Guest Welcome Book

HERE ARE THE HOUSE RULES:

There are none!  Have fun.

ACTIVITIES

There’s much to do in our area.  We have brochures for you to review (in the island wood bowl) that better describe the various offerings, but here are some of our favorites (see more in Shopping and Museums).

Willsboro:

• The Crux Climbing gym (at a local camp – limited summer hrs.)
• Public Tennis courts on Lake Shore Road (turn right & on left)
• Noblewood (public park and sand beach)- hike, swim or picnic.

Essex:

• Ride the ferry to Vermont
• Explore the Split Rock Wilderness
• Shop or dine or hike a local trail (CATS-Champlain Area Trails)
• Get a massage or take a yoga class (Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness)

Whallonsburg:

• The Grange – arts and community center for concerts, lectures, dances, children’s events, stand-up comedy, and home to the Champlain Valley Film Society, who show award winning current films in a friendly, community atmosphere – often with directors at the venue speaking about the films (all year but summer). Check their website or essexonlakechamplain.com site for current events.

Ausable area:

• Ausable Chasm (walk, museum and tubing down the river)
• Ausable Brewing Company (ABC) – Thursday-Saturday evening in summers with farm food trucks, local bands, and outdoor enjoyment of beer and hand-crafted soft drinks – great fun for the whole family (even dogs).

Westport:

• Ledge Hill Brewing Company
• Depot Theatre (Fantastic summer Actor’s Equity theater)
• Westport Country Club (public, beautiful golf course and dining)
• Ballard Park (summer outdoor concerts and plays, while you picnic on the lawn), and out-door skating in the winter

Elizabethtown (on the way to Lake Placid):

• ADK History Museum
• Public Golf course
• Dine or shop
• Public paddle tennis and tennis courts

Lake Placid:

• Whiteface Mountain downhill skiing (Olympic mountain)
• Cascade /Mt. Van Hoevenberg cross country ski center
• Bobsled rides
• (summer on wheels – winter on ice – on the bottom half of the Olympic course – not for the faint of heart!- height restrictions)
• Tubing down the ski jump (snow in winter, faux-grass in summer- age restrictions)
• Ice skating on the Olympic outdoor oval
• Ice skating competitions and Ice hockey in Olympic Arena
• Ski jumping and racing competitions in winter
• Summer ski jumping practicing into a pool (quite fun to see)
• Museum at the Top of the ski lift (great views and photo-ops.)
• Iron man and other fitness competitions
• Paddle Mirror Lake in summer
• Take dog sled rides on Mirror Lake in winter
• Enjoy many restaurants and shops, spas and museums.
• Movie Theater in town center

Wadhams:

• Public Library with regular lectures by locals (always good)

Plattsburgh:

• The Strand Theater
• (classes, live performances, films, educational lectures ,etc.)
• Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
• (concerts and other arts performances)
• North Country Co-op
• (small grocery store with healthy products)
• Golf courses
• Marinas
• Fishing, boating, and wildlife tours
• Plattsburgh State Beach
• The Champlain Wine Company
• Oval Craft Brewing
• Stone Ledge Sculpture Garden
• Movie Theaters
• SUNY Plattsburgh University
• Many shops and dining options

Vermont:

• Shelburne Museum (not to be missed)
• Shelburne Farm (milk a cow, pet baby animals, hold a chicken, and sample award winning cheese at the site of its creation)
• Shelburne Apple orchard (pick apples, buy yummy apple creations)
• Teddy Bear Factory
• Lake Champlain Chocolate Tour
• Echo (aquarium and science museum on Burlington waterfront)
• Wine Tasting at Shelburne Vinyard
• Taste and tour at multiple Breweries
• Burlington Farmer’s Market (Saturdays)
• Burlington Bike Path
• Stroll or ride on the trails of the Burlington Waterfront Park
• Historic tours, boat tours, farm tours
• Ethan Allen Homestead
• University of Vermont
• Many shops and dining options (especially on Church Street Market – a pedestrian street loaded with interesting stores and dining options)
• Many festivals – art, jazz, and beer tasting, etc.

Of course, there are many activities at ADK Oasis to keep you busy, from snow shoes, to Kayaks, to paddle boarding (provided), swimming, skating, cross country skiing (not provided).  Or play on the lawn, picnic, make s’mores (ingredients in cabinet), sit by the fire-pit, grill or cook a home-made dinner with local farm ingredients, stargaze, warm up by the indoor fire, play a game, read under a cozy throw blanket, linger on the chairs by the lake or deck, or sleep in and enjoy the healthy organic beds and bedding, or put your feet up and catch up with your house mates.

AIRPORTS

The local residents use mainly three nearby airports:

Burlington

(1 hour drive east and north– ½ hour on the ferry) –check the ferry schedule.

Albany (2 hour drive south)

Montreal (two hour drive north – the city is closer) – don’t forget your passport and to allow time for border crossing.

ALARM CLOCK

Alarm clocks are located in each bedroom

ATM

You’ll find nearby ATM’s at the ice cream store in Essex, the Willsboro bank, and the Village Meat Market in Willsboro.

BEACH TOWELS

You’ll find in the closet of the blue bathroom.  Enjoy them with your time on the water, or for anything else. Please don’t wash them with anything white – they will ruin the bath towels and sheets.

BEDDING

All of the bedding (and mattresses) are organic.  Enjoy the high thread count of the sheets.  Extra bedding items are in the blue bedroom closet. Please don’t wash with colors.

CLEANING SUPPLIES

Cleaning supplies are located underneath the kitchen sink or in the laundry room (where you will find broom, vacuum etc.).

DINING

Despite being a small community, dining options in the area abound (especially in the summer – winter has more limited options).  All places are owned and operated by local residents.

Essex:

• Essex Inn (year round)
• Chez Lin and Ray’s
• Pink Pig (year round)
• Essex Ice Cream Cafe
• The Old Dock Restaurant (by the ferry dock – simple food with a great water view)

Willsboro:

• Turtle Island (year round)
• Upper Deck (at the Willsboro Marina)

Westport:

• Westport Yacht Club – fantastic farm-to-table food on the water with fabulous views (especially sunsets)
• Westport Golf Club
• Galley at Westport Marina
• Westport Hotel & Tavern (open year-round)

Elizabethtown:

• Deer’s Head Inn (farm to table restaurant run by an award winning documentary producer and his wife and a local doctor-year round).

Wadhams:

• Dogwood bakery (fantastic meals & baked goods – community pizza night on Friday evenings – beer provided as well)

Plattsburgh (all open year-round):

• Irises (long-time local favorite with weekend live music)
• Twisted Carrot (new on the scene – fresh and delicious)
• Latitude 44
• Pepper (farm-to-table Mexican – family friendly)

Vermont (all restaurants are year-round below but one):

Shelburne:

• Inn at Shelburne Farms (Seasonal.  Pricy but lovely, and all fresh food from their farm- reservations required – fantastic views of the Adirondacks)
• Rustic Roots (inviting casual café)
• Bearded Frog (high-end, creative but pricey)
• Barkeaters (bistro)

Burlington (downtown):

• Farmhouse Tap and Grill
• Leunig’s (local and tourist favorite – French)
• A Single Pebble (high-end creative Chinese)
• Hen of the Wood (pricey but delicious and creative)
• Tratoria Delia (cozy Italian)
• Hotel Vermont bar or restaurant – Juniper (hip scene, farm food)

DISHWASHER

Please call one of your hosts if you have any trouble with the dishwasher.  Detergent can be found under the kitchen sink.

DRINKING WATER

The water is municipal and is fine to drink, but we have provided bottled water for your convenience, should you prefer spring water.

FARMER’S and CRAFT MARKETS

Each summer you’ll find a variety of local outdoor markets with local farm food and hand-crafted items, from Willsboro to Essex, to Elizabethtown, Burlington and beyond.  Essex Day is the first Saturday in August and offers a huge array of activities, food and artisans displaying their goods.  Many houses also have yard sales of their own the same day. There’s a basket in the entry hall for your shopping (and re-usable grocery bags in the kitchen).

FERRIES

There are three ferries on the lake. They all take cars and walking/biking passengers without cars.

The Essex/Charlotte and Plattsburgh-Grand Isle (about a 15-20 minute drive north of downtown Burlington) operate all year and are about 20 minutes long (and have ice breakers when the lake freezes).

While the Plattsburgh ferry is 24 hours, the Essex one (few minutes down the road from ADK Oasis) closes in the evening (varies depending on the time of year).  The Essex ferry will occasionally close for very rough weather but that is rare (mostly in winter).

There is also a bridge that spans the lake in a narrow section at Chimney Point Vermont (about 45 minutes south of Burlington) and Crown Point, NY (about 45 minutes south of ADK Oasis).

If you are kayaking or paddling near Essex, be mindful of the passing ferry and blocking its route.  They have the right of way because they can’t easily swerve or slow down to avoid lake obstacles.  If they honk at you then you know you are in their way.

FIRE

There is a fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink, and by the fireplace. In case of fire, exit immediately and inform a host.

We have a volunteer fire department, so don’t be alarmed if you hear a loud siren in town- that is to alert the volunteers.  They have meetings on Tuesday nights and also sound the siren beforehand.

FIREPLACE

Enjoy the fireplace!  Please remember to open the flu (metal lever on the back of the chimney stack – vertical is open and horizontal is closed).  Luckily, if you forget, no need to put your hand in the fireplace to open it. Firewood is provided next to the unit, with more in the garage –help yourself.  Please avoid leaving the fire going in the house when you leave.

FITNESS /YOGA

There is a yoga mat in each bedroom and space in the downstairs room to do floor exercises.   You’ll also find a yoga block, jump-rope and exercise band in the blue bedroom closet.

Lake Champlain is a refreshing, clean lake for swimming, world-renowned for boating, and its shores offer endless hiking, biking, running, golf, tennis, fly fishing, cross country & downhill skiing and snow-shoeing.

The Crux, a climbing gym is right down the road (at a local camp - check hours).

Additionally, there is multi-level yoga daily (sometimes several times a day in the summer), down the road in Essex at Lake Champlain Yoga and Wellness.  They also offer massages, wellness workshops, Ayurveda consultations, and physical therapy.

FLASHLIGHTS

Flashlights can be found in the kitchen cabinet above the refrigerator, in the laundry room cabinet, and in each bedroom.  If the power goes out, please let one of us know, and we’ll alert the power company and assist you with the inconvenience.

FOOD & DRINK

All food and drink in the home is for our guests’ enjoyment so help yourselves to everything in kitchen cabinets and fridge.  Some of the products are locally made.

(See also Groceries and Restaurants).

FORGOTTEN ITEMS

See our ‘FORGOT IT? WE GOT IT!’ list on the island to see what products we stock in the house in case you need something important that can’t wait for a shopping excursion.

FRONT DOOR

No keys are required to enter the premises – simply use the provided code.  Inform us if you have any trouble with it.

GAS STATION

The Citgo at the Village Meat Market is the closest gas station (right out of driveway, and a couple miles down the road on the left).

GARAGE DOOR

A garage door opener has been provided for your convenience.  Please leave it on the kitchen counter upon your departure (we only have one).

GARBAGE & RECYCLING

There is a garbage can in each bathroom and under the kitchen sink.  You can put full garbage in the garage large bin.

Recycling bins are in the garage.All items but paper get mingled.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL

The switch is behind the coffee maker.

GAMES

We have games in the living room sideboard (under the television).  Enjoy!

GROCERIES

The closest place to find simple groceries is before the town of Willsboro at the Willsboro Village Meat Market (at the Citgo gas Station).  Turn right (north) out of the driveway, and it’s a couple miles down on the left.

The meat and poultry are fresh and baked goods are quite good and made on site each morning.  In summer you’ll often find lobsters brought by a local resident who also frequents Maine.

There is another gas station north of town, also with simple food.

The closest and healthiest food option is the Hub on The Hill (turn left from the driveway, right at blinking light in Essex to the next intersection – right and an immediate left).  Hub on the Hill has a unique and delicious selection of food from our local farms (some raw, some pre-cooked).  There you’ll find local dairy, veggies, honey, maple syrup, oils, granola, cookies, eggs, and other locally made edibles and non-edibles by nearby artisans (wood products, jewelry, dish towels and the like).  Unique and not to be missed!

We have many fantastic local farms and most of them have farm stands.  The closest farm stand is at Essex Farm (on Rt. 22 – left out of driveway and right at blinking light in Essex –on right going up the hill).  We encourage you to try out all the farms.  They all have unique and fresh offerings.  See brochure in bowl for more info.

If you are looking for a bigger supermarket, you’ll find a handful of large grocery stores (Hannaford / Price Chopper, Walmart, and the like) in Plattsburgh (30 minutes north).

Burlington, VT has our favorite organic local stores -Healthy Living, where you can find a large variety of local and worldwide organic goods, and two wonderful Co-Op Markets (both Citi Market) in downtown Burlington that also offer a wide array of local and organic food.  You will find a number of chain supermarkets including Trader Joe’s, Hannaford, Walmart, etc. in and around Burlington.

HAIR DRYER

You will find a hair dryer in each bathroom under the vanity sinks.

HIKING

There are endless hiking opportunities in our area for all ages and all levels of fitness.  Please consult the CATS brochure in the kitchen (Champlain Area Trail system- our fabulous local non-profit organization that has created stunning trails of all types in our area, some on public land, but mostly on private land that owners have graciously offered for use to the public).  Some CATS trails are within walking distance from the house.

One of our local wilderness gems is the Split Rock Wildway (see the book on the land mass by our friend John Davis under the coffee table).  There you can explore the protected NY State land for many miles (stay on the trails so you don’t get lost).

Enjoy the other local hiking guide books in the house.

There is a hike in our area to please everyone, so enjoy the trails (feel free to reach out to Susan and George for suggestions if you are looking for a particular kind of route).

HOST CONTACTS

George:     646-352-2131

Susan:       917-359-0699

Pam:          518-572-1358

Katie:        518-570-1772

Pam and Katie live up the road in Willsboro, year-round.  Susan and George live down the road in Essex in the warmer months (otherwise at their Santa Fe, NM home, where they also offer a house for monthly rentals in the summer -when construction is complete: adobeoasis.com)

HOUSEKEEPING

Please notify one of the hosts if you would like any housekeeping during your visit (extra charge unless we have forgotten to do something important in advance of your visit).

KAYAKS

3 Kayaks and paddles are available at the waterfront in warm seasons for your enjoyment.  Be sure to wear life vests (garage).

Also keep in mind that our weather turns quickly and calm water can rapidly evolve into large waves, and fork lighting can arrive suddenly.  Keep and eye on the weather forecast and any lingering clouds before venturing too far from shore.  We recommend  paddling along the shoreline, not in the middle of the lake where you could get caught in bad weather or in the path of a careless motor boat.

LIFE VESTS

Are mandatory by the US Coastguard when using kayaks and paddle-boards (and other water sports)- and of course a good idea anyway.  You’ll find some in the garage of various sizes and styles.  Let us know if you need another size as we have more down the road in our boathouse.

MASSAGE

We have some fantastic local massage therapists in the area.  We have a wellness center (Lake Champlain Yoga and Wellness- open year round in the heart of Essex). They have massage therapy, physical therapy (and many yoga classes).

MUSEUMS

Essex (just south of the house), has an historic museum (Historic Essex) in town on Rt 22 (right at blinking light and large yellow building on the left).

The entire village of Essex is on the National Register of Historic Places and it boasts a stunning variety of Greek Revival, Federal and Victorian homes.  You can wander the town with George’s architecture guide book to the town (in the house). There are many other museums, but listed below are some of our favorites:

Vermont:

• Shelburne Museum (fantastic, huge and sprawling)
• Echo aquarium (equally enchanting)

Ausable:

• North Star Underground Railroad museum
• Also see Ausable Chasm in Activities – very unique!

Westport:

• Westport Heritage Museum

Elizabethtown:

• Adirondack History Museum

Tupper Lake (90 minute drive):

• The Wild Center (worth the drive – fantastic for the whole family)

Blue Mountain Lake:

• Adirondack Experience (formally Adirondack Museum)
• History museum, plus much more – very popular – closed in winter (also see the Wild Center).

Lake Placid:

• Lake Placid Olympic Museum

Ticonderoga:

• Fort Ticonderoga (key historic spot for the French and Indian War and American Revolution)

Plattsburgh:

• War of 1812 Museum
• Kent Delord House Museum
• Clinton County Historical museum
• Imaginarium Children’s Museum

Montreal, Canada

Offers spectacular museums.  Our favorites are:

• The archeological museum
• Former governor’s mansion
• The modern art museum

MUSIC

You can plug in your phone to the alarm clocks for music (or feel free to use your own speakers). A Sonos system is also available.

Also enjoy live music in the region:

Essex:

Essex Community Concerts at the Essex Community Church in summertime.

Westport:

Meadowmount School of Music: Attend summer concerts.

"In 1971, a young cellist named Yo-Yo Ma left New York City to spend his summer at the Meadowmount School of Music. He had some reservations – he’d never been away from home before and there was an intense practice regiment that seemed daunting. He got over it fast. Each summer, 200 students between the ages of 9 and 30 attend Meadowmount to learn the lessons and values that Ma, and numerous others, did. You can hear the current students, faculty and alumni in concerts throughout the summer beginning June 29." Also, Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell attended.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Operating instructions for all the various items in the house are in the laundry room in cupboard and in the hall closet floor bin.

PADDLE-BOARD

A Paddle-board and paddle can be found in the warm months by the waterfront.  It has a retractable fin to avoid the rocky beach.  Please be gentle with it.  Life vests are in the garage and are coast-guard-mandatory.  We recommend staying close to shore to avoid being stuck far out in bad weather or in the way of boats.

PAPER GOODS

Extra paper towels can be found in the laundry room cabinet and extra tissues and toilet paper the blue bath closet.

PICNIC GEAR

We have a picnic basket in the laundry closet, along with some sturdy outdoor blankets for lounging.  Additionally, you’ll find a cooler in the garage and a soft cold bag for beverages in the lower cabinet next to the fridge.

PILLOWS

All pillows are organic, and extra ones are in the blue bedroom closet.  They vary in content and loft, filled with organic cotton, kapok, natural shredded rubber, unprocessed natural wool and unprocessed feathers.

RADIO

You can find radio on your clocks.  The local NPR station is Vermont Public radio at 107.9.

READING

We have provided books for your enjoyment.  We hope you are inspired by are hand-selected books, most of them by local authors.

SHOPPING

Essex, Willsboro and Westport offer an assortment of lovely shops (not an abundance, but the shopkeepers are quite friendly and offer unique finds).

For a more diverse selection of shops, see Burlington, Plattsburgh or Montreal.

SNOWSHOES

There are four pairs of snowshoes in the garage for your use.

SOAP

You can find extra soap in bathroom vanities.  If you have sensitive skin, you’ll see unscented ones as well.

SONOS

See directions to connect to your mobile device.  If you don’t have the Sonos App. Already, you’ll need to download it.

TELEVISION

The remotes and channel guide for the televisions should be underneath the units on the sideboards (alternatively, check the inside of the sideboards)

You can log in to your Amazon and Netflix accounts etc. on the smart televisions, and stream YouTube videos.

THERMOSTAT

There is an easy-to-use Nest thermostat in the hallway leading to the kitchen.  Simply rotate the dial up or down for the desired temperature.

VERMONT FERRIES

As much as the New York side of Lake Champlain has to offer, we encourage you to explore the Vermont side as well.  It’s a quick and lovely ride from Essex to Charlotte (LCT Ferries).

Check the printed schedule we’ve provided or go online: ferries.com.

In the winter, the Essex ferry only runs once an hour and the last ferry is at 5pm, so plan accordingly.  In the summer the boat runs each half hour, and goes later into the evening (9pm). 

If you are hoping to cross the lake at a time when the Charlotte/Essex ferry is closed, then you have the option of taking the northern ferry (24 hour operation between North Hero, VT and Plattsburgh, NY), or the southern bridge between Addison, VT and Crown Point, NY.

WASHING MACHINE / DRYER

Feel free to use the washer and dryer.  You don’t need to wash any of the sheets or towels, but should you need to, please only use the provided organic, scent-free products on household items.  It is important to us to provide a scent-free atmosphere for our guests.  Please wash white sheets and towels without any items with color.

WATERFRONT

Enjoy the beach and water!  The beach is rocky so we recommend wearing water shoes if you have them (a couple of spares are in the garage).

We have provided three kayaks for your enjoyment.  If you head out on a kayak, be mindful of the weather and stay close to shore.  Weather fronts arrive quickly and unexpectedly on Lake Champlain and waves can suddenly heighten and wind patterns often change suddenly.  If you can’t make it back to our beach then don’t hesitate to arrive at someone else’s.  It’s a friendly place and local homeowners would likely be happy to assist you.

The owners have a boathouse down the road with every size of life vest (babies on up) and wet suits, so should you need one (beside the ones provided), please let your host know and we’ll find one right for you.

If you would prefer to explore a sandy beach on our shores, Noblewood, a town beach and property, is down the road (turn right out of the driveway and it will be shortly on the right).  There’s a large sand bar near there where boats gather.

WATER SHOES

We have a variety of water shoes in the garage.  You will definitely need them (we have more sizes down the road in our boathouse).

WEBSITE (Local)

Two of your hosts, George and Katie, run our popular local website (hundreds of local folks participate in its content): essexonlakechamplain.com

You’ll find local news and a regional calendar on the website.

WIFI

The wifi password will be provided at the house.  Please let us know if you have any troubles with the wifi network.

WILDLIFE

Wildlife in our area is abundant (55 estimated mammals), but don’t let that scare you.  You’ll most likely see deer in the large yard, and of course, many birds (including bald eagles), but also in our area you may see raccoons, fishers, beavers, otters, woodchucks, rabbits, mice, bats, skunks, various animals from the weasel family,  minks (by the water), foxes, and harmless snakes.  And of course, you’ll see many squirrels and chipmunks.

All local snakes are non-poisonous but for the Timber rattle snake- farthest point north where you’ll find them, but they, unlike their western Diamond-back cousins, are not aggressive and will quickly move away from you.  Sightings are quite rare

Porcupines are common here, and are often run over on the road.  They are slow moving and not afraid of humans, and won’t ever go after a human (only dogs who chase them and try to bite end up with quills).  The quills can only be released if you touch them, so no worries about them shooting out to you.

You’re not likely to see a coyote (you will likely hear them at night), but if you do, they will quickly move away – very fearful and harmless to humans.

You are also not likely to see a black bear because they have plenty of terrain here, unlike more suburban and urban areas, and they are not known in this area to ever bother humans unless you get too close to their young.  Make noise as you hike and they’ll move away.

We do apparently have a small Moose population, but sightings are rare.  Just don’t hit one with your car.

We also have, according to trackers and some lucky witnesses, a small population of Lynx, also known as Cougars or Mountain lions.  They are generally moving through the region to other areas to find mates, and travel alone (this is not their usual home). Sightings are very rare and no local attacks have occurred.

There are no creatures in the water that will harm you, thank goodness, but for the invasive zebra mussels that are quite sharp and attached to many rocks.

The most dangerous creature in the Adirondacks is the tick.  You’ll find them not only in the woods, but on lawns and in any overgrowth.   Many of the ticks are infected with Lyme and other tick-borne illness.  We advise you check for ticks regularly (and each evening before bed).  They don’t always come off in the shower.  Lyme is all too prevalent here, as in many other states. We have a tick remover in the blue bath closet should one attach to you.

Be wary of wildlife on the road.  Slower speeds at night and careful watch of the roadsides for entering animals, is always prudent.  Even on a bike, be mindful, as deer and other animals can still emerge in light hours.  Our friend hit a bear on his bike.  The bear just moved away and left him alone (injured albeit).

Our friend Sheri Amsel has written a fabulous book ‘Adirondack Nature Guide’ with illustrations and descriptions of the local wildlife, wildflowers, insects and trees.  You’ll find it in the house.

Also, our friend John Davis has written a comprehensive book (in the house under the coffee table) on the wildlife and landscape features of the Split Rock Wildway Preserve, which borders Essex and Westport.

Let us know if you think any other category should be added to this book.

Thanks for coming and enjoy!

George, Susan, Pam and Katie