During your stay, you will have exclusive access to the entire house, yard, and our lakefront. We offer a lovely swimming area with zero-entry sandy beach, which is perfect for children. This is our family home, and we hope you find it as cozy and relaxing as we do.
The space
Our home features an open-concept design, with the ground floor comprising the living room, kitchen, bathroom with a shower, and closets—where you will find beach toys and towels. This floor also includes a deck with a barbecue and benches for seating.
The second floor features the master bedroom, complete with an en suite bathroom, a laundry room, bunk beds, and toddler beds for your family. This open-concept layout includes all the beds in a single room. The toddler bed has a pocket door that can be closed for privacy. Additionally, this floor has a patio that offers a stunning view of the lake, where you will find two chairs for you to enjoy the sunrise and your morning coffee.
The third floor features a second king bed, a living room equipped with a TV entertainment center, a pool table, and a bathroom with a bathtub. If needed, a full-sized cot is tucked into the corner. Extra sheets and pillows are stored in cabinets and the linen closet on the second floor.
**IMPORTANT** The "Bunk House" bedroom #3, features a twin-over-full bunk bed and does not include a bathroom. It is situated behind the main house in a separate building, accessible from the back porch. Please note that this space is best suited for an adult, a cozy option for a couple or a child accompanied by an adult, as it is detached from the main house and has an exterior door located up a set of stairs from the back of the house. You will need to enter the main house to access the bathroom. If you arrive and find that "cabin camping" is not suitable for your group, we have a full-sized cot available that can be set up in either living room.
You will have exclusive access to our yard, decks, and beach area. You are welcome to enjoy our private beach located between the dock and the ‘boat house’. The dock features smooth composite decking, making it ideal for sunbathing and splinter free for the children. We provide a paddle boat, a water bicycle, adult kayaks, children kayaks, a stand up paddle board, a water mat, and several life jackets for your use.
Guest access:
Guests will have access to the entire property and house, with the exception of two locked closets located upstairs. We may need to access the garbage container on or before trash day, which is collected on Tuesdays. We work closely with a pest control company that may need to access both the interior and exterior of the house. We will do our best to schedule these appointments to ensure that your stay is not interrupted.
Neighborhood description:
Enjoy a leisurely walk or ride your bike along the scenic 8-mile road that encircles Lake Cavanaugh, which is nestled in a beautiful forested area. The lake is located approximately a 35-minute drive from Arlington or Mount Vernon, Washington. While you're in the area, consider hiking in Darrington, exploring the stunning North Cascades National Park, taking a drive along the Mountain Loop Scenic Byway, visiting Deception Pass State Park, or sampling the local restaurants and breweries.
Getting around:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is located 85 miles away, which typically takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to drive without traffic. Paine Field in Everett (PAE) is 50 miles away and usually requires 1 hour and 10 minutes of travel time under ideal conditions. Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is a 55-mile drive that generally takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Common Questions:
I hear a siren! What is it for?
A: When emergency services dispatch the fire department in response to a 911 call, a loud siren can be heard echoing around the lake. They conduct a system test every Thursday at 7:00 PM.
Can we have a fire? Should we bring firewood?
A: As long as there is no burn ban in effect, a small beach fire is permitted. Please plan on bringing your own firewood. Our fire pit will be underwater from approximately November to April due to rising lake levels. Please do not light a fire anywhere but in our fire pit.
Do we need to bring drinking water, or can we drink the water provided?
A: Our water is potable and safe; however, we prefer to drink bottled water for taste. We provide at least one 5-gallon bottle of drinking water sourced from a neighbor's well on the lake for our hot/cold water dispenser. It is acceptable to use tap water for cooking.
It seems that the tap and shower take a while to get hot. Why is that?
A: We have a water heater that heats both the floors and the tap water. This type of water heater is more common in Europe, as it prioritizes room heating over domestic hot water. When the system switches modes, there can be a 30-second delay to prevent frequent switching during short tap use.
The advantages include an endless supply of hot water and toasty warm floors during chilly days. Additionally, it is highly energy efficient.
The disadvantage is having to wait for a minute at the sink with the tap running.
