BICKEL’S CABINS

SLEEPS: 6 comfortably (considering solar/generator system)
BEDROOMS: Main Cabin=3, Rustic Cabin=1  
BATHROOMS: 1 full bathroom, 1 basic outhouse
*LAKEFRONT (54-acre EAST LAKE-outside of Manistique, in Schoolcraft County)
*SWIMMING ON PROPERTY
*SANDY-BOTTOM LAKE
*CANOE INCLUDED
*HUNTING ON PROPERTY
*DOGS are WELCOMED

*VERY SECLUDED- “off the grid”

Please keep in mind that the Bickel’s Cabins/secluded 76 acres experience is not ideal in consideration of the average city person's level of comfort.  EVERYONE in your group must be avid, authentic, outdoor-loving people. The power does NOT work like it does at home. You can't run the microwave, toaster, pump water and watch TV at the same time.  It taxes the system. Yes, you can run out of power. Cell phones don't work well at all, unless the solar panels are sufficiently charged and  you connect your phone to the Wi-Fi.   It's not for everyone, yet absolutely IDEAL for the right people. In this environment, one unhappy or non-outdoorsy person in the group has a direct, negative impact on everyone traveling together in this secluded space.

Have you every backpacked or camped in a tent, at any point in your life? Did you love the experience?  Please ask this question to everyone in your group. If your answer is yes, then this is the ideal creature comfort step-up you've been looking for.  As a backpacker myself, as I age, I find myself deeply appreciating the indoor plumbing and sleeping on a standard mattress that an experience such as staying in this gorgeous, custom-crafted log cabin deep, in the U.P. woods, provides. If you are power-dependant (including simple cell phone use) , this is NOT the place for you. 

These two unique cabins are on gorgeous East Lake (private) in Manistique, Michigan. Having a Main Cabin and a Rustic Cabin facing the lake, the sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking. These cabins each offer a very different vacation destination, which may suit larger families! Live off the grid! Enjoy our solar power with a back-up generator.

Drive the 2 mile dirt road from the main road into these peaceful log cabins. Ideally, it is best to bring a truck, though with good, careful driving, a regular car can make it down the 2 mile-dirt road. In comparison with many U.P. roads/2-tracks decent, dirt road.

The Main Cabin consists of 3 bedrooms, a deck, fire pit, propane grill, full kitchen, and new leather furniture. The Rustic Cabin is a 2-room cabin with a general room and a bunk room with beds. It also has a fire pit and charcoal grill. A gazebo, private deck, and canoe can be enjoyed by all during your stay!

The cabins rest about 200 feet from each other and are only rented together.  Come enjoy this wonderful vacation rental where the fishing is plentiful, and you can hunt (bear, deer, partridge and rabbit) on this 76-acre private property. Gaze upon the Red and White Pines that lace the area, and birds that fly along the skyline.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ATV's: Allowed on property!

Animals: Hunting on property…76 acres, bears, wolves, coyotes, partridge, squirrels, rabbits, moose

Bathroom:  

Main Cabin: Full bathroom with tub and shower

Rustic Cabin: Out-house (Outdoorsy people consider it a relatively nice outhouse; City people think an outhouse is an outhouse- Yuck!)

Beach/Swimming: Swim right on the property. It is a nice sandy-bottom lake.

Bedroom Configuration:

 IN MAIN CABIN:   1^st Bedroom: Main Floor: Queen bed

                                     2^nd Bedroom: Main Floor: Queen bed

                                     3^rd Bedroom: Upstairs—loft style: 2 Twin beds

IN RUSTIC CABIN:   Bunk Room: 1 Queen with twin bunk on top

                                    Bunk Room: 1 bunk bed (2 twin mattresses)

                                    All beds in the Rustic Cabin are together in same room.

Blow Dryer: We ask that you please limit the use of your hair blow dyer as it may drain the power enough to inhibit the well from working properly.

Boats: A Canoe is provided! Please use it during your stay!You can also launch your own boat as well right on the property. There is a primitive boat ramp at the former campground across the lake.

Bugs: Yes, there are plenty of bugs in the wilderness, on East Lakeon the 76 private acres. If doors are left open, even for short periods of time at the cabin, then bugs/flies/mosquitos love to sneak in.  We do not spray outside for bugs, as with the natural landscape, along comes bugs. Depending on our level of rainfall, mosquitos can be plentiful. Bug spray is highly recommended.  If you are at all concerned about bugs, critters or small animals, Bickel’s Cabins may be too much of a challenge. It is important to us that all of our guests have a positive experience.

Cable/Satellite TVs: Yes! This is a big plus for such a secluded cabin. Please use it conservatively, and not just for background noise.

Cell phone service: None, unless you have a smart phone and can connect to Wi-Fi calling, provided you are hyper-conservative with the power levels. Cell phone service is generally unreliable in the Upper Peninsula when you travel outside of Marquette and Escanaba. While it has improved over the years, it still varies by your provider and actually cell phone.  Please give your family the office contact number (734) 837-4976  and we can always send someone out if you needed to be reached.

WIFI:  can not support online teaching/classes
 

Distances:
              * Pictured Rocks: 27 minutes (24 miles)
              * Marquette: 1 hour 16 minutes (67 miles)

              * Tahquamenon Falls State Park: 1 hour 43 minutes (92 miles) 
              * Mackinac Bridge: 2 hours (113 miles)

Dock: Your private dock is about 12 feet long.

Electricity:  NOT TRADITIONAL POWER! The main cabin is powered by solar (with a generator back-up that we try to keep the use at a minimum), we have to be hyper-sensitive to the electrical use. No power lines-- just trees and nature.. Aaahhh...The Rustic Cabin has a hand pump for water, propane gas stove and propane gas refrigerator.

You must be hyper-conservative with your energy use here. While we are happy to be able to provide Wi-Fi and satellite TV at the secluded Bickel’s Cabins, you must keep these considerations in mind:

1. Always unplug the coffee pot (or any other small appliance) when you aren’t actively using it.


2. You must have all electronics off from time to time to give the solar panels time to charge.


3. You CAN NOT use 2 appliances at once (i.e. blow drying your hair and making a cup of coffee tends to overpower the system.)



Fishing:  Northern pike, rock bass, sunfish, largemouth bass and walleye. Please bring your own fishing poles. 




Fishing License: You can purchase your fishing license online at http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/Welcome/Default.aspx




Grill: There is a propane and a charcoal grill for you to use. Propane will be provided. If you would like charcoal, it can be purchased at the nearby store (8 miles away).




Grocery Store:  About 8 miles away, so prepare in advance!





Internet:  YES! This is huge for such a secluded cabin. 

Lake:  East Lake-Thompson is a small 54 acre lake just north of Manistique in Schoolcraft County. The deepest spot is 25 feet.  Near the cabin is 5-15 feet deep.

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: NO PROBLEM!

Pets: Dogs are welcome! Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges $50/per pet for your entire stay. Yes, we do accept dogs, yet we do ask that you please clean up after them both inside and outside the cabin. Plus, if you allow them on the furniture, we do ask that you please bring your own linens/blankets for them to sleep on.  Just let us know which bed you will be using with them, and we’ll make sure it is ready for your sheets when you arrive. Plus, if the pet hair starts to build, we do ask that you please run the vacuum. Generally, dogs love the water and places to explore. Pet food does tend to attract mice, so vigilance is needed.

Privacy: Only private home on the lake.

Skiing (Water): .  Not ideal here at Bickel's Cabins.  While technically you can water-ski on the lake, it is not ideal. Why?
1. There is a primitive boat ramp.
2. One end of the lake is shallow.
3. It is narrow, so we don't think you'd be able to get up to speed.




Space:  Both cabins are about 200 feet from each other.




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

Washer and dryer:  Not on property! You can drive into Manistique to wash your clothes at the laundromat.

Wood:  All over the property you will find wood, for grilling and for burning. If you would like more, the local grocer also sells bundles.

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Amenities

Property/indoor Amenities
• Basic paper products included.
• Blow Dryer
• Box Fans
• Cable- Satellite TV
• Ceiling fans
• Internet/ WI FI
• Linens & towels included
• Pets allowed.
• Radio/CD Player
• TV with DVD & VHS player
• Wood burning stove
Kitchen Amenities
• Coffee maker
• Microwave
• Oven
• Refrigerator
• Standard kitchenware & utensils
• Stove
• Toaster
Outdoor Amenities
• Canoe or Kayak included
• Deck/patio
• Fire pit
• Good Fishing
• Grill-charcoal
• Grill-propane
• Private boat dock
• Sandy Beach
• Swimming on property
Special Features
• ATV allowed