Cottage in Private Beach Community Near Cedar Point and Kalahari

Welcome to "The Shipwreck House: Crew Quarters". We have had a wonderful first season and many of families made great memories. Had a few bumps along the road, but great guests made that way less stressful.

For those who haven't heard of us, let's take a step back. This property is located in an old beach community that once housed a miniature village attraction that is now called Mitiwanga. Many of these homes were built in the early 1900. Located between the lakeside towns of Vermilion and Huron, it enjoys the rural remote feel, but still only minutes from a grocery store, restaurants, quaint tourist districts and of courser access to Lake Erie. The property is less than 150 yards until you have toes in the sand. The beach is semi private as it belongs to a community of 50 or so houses that have exclusive access. There is a mix of about 1/3rd vacation rentals, 1/3 summer homes for out of area residents, and 1/3 that live there all year around. Mitiwanga is located directly between two lakeside communities of Huron and Vermilion. Each with their own charm and unique qualities. Both can be explored for a days adventure. It is about a 15 minute drive to the Cedar Point Scenic Causeway. (From there it will depend upon the traffic to get to the actual parking lot.) It is about 10 minutes to the Cedar Point Sports Complex. About 15 minutes to Kalahari. A little further drive and you can make the ferry services to the famed Lake Erie Western basin Islands of Put-in-Bay or Kelley's Island. The Cleveland JACK Casino is about an hour away. An hour will get you to the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

The Crew Quarters was completely renovated from the dirt up. My father owned 2 properties in this community and lived not far away where I grew up and where Kristy and I now reside. Dezso got diagnosed with dementia in 2017 and it fell on me to walk with him through that journey. I was dedicated to not letting his life's work fall into the nursing home black hole. Besides, we were not raised that way. It was a hard 5 years that completed in December of 2022. During his time he got to see us turn the Hibiscus House into a successful small family respite. It needed far less work than what is now called “The Shipwreck House.”

The Shipwreck house was designed to be a vacation home. The Crew Quarters are 1 of 2 spaces, but two layer of drywall and soundproof insulating will let our guest feel as if they are in a space all of their own. The Crew Quarters has the ability to sleep 10 comfortably. If most are children we could host up to 12. There is a full bath that also hosts a laundry stack and folding table. there is also a half bath near the front sun room. The hot water is on demand so the showers can be endless as you prepare for a day at the point or wash off the days efforts afterwards. Beyond that, you will find that all Offshore Breeze offering have everything you could ask for and then more.

We offer kayak rentals from our own stock on a first come first serve basis. You will have to inquire about availability and pricing. (And the water temps as well as expected weather conditions.) We try to make it so you are only charged if they are used. We do require a wavier and understanding that lake Kayaking comes with its own hazards. However, in Vermilion you will find a place to rent on the Vermilion river as well as rent Jet Skis as well. We will provide you with as much beach equipment as you need and will have access to your our offering to yourself. It is a hope that by summer end we will be able to offer sunset cruises at a greatly reduced value to our guest. But we are still working out the kinks with that. There is also a sailing dinghy that will be offered to experience sailors or arrangements can be made to rent a “Learn to sail” experience.

Me? Well, I am Dwight, Son of Dezso. Kristy is my partner in this voyage. I am a sailor, I have countless hours sailing and staying on cruiser style boats. Much of the approach to these home designs are inspired by the use of space that I gained from staying and living for weeks on end on a sailboat. It is called the “Shipwreck House” because the building inspector told us that many of the houses in the area were built using scrap lumber taken from ships that had wrecked on the shores and then abandoned. Considering how must work we had to put into making the structure viable again, it seemed only fitting. But any questions, please feel free to ask. We are pretty sociable and accommodating. I hate saying “no” and if I have to, it will always be followed by a heartfelt explanation.

We do to the extent of "at all possible" try to meet every guest. Really there is 3 reasons for that. The first is "business" and experience rated. We have had a few shenanigans in our 5 season. (People renting for other people and not who they say they are. Almost had a squatter we found out in the nick of time. Place that sleeps 6 had 9 people in it. And the dog's We love them. I've had one most of my existence in my life. They like me more than most people. we Allow 1 up to certain weight, and charge for it. People try to sneak them in.) Our rules are set up based on past wisdom given by others and past personal experience. They are designed to extending the longevity and conditions for guests to come and make the turnover time reasonable for Kristy and I. We do it all ourselves and that helps us keep the price low. Second and third reasons are far more fun. Second is that this place is stocked with so many amenities and points of interest that we can't put them all in the description. Plus can't be sure it was read. We like to give the tour pointing out the bidet and pointing out the bikes and beach equipment. Most find the tour around the neighborhood useful and help them more quickly acclimate. Especially on a 3 or more day visit, you will find the information helpful. The last is that we like to meet people. This has become as much of a hobby as an income for us. I grew up taking family vacations and have a large family all across the country. I like the notion that there are already hundreds of stories people are telling about the time spent in our circle. I have met so many great people tis past year since COVID allowed us to meet in person again. To be completely honest, there is a line between how much we COULD make renting out all year by the month and not paying utilities as well as all the hours and money spent furnishing and resetting the place. that break even point so far is not far separated. BUT, it is meeting the people and opening our space to be the facilitator of these bonding events that make it worth it for me. I work for the FAA, make a decent living, This is dad's legacy and hopefully the next generation will take up the mantel when the time comes. But in the mean time, I get to make new connections across this great country of our and some even from overseas.