This is the 5th year we have rented our Spacious mid 60’s A-frame cottage ourselves. The house is located in Good Hart, Michigan, 18 Miles North of Harbor Springs on one of the most secluded waterfront beaches you will ever find. The house sits at the edge of the forest with an almost 180 degree view of lake Michigan. From our NEW HUGE 25' X 25' sun filled deck with gas grill, table & chairs you look out over 250’ of beach grass covered sand dunes to our wide sand beach. With only 2 other houses on the road, quiet and privacy surround you. The main living-dining room with attached kitchen are dominated by the same light and view as the front deck. The covered back deck faces into the quiet forest. The master bed/bath room with big closet is behind the kitchen. Overlooking the main room is a high-ceilinged sleeping loft. The lower level has another bedroom, a bathroom, laundry, closet, & a garage for the storage of your outdoor gear. Out front is an outdoor shower & hidden behind the first dune is a fire pit area to enjoy
We have done a bit of work on the house in the past 2 years. In Spring 2012 we enlarged the front deck so it now has a main area that is 25' X 25'. New Deck furniture and grill completes this new outdoor living room. We have new dining room furniture and seating for 7 inside and out. In the summer of 2011 we purchased other new furniture and bedding. Then we installed new TV, phone and wireless Internet appliances allowing you to connect with the world when and if you have to. But if you choose to disconnect from the world ... the light, view and privacy will actually help you be away from it at all.
When you are here the water is right there out front down the path 250 feet away. The big sand point out front varies year to year and month to month. It can go out 100 feet and be 20 feet wide or, as shown in our winter 2011 pictures, it can go out 700 feet and be 100 feet wide. If the point is large it's because the lake level is low and Yes you might have to walk a bit further to get into deeper water. We do not have a large rocky beach like you find many places 'Up North' so swimming is always easy here. There will be some smaller stones on the sides of the point exposed by the waves. Usually sand builds up one side or the other of the point so it is easy to walk into the water almost everywhere on the point. You can walk up and down our beaches here, go for miles if you choose. When you decide to sit and swim pick a place you like, just respect the other neighbors up and down the beach and try to stay near our area.
You can easily walk your Kayak or hand held gear to the beach. Jet skis can only be put into the water at the Harbor Springs (18 miles south) or Cross Village (6/7 miles north) loading docks. It is very hard to put any kind of a sailboat beside a sun or sail fish size boat in the water here. The reason being the water is shallow and it is hard to pull something up onto the beach. This is also not an area where you can anchor a boat in the water. When there is a storm...
In this Scenic Northern Michigan area you have easy access via M-119 and the famous 'Tunnel of Trees” to Bicycling, Golf, Fishing, Tennis, Kayaking, River Rafting and just about any other outdoor activity. There are several antique stores in the area. In the Spring you are surrounded by forests filled with the white Trillium flowers. In the fall you are surrounded by the intense fall colors and the sounds of the lake.
The amenities of Harbor Springs and Petoskey with their shopping, restaurants and cultural activities are but 20 to 45 minutes south of the house. Kayak and bicycle rentals are available here thru 'The Outfitters' in Harbor Springs.
Nearby Pond Hill Farm offers a wonderful local organic produce and specialty food items.
Your daily newspapers, coffee and sandwiches etc. can be found at the Good Hart General store 3 miles south along with several other small stores.
Cross village 6 miles to the north has the famous Leggs Inn with its Polish food, music and their outrageous bar. Here also is the closest gas station and another bigger general store. Highly recommended is the 'Tree Pines Art Center'. This gallery has a large selection of local artists work on display and numerous workshops for classes for children.
Sturgeon Bay, a few miles north of Cross village offers more clear water to swim in, sandy beaches and giant sand dunes to explore by foot. When the winds are blowing Sturgeon Bay without a doubt is the best local spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Further north is famous Mackinac Island only 30 minutes away.
Eating out at the 'Douglas Lake Bar and Grill' near Pellston is worth the 30 minute ride. It is our favorite place for the best local fish. 'The Fish' on State rd is half way to Harbor. ' Moosejaw' has the Pizza and Burgers you need some times. The 'Family Style Fried Chicken Dinner' at 'The Dam Site' allows you to experience an older style of dining and see the only MOD 60's High style Cocktail bar in Northern Michigan. It has to be seen to be believed.
Our house is able to hold 7 guests at a time. If your party has more then 7 people we are not going to be able to assist you our house is just not big enough.
Renters must supply their own bed linens for our 2 Queen, 1 Double and 1 twin beds
Smokers are welcome but outside please.
Dogs are considered, we just need to talk before I say yes.
The A-Frame has wireless Internet, Satellite TV, Radio/Stereo with Iphone/mp3 Player dock stereo.
