History: This property is a legal Bed & Breakfast originally called Twin Oaks B&B, since most of the interior is made from Oak wood finishes and is the only double lot in this area. It has been renovated many times with the last one creating the current size. The ranch-style house covers over 5,000 square feet of space on 4 acres of land and a 300-foot sandy beach. Eight garages on the property store most of the additional amenities. The south-facing largest part of the house witnesses gorgeous sunsets and is directly adjacent to the State of Michigan and its sister city, coincidently, Sault Ste. Marie.
The current owners took over the property in January 2022, just as Covid was winding down and they use it as their summer cottage and winter retreat. Over the next two years, they will add many things to make their cottage a place to bring families together. It is a generational thing.
Our Home is Your Home: The sunsets will grab you; the house will charm you and the neighbours will love you. Linda and Don, your West neighbours, live full-time. Don ran the flight school for decades from Sault Airport. Mary and Larry, your Eastern side neighbors are nearing retirement from teaching and accountancy. They are all great people. They love to meet you.
We try our best to connect with you before you come so we can find out how we can make your experience as good as it can be. We want your feedback at the end of your stay. After all, we want you to return and make this place a part of your future vacation plans.
Your Vacation Schedule: When you come, you will have a checklist, which we have already reviewed but it is there to ensure that you know what is included and what is not in your package. It is also our way of checking you out.
Local Transportation:
Airport: The Sault Ste Marie Airport International Airport (YAM) is only 8 minutes away. A rental car is your best option as taking a taxi (despite the short distance) is still $50 each way! If you give us 14 daysâ notice, we can arrange a much cheaper ride for $30. Many people choose to use the regional airport in the US called Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Delta Airlines service non-stop flights from Detroit Metro and Minneapolis-St. Paulâs https://airciu.com/car-rental-taxi/. One advantage is that parking at CIU on-site is free. So, flying to CIU, renting a car there and crossing the border is very economical. And if you are coming across the border by land- gas up before you come! Gas is way cheaper in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
Air Canada usually has 2-3 flights per day, though the pre-COVID times were five flights/day. It is also serviced by Porter Airlines with the same number of flights but flies from Toronto Island Airport, not Pearson. Local commuter airlines like Bearskin Airlines will fly directly to Thunder Bay or Sudbury and remote Ontario areas (which is particularly important for fishing/hunting experiences).
Car Rental: Avis/Budget and Enterprise have kiosks at the airport and rates are reasonable. SUVs are very popular so book well in advance. The car lot is to the left outside of Arrivals.
Transit: There are no direct bus lines to the airport but there is a city-wide bus service that is regular and safe.
General Info:
Septic System: This property has two very large septic systems and a large septic field due to its approval as a Bed & Breakfast. However, septic systems can break down easily if not properly managed. So, please follow the rules:
ONLY PUT IN human waste, toilet paper, dishwasher (we supply biodegradable soap), laundry water, bathing and cleaning water. The septic system cannot digest other materials.
Beach Area: Obviously, it is unsupervised. The water is not deep for the first 200 meters perhaps up to your waist. The water is very clear and clean (one of the cleanest lakes in the world incidentally). Be careful on the path down as there are no steps. though a new boat launch has been recently put in (not useable yet). The water is warmer from the middle of July to the middle of September. There is a windsurfing school a few doors down and they can take you for lessons. All the ships from Lake Superior must go by the house on their way Eastward. It is a very pleasant scene.
Wooded Area: It is normal to see deer (so be very careful driving), small foxes, rabbits, and lots of birds. IIt is important not to leave food out or in garbage receptacles. There are many cross-country, hiking, and snowmobile trails.
Bonfires: There is a metal fire pit by the beach surrounded by large stumps to sit. There is plenty of driftwood to burn and a fire starter in the kitchen. It is a wonderful place to enjoy the hot summer. However, there are regulations related to any seasonal risk, so ask before starting a fire.
Some Rooms are Locked: The host has certain rooms locked off including a private bedroom, pantry, garage and storage room. They are clearly marked.
Bugs/Mosquitos/Black Flies: Commercial spraying occurs twice yearly to decrease the bug population. Outdoor zappers are in operation at the entrances. We leave Muskol/OFF and spray next to the patio door. Obviously, keep the screen doors on and use long sleeves and pants for walks in the dusk/dawn times when the bugs can be problematic.
Night sky/ Sunsets: Simply spectacular!
Amenities and Services: Most amenities are available with 14 daysâ notice as the host must remove them from storage and replace them afterwards. The list of amenities and services are listed on each page of the Welcome Package. Some are complementary and some require a small cost.
The additional amenity cost is calculated for the entire stay as opposed to a single-day use unless specified (e.g., a Virtual Reality system is $20/day but this must be multiplied by the number of days for the rental. This does not include tax.)
Some of the amenities have a fixed deposit related to possible damage. Some amenities will have an insurance waiver or consent to operate (e.g. motorized crafts).
Descriptions of Amenities (additional costs may apply- marked with *. There may be seasonal or availability issues so we apologize if your requests are not fulfilled):
Four twin mattresses (one with a frame) that can be put down for extra guests
Foam or Feather pillow
Food: A grocery list, we will have it ready for you with your fridge and cupboards stocked â payable by cash + $20 delivery fee
Vegan: We have a completely separate supply of plates, utensils, pots/pans and cooking items for vegans ($5/day for stay). We are vegan and we know how important it is to have separate items
Nespresso and pods (available between Oct-Mar)
Additional people cutlery: up to 12 people ($3/day for stay)
Musical Instruments
Upright digital piano ($25/ day for stay)
Sound system ($50 /day for stay)
Musical instruments- guitars, drums, percussion,
($50/day for stay)
Board Games included: Jenga, Clue, Monopoly, Sorry, Cribbage, Blokus, Cranium, Twister, Connect4, playing cards
Additional games ($1/day per game per stay) Risk, Chess, Rummoli, Balderdash
Additional packages of print paper ($10/per package only)
Pool Room: Included
Pool table
5 pool cues and one extension cue
Chalk and Table Brush
Snooker and regular pool balls
Outdoors Included:
Indoor/Outdoor Table Tennis (in front of the bldg. outside covered)
Two rackets + 4 balls (drawer next to fridge)
BBQ Grill (propane not included), tank, and three utensils
Muskoka Lawn Chairs (3)
Outdoor Concrete Picnic Set
Outdoor Lounge Set + Pillows (pillows are stored in the pool room)
Outdoor Mosquito Lights (2)
Beach Rake (next to patio door)
Bonfire Pit with log seats
Kayak and paddle for one person
Super soakers (3)
Games Room (included):
Furniture: Three recliner armchair leather couches with bottle holders
Two dehumidifiers
Foosball
Air Hockey
72â Smart wifi/basic cable with remotes
Dart Board with three sets of darts
Additional Games (not included and have a small fee):
Virtual reality ($20/day times # days stay)
VCR/Beta/DVD/Wii ($20/day times # days stay)
50+ DVD 30+ VCR tapes (complete list at the end)
Bar Fridge ($10/day times # days stay)
Outdoor Games (not include and have a small fee):
Electric bike ($10/day times # days stay)
Regular adult bikes (2) ($5/day times # days stay)
Spikeball ($3/day times # days stay)
Screened in 20-foot Trampoline ($75 dollar set up fee only)
Inflatable kayak for two people ($10/day times # of days stay)
Inflatable party float with drink holders for three people ($5/day times #
of days stay)
Life Jackets (sizes XXL, XL, Adult M, 2 Junior)
We love dogs. Dog items included:
Doggy Station (next to the front door)
Extra bed
Extra Authority food for mature dogs
Three chew toys (when available)
Urine cleaner
Body leash for medium pet
Towel
Blanket
Treats (when available)
