea]()
Truly no better place to enjoy your morning cup of coffee or tea
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![A gas grill, firepit, and vintage croquet set are all available at Sandy Feet]()
A gas grill, firepit, and vintage croquet set are all available at Sandy Feet
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![View from the front porch, looking towards the lake]()
View from the front porch, looking towards the lake
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![Vintage wicker is cozy & comfortable for reading, playing cards, drinking coffee]()
Vintage wicker is cozy & comfortable for reading, playing cards, drinking coffee
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![Seating for 3, & another small table (perfect for puzzles or kids) off to left.]()
Seating for 3, & another small table (perfect for puzzles or kids) off to left.
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![*Complete* kitchen- we love to cook, so it's outfitted well w/ all that's needed]()
*Complete* kitchen- we love to cook, so it's outfitted well w/ all that's needed
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![Master bedroom with view looking on to porch & the lake]()
Master bedroom with view looking on to porch & the lake
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![A luxury resort loans you robes, but it's sweatshirts when you're on the beach!]()
A luxury resort loans you robes, but it's sweatshirts when you're on the beach!
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![Need space for a third person? Just pull out the trundle drawer for another bed]()
Need space for a third person? Just pull out the trundle drawer for another bed
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![The second 'extra long' twin daybed in the Beach Room - for lounging or sleeping]()
The second 'extra long' twin daybed in the Beach Room - for lounging or sleeping
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![The rare, antique 'Ranch Hand's Bed' that is the length of a twin but skinnier!]()
The rare, antique 'Ranch Hand's Bed' that is the length of a twin but skinnier!
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![You're nearly there...]()
You're nearly there...
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![Lake Huron - a raging tempest or as calm as a duck pond. Mackinac Race Day, 7.15]()
Lake Huron - a raging tempest or as calm as a duck pond. Mackinac Race Day, 7.15
VRBO #633335
This listing was first published here in 2014.
Date last modified - Thursday, May 25, 2017
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