Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The basics

So when you stay at the shanty, what can you expect?

First, understand that this house is also a home. It's totally furnished, and has most of the amenities you'd find in your own home. The kitchen is fully equipped, the furniture is comfortable, and the structure itself snug and welcoming. There are two bedrooms and two full baths. The master bedroom has a California king-sized bed, and the back bedroom a double bed and bunkbeds. The baths both have shower-tubs. The house can comfortably sleep as many as seven or eight, assuming someone is willing to sleep on the floor (we also have a futon).

A few of the outstanding features:
1. The house faces west, and the living area has a vaulted ceiling, so you'll find the front of the house bright and airy most days. When it's stormy, you can relish the sight and sound of nature's fury with a front-row seat.
2. There is a wood-burning stove, and plenty of firewood. The electric heat works fine, but the warm glow of a fire on a cold winter night is one of life's simple pleasures.
3. A sliding glass door opens to a glass-enclosed deck, which is a great place to enjoy the sunshine and not be chilled by the wind. We have some inexpensive patio furniture, and a gas grill, if you care to cook outdoors.
4. There's a great collection of both books and board games. We don't have a TV. This is intentional. Talk. Enjoy the company of your friends. Beat the stuffings out of them at Monopoly. It is sometimes possible to pick up a wi-fi signal inside the house, but we make no guarantees. If you must check your email, you can usually hijack a connection at the top of the hill near the convenience store.

We don't currently have a washer and dryer. Our guests are requested to take linens and towels home to wash them, and to return them to us when clean. This saves on electricity, which helps us to keep our costs low.

Our neighbors on both sides of the house are quiet, friendly people. In fact, the whole neighborhood is extremely peaceful. If there were sidewalks, they would be rolled up at night.

Feel free to use any of the toys or recreational equipment in the closets, which includes croquet and a clam gun. Have fun.