PlansMatter architectural vacation rentals Welcome! Gunflint Lake Cabin 1 Essential Information 2 House Truths + Rules 3 Operating Instructions 4 Local Eats, Drinks + Provisions 5 Local Activities 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !1 of !6 architectural vacation rentals Essential Information Location Gunflint Lake Cabin is north! Canada is right across the lake. The cabin is 47 miles from the nearest town, Grand Marais, a 1.5 hour drive. We recommend you plan to arrive before nightfall and stop in Grand Marais on your way to the cabin for supplies and a bite to eat. If you forget a few things (like coffee or insect spray) there are general stores nearby that stock basic provisions. Gunflint Lake Cabin is a place to disconnect from technology. Cell phone service generally stops 10 miles up the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais and there is no internet service at the cabin. Address 611 South Gunflint Lake Road, Grand Marais MN 55604 Parking + Front Door There is exterior parking for 2 cars immediately adjacent to the cabin. The front door of the cabin is the single solid pine door. Not the multiple glass deck doors. Check-In 3pm Check-Out 2pm Check-In/Out Process The cabin will be unlocked when you arrive and you can leave it unlocked when you depart. There is no need to lock the cabin if you are on the water or exploring the area. Day-to-Day Contact PlansMatter, [email protected], 800.921.6067 Emergency Contact Greg and Barb Gecas, owners of Heston's Lodge, 218-338-2243 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !2 of !6 architectural vacation rentals Cabin Telephone The phone number for the cabin’s land line is 218.388.2211. To make long distance calls dial 1010297, then 1+area code and phone number. Or use a credit card. Safety First Aid Kit. Located in the pantry. Fire. One fire extinguisher is located in the hallway closet and another in the sauna. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are located throughout the cabin. Outdoor Fire Pit. It is essential that you determine if fires are allowed in the area at the time of your visit (stop by or call Heston’s Lodge 218-388-2243). Please be sure that sparks do not escape and that fires are properly extinguished. There is a five-gallon bucket in the basement to be filled with water at the outside faucet. Please have this standing by. The owners are very cautious about fires, as the cabin was built in the aftermath of the 2007 Ham Lake Fire which burned 75,000 acres of forest. Its ecological impact can be observed throughout the area. Swimming. Swim shoes are required if you are going in the water as the 150 foot shoreline is mostly a rock-covered beach. You are welcome to enjoy water activities at your own risk. Wildlife. Do not leave any doors open as animals are quick to enter. Also, if you feed the birds, be sure to return the dish and seeds to the sauna at night so bears are not attracted. Pests. Northern Minnesota is notorious for its mosquitoes — locals call them the “state bird”. We recommend that you bring bug repellant. Where to Find What Cleaning supplies are located under the kitchen sink, in the hallway closet and in a container in the pantry. The first aid kit is in the pantry. One fire extinguisher is located in the hallway closet and another the sauna. Kayaks, canoe and life jackets are in the basement storage. What You Can Use Please help yourself to anything you may find in the kitchen — if something is depleted, please leave a note on the table so the item may be replenished. There are bathrobes in the sauna for your use — leave them in the laundry basket after you are finished. You may use the outdoor grill, but we ask that you not move it to the deck. The canoe, kayak, life jackets, and snow shoes are all available for your use. As a rule of thumb, almost everything is at your disposal except the outboard motor and chain saw. Departing the Property Please place any soiled laundry — robes, towels, etc — in the laundry basket. Please empty the refrigerator of any perishables you brought to the cabin. Garbage and recycling can be left at the cabin for disposal after your departure. You can leave the cabin unlocked when you depart, but please be sure all cabin doors and windows are closed. 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !3 of !6 architectural vacation rentals Directions Gunflint Lake Cabin is located 47 miles from Grand Marais, on the south shore of Gunflint Lake. The Gunflint Trail is a paved road. The last three miles of South Gunflint Lake Road are gravel. Take MN Highway 61 north from Duluth to Grand Marais. Follow the signs through Grand Marais to reach the Gunflint Trail (also known as County Road 12). Turn left on County Road 12 and follow it for approximately 45 miles. Turn right on Cook County Road 20 (also known as Old County Road 50 and South Gunflint Lake Road). There is a sign at the junction that points you in the direction of Heston's Lodge. Take this road for approximately 3 miles past Gunflint Lodge and Gunflint Pines. 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !4 of !6 architectural vacation rentals About one-quarter of a mile from the Gunflint Lake Cabin there is a fork to the Mile O’Pine Road. Keep left at this fork to stay on County Road 20. County Road 20 ends at Heston’s Lodge. 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !5 of !6 architectural vacation rentals At the lodge entrance, make a very sharp right turn and follow the lodge road as it curves to the left through the woods. At Heston’s Lodge make sharp right and follow winding road through woods Just before you get to the cabin, the road forks. Stay to the right. You will soon see the cabin. At the fork in the road, turn right. 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !6 of !6 architectural vacation rentals The cabin (#611) will be immediately on your left. Map through Heston’s to Gunflint Lake Cabin. It’s a short drive but it can be tricky. 2418 Bryant Avenue South | Minneapolis MN 55405 USA | 800.921.6067 | [email protected] | www.PlansMatter.com PlansMatter !1 of !2 architectural vacation rentals House Truths Just So You Know Family Cabin. Gunflint Lake Cabin is dearly loved and frequently used by the owners and their extended network of family and friends. Many of the objects in the cabin — such as the dishes, rugs, quilts, and pottery — have personal meaning. More details can be found under Architectural Description. Technology. No internet. No cell phone reception. No TV. Staying at Gunflint Lake Cabin allows you to disconnect from technology and connect with the natural surroundings. Music. The Tivoli Model One radio picks up a public station out of Grand Marais. It’s fascinating! There is a cable near the radio which you can plug into the head phone jack on your device and play music. Location. Gunflint Lake Cabin offers the best of both worlds. While the cabin is 1.5 hrs north of Grand Marais near the Canadian border, there are a few nearby privately owned cabins and you are right next to Heston’s Lodge. It is best to arrive before dark if possible. Gunflint Lake. The lake is a very large, sparsely populated, “motor-traffic” region within and adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Although motor boats tend to be few, and much quieter than lakes further south, you will likely come across other people on the water. Shoreline. There is no dock on the shoreline. Canoes and kayaks are launched from land so you will get your feet wet. Water shoes are highly recommended. Access to the water is to the east side of the property away from the boulders over the intake for the water system. Canoe and Kayaks. It can require some finesse to access the basement storage (see Operating Instructions) and some strength to carry the canoe and kayaks down to the water. Sauna Shower. The outdoor shower is only available in the summer. For the other months you can use the indoor shower, run down to the lake, or jump in the snow. Critters. Yes, there are critters! Sometimes in your space! Woodpeckers peck at the wood siding and squirrels nibble on the porch screens. To combat this problem, the owner sometimes must cover areas of the house with green tarps — please leave the tarps in place. You will also see the occasional mouse. If a mouse makes its way indoors and bothers you, please contact Barb for assistance. Insects. Yes, there are insects! Bring repellant. Spiders also build cobwebs on the exterior of the cabin. They are busy, busy, busy. Potable Water. You may notice a waterline running from the lake up to the house. The water at the cabin is filtered and perfectly safe to drink. Bring your own bottled water if you prefer.