Larks Lake Lodge:Snowy Days, Snug Stays – Winter at the Lake

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Larks Lake Lodge
SLEEPS: 9
BEDROOMS: 4
BATHROOMS: 2.5
*LAKEFRONT (Larks Lake)
*STRONG WI-FI
*PULL-THROUGH DRIVEWAY FOR TRAILERS
*SNOWMOBILE RENTALS IN THE AREA
*15 MINUTE DRIVE TO NUB'S NOB SKI HILLS
*SWIMMING ON PROPERTY (Murky bottom- MUST HOSE OFF AFTER SWIMMING to AVOID SWIMMER'S ITCH)
*PRIVATE BOAT DOCK
*8 ACRES OF LAND
*CANOE, KAYAK, PADDLE BOAT and WATER MAT INCLUDED- Available Memorial Day - Labor Day

Don't miss the chance to get away from it all in this beautiful, private vacation home on Larks Lake. This four- bedroom, two bath, two story house sleeps 9, sits on 8 acres of land and has 200 feet of lake frontage.

Flanked by woods on both sides for privacy, the property has huge lawns front and back for visitors to enjoy. The area fronting the lake is bisected by a gravel road that gives postal access to this house and 3 others further east. It does not impact the beautiful view or the amount of space for lawn games and lake access.

The open floor plan and cathedral ceilings on the ground floor, with a wall of large windows facing the lake, make this vacation home a light, airy and beautiful place to stay. Furnished with Northwoods decor, other attractive features include walk-out balconies facing the lake in the upstairs bedrooms and a loft area that provides extra sleeping capacity. There is a fully-equipped kitchen with an island and a dining table that seats 8 to 10 comfortably. There is a bar off the living room which has a wood-burning stove (as it's sole source of heat for that 1 room) and offers another gathering place to entertain friends and family.

Water conservation at the cottage is not only nice, it is essential. Please be aware that you will lose water pressure if both showers are in use, along with the washing machine and the dishwasher. This home does have a well and the pump will replenish what has been used. However, the pressure will be minimal until it has filled back up, usually about 15 minutes.

Larks Lake is 25 miles from beautiful Petoskey, a popular area for tourists in the summer, located on Little Traverse Bay. Wonderful and unique Mackinac Island is a short trip north. The area boasts ski resorts and golf courses for year-round fun. Bring your own pontoon! The boat launch is a mile away and you can keep your boat at our dock for the length of your stay. The lake itself is 600 acres of quiet, shallow and pristine northern Michigan. After a full day of boating, fishing, or playing lawn games your group will love campfires under the stars and evenings listening to the loons. Whether you seek summer boating and fishing, or autumn colors and crisp nights, or winter skiing and cozy amenities, this year-round house is the perfect place for your next get-away.

**Preventative actions to avoid swimmer's itch --
1. Use a waterproof sunscreen, baby oil, or waterproof insect repellent before swimming.
2. Briskly towel off after swimming.
If you do get swimmer's itch, use a cortisone cream to relieve the itching. The reaction subsides within a few days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Air Conditioning: This home does not have air conditioning, however, it has multiple ceiling fans throughout. In addition, there are 2 door walls off the lake which generate a nice breeze and a box fans in every bedroom for guests to use.

ATV's: Yes, you may bring your ORV's. Please do not ride them on the lawn, walking trail, or neighbors property. Be mindful of the neighbors that live here year-round and be mindful of wet conditions. If it is raining or snowing, please use extra caution when using them.

Animals: Deer, squirrels, geese, racoon, variety of birds, and chipmunks to name a few.
*We have a chipmunk friend we've named Carl who really likes people. He will come close if you are eating on the deck, and come in the house if any doors are left open. If he does get in just shoo him and he will run back out the door!

Bathroom:

Main floor: Full bathroom with shower and tub

Main Floor: Added in 2021-1/2 bath across from laundry room, near queen bedroom

Upstairs: Full bathroom with shower and tub

Beach/Swimming: You are able to swim right from the property. The water is very shallow, so it is nice for little ones. The bottom of the lake is clear but feels murky, so it is squishy. Water shoes are usually preferred. Swimmer's Itch is a possibility here. Please hose off thoroughly each time you emerge from the lake. There is a public beach across the lake, about 10 minutes away. Another location to swim at a Lake Michigan beach is 19 miles away at Petoskey State Park: 2475 M-119, Petoskey, MI 49770


Bedroom Configuration:
Master Bedroom: main floor—KING

Bedroom #2: main floor—QUEEN

Bedroom #3: upstairs—FULL

Bedroom #4: upstairs—1 TWIN and a BUNK BED with TWINS

Boats: A two-seater canoe and a kayak are available for guests to use in the Summer months. There are life jackets available as well. Available Memorial Day- Labor Day. There is a pontoon that stays on one side of the dock that is not owned or managed by Freshwater. Unfortunately, we do not have access to rent or use this boat.

Bugs: Typical Michigan bugs. If you are a guest in June, the no-see-ums can get through the screens, so be sure to close the windows at dusk.

Cell phone service: Spotty- However, the house wi-fi is good, so once you get here, log into wi-fi and use wi-fi calling.

Distances:
* Traverse City: 1 hour 51 minutes ( 86 miles)
* Falls State Park: 1 hour 50 min (102 miles)
* Mackinac Bridge: 30 minutes (26 miles)
* Van Lokeran Family Nature Preserve: (3 miles)- 33 acres of land. Includes over 1,320 feet of frontage on Larks Lake. Open to the public for swimming, exploring, and wildlife exploration.

Dock: One half of the dock is occupied by a neighbor's covered boat that is not for rent or managed by Freshwater. There is still plenty of room on the dock to bring your pontoon boat and dock it right in front of the house! Available Memorial day thru Labor Day.

Fireplace: There is a wood-burning stove in the rec room

Fire-pit: There are two fire pits. One is near the garage and the other is near the water

Fishing: Some common fish you will see in the nearby lake are bass, sunfish, and blue gill. Please be sure to bring your own poles as there are none at this property. Also, in order to fish in Michigan lakes, one is required to hold a fishing license. Click here to purchase your fishing license online.

Grill: Propane grill with propane provided.

Grocery Store: Pellston General Store - 45 US-31, Pellston, MI 49769 (231) 539-8507
Toski Sands Market & Wine Shop- 2294 M-119, Petoskey, MI 49770
(231) 347-1571 (18 miles by car)

Handicap Friendly: Let us explain what we mean by handicap friendly…there is a zero step entry into this home (2-steps once inside to reach main floor), and there are no steps to get to the water. The bathrooms and hallways are not up to official handicap standards and do not come equipped with special apparatus to help those in need.

Internet: Great service. Free Wi-Fi. Because the cell service is spotty we have strong wifi. We have had 5 people working from this home at the same time.

Linens: Yes, we provide your sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you are fussy about the thread count of your sheets, just let me know, and I'll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillow cases and bath towels.

Parking: There is plenty of parking for 4 cars or 2 truck/trailer combos.

Pets: Pets are not welcomed at this home.

Privacy:There are just a few neighbors around. The homes are well spaced, but you can see the houses closer to the water to the left and right.

Seniors: Come one, come all! This space is great for those over 60. Sometimes when renting a home, you are never too sure about the terrain: is the home on top of a hill, is parking on a steep slope, are there 100 steps to the beach or the unit, etc. This home gets the FVR approval for the young at heart!

Snowmobiles: Yes, bring them! The 721 trail begins across the street! A person (resident and nonresident) that operates a snowmobile in Michigan is required to purchase a snowmobile trail permit. The trail permit enables snowmobilers to ride state-designated trails and thousands more miles of public roads and on public lands (where authorized). It is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. State-designated trails are open Dec. 1-March 31 and grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Click here to purchase your snowmobile trail permit.

​​​​​​​Snow Skiing: Located just 20 minutes away, you will find Nubs Nob Ski Area that is known for its Cross-Country skiing. Located an hour away, you will find Boyne Mountain which has plenty of runs for all skill levels.

Space: open family room and kitchen space. Modern with chic-wood accents.

Televisions: There is a tv in the family room, the rec room, and the loft. All have streaming capabilities only.

Towels: Yes, we provide towels. It's always good to bring extra though.

Tunnel of Trees: Michigan's Tunnel of Trees is a 20-mile stretch of State Highway M-119 along the coast of Lake Michigan. It begins in Cross Village and goes south to Harbor Springs. It is around a 20-minute drive without stopping and will take around 40 minutes. Please plan for 4-5 hours to get out of your vehicle to explore and get the full experience of Michigan's beautiful fall colors!

Washer and dryer: Yes!

Winter Activities:
* Snowmobiling
- Pellston Snowmobile Trails – Access to the Northern Michigan Snowmobile Trail System is nearby and accessible from the house, providing plenty of routes for snowmobiling.
Distance: Snowmobile trails are about 5-10 miles from your location, easily accessible from Pellston.
* Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
- Black Mountain Nordic Ski Center – About 15 miles (25-minute drive) from Pellston, this center offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails in a beautiful forested area.
Distance: 15 miles from Pellston.
* Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
- Nub's Nob Ski Resort – Located in Harbor Springs, Nub's Nob offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Distance: 20 miles (about a 30-minute drive) from Pellston.
- Boyne Highlands Resort – Another option for downhill skiing and snowboarding, located near Harbor Springs.
Distance: 22 miles (around a 35-minute drive).
* Ice Fishing
- Douglas Lake – Nearby lakes like Douglas Lake offer ice fishing opportunities during the winter.
Distance: About 10 miles (15-20 minutes' drive).
* Winter Hiking
- Petoskey State Park – Offers beautiful winter hiking trails along Lake Michigan and snowshoeing paths.
Distance: 25 miles (about a 35-minute drive).
* Winter Festivals & Events
- Harbor Springs Winter Carnival – Harbor Springs hosts various winter activities, including festivals, ice carving contests, and more.
Distance: 20-25 miles (about a 30-minute drive)

Wood: Guests must bring their own wood to burn. Cross Village (6.1 miles) has a county store that sells wood and Pellston (8 miles) hosts a few stores that supply wood.