Notes from the host
White Cottage
THE RIVER LEA COTTAGE is a beautiful, spacious waterfront property in the Almaguin Highlands, an hour west of Algonquin Provincial Park. It is a clean, large, comfortable, open concept, four season home on the picturesque Magnetawan River with over 60 KMS of boating and accessible lakes. Summer is great for paddling, boating, swimming, fishing, and ATVing. In the winter there are many snowmobile trails and ice fishing lakes nearby and a ski resort a half hour away. Includes decks, a dock, small wading area, and a boat launch. Included for use is a canoe, 2 kayaks, and a pedal boat.
DOCK STOOLS for the swim up bar!- PLEASE DO NOT STAND ON OR JUMP OFF.
A Ping Pong Table in the garage with a screen to look out at the river when you take a breather! There are 3 bedrooms-Master-King, middle room-twin Bunk Bed and third room Queen. There is a large rec room called the “Almaguin Highlands” room with a gorgeous view of the river, Napolean gas fireplace, projector to watch your favourite movies, a card/puzzle table, and a sofa bed. There is a BBQ with refillable propane tanks. The OFF LIMIT areas include large grey shelter and the bathroom closet on the side of the tub.
Friday to Friday rental only in July and August
Check in 4 pm Friday/Check out Friday noon
All nights Max 6 people.
RENTAL AGREEMENT: will be attached or be emailed to you at the time of booking
COTTAGE RULES:
1. Off limits/ Personal space – Large grey shelter and the upstairs bathroom closet on the left of the tub.
2. Garbage and Recycling- DO NOT HAVE ANY FOOD GARBAGE OUTSIDE! Bears have been seen when food has been disposed of outside. There are clear garbage bags under the sink. Keep a garbage under the sink designated for food only (You can put a large clear garbage bag in the utility cupboard for convenience or large food items). Place it in garbage can downstairs by the furnace-until you check out. Renters are responsible for taking your garbage and recycling with you. There is a landfill/recycling in town, directions are in the cottage manual-hours on fridge. Recycling is free but regular garbage bags are $3 each and industrial size are $5. The town is now requesting BLUE DUMP CARDS in order to accept garbage-arrange with owner what day you will be going to allow time for us to acquire the card, otherwise it will be check-out date-will be located on the fridge.
3. SEPTIC TANK: Due to having a septic tank there are some important considerations to keep in mind:
Nothing but human waste in the toilets
Only septic approved toilet paper can be used
Some extremely important items that should never be flushed listed in manual-ex: flushable wipes, feminine products...
Do not park on grass inside the driveway-Septic bed
4. Fire pit burning-DO NOT USE WOOD STOVE WOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIREPIT.
BUY YOUR OWN FIREWOOD. Local roadside sellers, Valuemart, Home Hardware, and Petro-Canada. As you turn onto the 520 (and Midlothian Road) there is a sign to inform people of fire burning by-laws at that time-subject to change- When in doubt check the city of Burk’s Falls or Ryerson Township web page. DO NOT USE WOOD ON DECK-For wood stove only.
5. Bedding- We have sheets for all of the beds or bring your own. If you use our sheets and towels, we ask that you PLEASE start laundry on check-out day-soap provided (Our cleaners are not there long enough for multiple loads of sheets and towels). Leave the remaining laundry in front of the washing machine-sheets, pillow cases, and towels only. The master is a king size, middle bedroom has twin bunk beds, the third bedroom has a queen- sheets are in bin under the beds. Sofa bed in the living room full/queen size- sheets are in green bedroom closet. Downstairs sofa bed- memory foam topper and sheetsi (in bin) in the garage.
Towels available-bath, hand, and dish- many rolls of toilet paper provided. If you bring your own toilet paper please adhere to septic rules.
6. Enjoy the river! Take caution swimming as the current varies. Life jackets (in grey shed) PUT AWAY DRY!
*Children should wear personal flotation devices AT ALL TIMES in and around the river*
Use the river items- Canoe, kayaks, and the pedal boat. Blow up items, pool noodles and rope for tethers to the dock ladder are in grey shed.
DOCK STOOLS for the swim up bar! DO NOT STAND ON OR JUMP OFF!
A Ping Pong Table in the garage with a screen to be able to look out at the river when you take a breather! Respect the river and be environmentally conscious.
7. Damage- Anything that breaks during your stay just let us know. We will let you know if it would come off of your deposit.
8. Power outages- Generator-for some items. IE: water pump, fridge, etc.
9. No smoking in cottage or DAMAGE DEPOSIT WILL BE LOST- There are ashtrays in the front and back of the cottage.
10. The number of people to stay upon booking/in rental agreement is what you paid for. If any additional people visit, you MUST notify cottage owners. Additional charges will apply-MAX 6.
11. DOGS ONLY! Dog run available for evening “let-outs”, or must be leashed, to ensure they remain on the property. Please keep dogs off of the furniture. We do not charge a pet fee therefore, we expect owners must address all dog items (and notify property owner)- accidents are cleaned and use stain remover for smells, all dog feces picked up-poop scoops by the dog run on the deck and one downstairs by the door outside. We ask that any guests who bring a shedding dog to give the cottage a vacuum before you leave (in the front hall closet-please dump canister in your garbage).
12. Heating/Cooling the cottage- Use the thermostat in the hallway to the left of the pantry. We have many fans throughout the cottage including ceiling fans. If you use the AC- no colder than 24 degrees. Wood stove- read safety instructions-In the cottage manual. Hardwood on the rack next to the stove.
13. Water- Regular tap water not for drinking as it is not potable. (Fine for showering and brushing teeth-filtered) *We have an R/O SYSTEM for DRINKING WATER at the kitchen sink-small tap-25L capacity per day. There is also have a water cooler with a jug for your convenience in the rec room.
14. Internet is not unlimited-please be mindful of usage
15. Be environmentally conscious- RESPECT: the Neighbours -noise volume, loose animals, etc., Environment (NO FIREWORKS, recycle, reduce waste, etc., Wildlife-no food outside, leave habitats and animals alone, etc., Cottage-septic tank, electricity, etc.- try to keep the carbon footprint to a minimum.
*NOTE: PLEASE LEAVE TURTLES ALONE!!! They mate in the spring and use the boat ramp as their path to and from the water. We call it “Turtle Highway”. We protect all species here.
SEE CHECK-OUT RULES ON FRIDGE AND IN COTTAGE MANUAL.
Where to find things: Games/cards are in the green bedroom closet and DVD’s are in TV stand in living room and rec room. Dish rack-under sink, far left on shelf, Dish soap- under sink, large clear garbage bags/kitchen garbage bags- under sink
Multiple pots, pans, dishware and silverware, pizza stone/cutter, Lemon/lime juicer, etc. - please explore the cupboards.
First Aid kit-in tall cupboard next to the microwave. Fire extinguisher to the right of the tall cupboard
Emergency Vet Care-Huronia Veterinary Emergency Clinic- 391 Dunlop St W, Barrie, ON (705) 722-0377
What’s around the cottage?
Food/Beverage and Convenience: Within 10 minute drive
Collins’ Value Mart-24 Commercial Dr. Burk’s Falls (Hwy 11 Ferguson Rd. exit)
Tim Hortons-27 Commercial Dr. Burk’s Falls (Hwy 11 Ferguson Rd. exit)
LCBO-10 Commercial Dr. Burk’s Falls (Hwy 11 Ferguson Rd. exit)
Kwik Way-170 Ontario St. Burk’s Falls (Hwy 11 Ferguson Rd. exit)
Home Hardware-181 Ontario St. Burk’s Falls (Hwy 11 Ferguson Rd. exit)
Firewood: WOODSTOVE: wood provided-Must be seasoned hard wood
OUTSIDE FIREPIT: Bring your own. As per Federal Law-Wood MUST be purchased locally-Value Mart/Home Hardware or roadside local sellers
Watersport/Power toy service centre: Snowmobiles, boats, ATV’s, and small engine repair-Stewarts Recreation: 326 Ontario St. Burk’s Falls 705-382-3331
Boat Rentals: Port Carmen Marina, Maijac Cottages & Marine, Huntsville Marine, Veterinary Services: EMERGENCY-Huronia Veterinary Clinic-Barrie 705-722-0377
Entertainment and Activities: Screaming Heads 925-1201 Midlothian Rd, Burk's Falls
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and Muskoka Ski Club-Huntsville
Huntsville Downs Golf Course-182 Golf Course Rd, Huntsville
Almaguin Highlands Golf & Country Club (Katrine Golf Club)-Katrine
Copperhead Distillery-141 N Horn Lake Rd, Burk's Falls
RiverBowl-310 Ontario St, Burk's Falls
See cottage manual for additional items and the shelf beside the fridge for pamphlets of places in the area
Please write in the “RIVER LEA” guest book. (in the wooden duck). We want to hear about any fun adventures or funny and interesting stories while staying at the cottage. We hope you love it as much as we do and will return again.
Jen White 905-658-2535