Welcome to our Cottage
Hosts: Jim and Kathi Lengel, jim@lengel.net, kathi@lengel.net
508-904-0749, 401-835-4736
Our Cottage is Your Cottage
Thanks so much for renting our cottage this summer. Please treat it as your own during your stay. You should feel free to use the camp, its kayaks, its canoe, and its paddle board. We trust you will treat the cottage and the boats with respect, and leave the cottage and its contents as you found them. Please do not hesitate to contact us during your stay with any questions or comments. We would love your feedback to help us make future rentals successful.
Ours is an old-fashioned family camp, built in 1950, and designed for summer use on a clean, friendly lake. It’s not a resort. The other camps are close by, so be aware of the noises you make. We have renovated the cottage, but not changed its basic primitive seasonal character. The cottage still gets its water for washing and bathing directly from the lake — but a separate station for bottled drinking water has been installed. The cottage sports neither air conditioning nor central heating, but all the windows open, and each room includes supplemental electric heaters, controlled by thermostats, for chilly nights.
Camp L-More is a place for swimming, boating, reading, conversation, hiking, family meals on the deck, and early bedtime. It is not a place for loud music, television, video games, fast driving, or late-night parties.
Arriving at the Cottage
Camp L-More is located at 720 Camp Road, Elmore, Vermont. Entering Camp Road from the south, we are the ninth cottage on the left, at number 720. There are two parking spaces just off the road. Please park there, not in the road itself. From the parking area, walk down the gray wooden steps, along the steppingstones through the garden, and onto the porch. The first door you come to is your entry. You may check in anytime after 4:00 PM. The door has a keypad lock. We’ll provide you with the code for visitors before you arrive. Please lock the door when you leave the property.
Putting your stuff away
We’ve left cubby storage spaces in each of the bedrooms, along with a small hanger space in the north bedroom. You’ll find an empty refrigerator and cupboard space for your food in the kitchen and pantry. Feel free to use (and replace) the spices and staples such as coffee, oils, flour, sugar, and so on. You may also use (and replace) any pasta, soup, seltzer, beer, wine, or other staples as needed.
Linens and such
All beds are provided with fresh sheets and towels. Extra sheets are located under the beds each bedroom. Please leave all wet towels hanging to dry. Bed linens may be left on beds for the Housekeeper.
Trash and Recycling
Under the kitchen sink you will find a white container for trash and a black container for recyclables. Bags for these cans can be found in the pull-out cupboard to the left. When they fill up, tie the bags and place them in the covered containers outside just below the parking area.
When you Leave
If you’re leaving for several hours and it looks like rain, please close all the windows and doors. The awning windows in the bedrooms and in the peak may be left open several inches. When you’re vacating the unit at the end of your stay, please:
- check out before 11:00 AM.
- leave all towels hanging to dry.
- leave linens on beds for the Housekeeper.
- close all windows, turn off the heaters if you’ve used them.
- retract the awning.
- close the valves on the propane tanks under the porch and at the grill.
- remove all trash and recycling.
- remove all food that you brought in
- check to be sure that all the boats are secured.
Kitchen
You’ll enter the cottage through the kitchen, sink to your right, stove to your left, cabinets all around, pantry straight ahead. Sorry, no dishwasher; the cottage’s fragile septic system cannot manage such a convenience. But the double-bowl sink and drainer (above the fridge) will make your hand-dish-washing easy.
The gas cooktop will not work until you open the valve on the propane tank under the porch. Don’t forget to close this valve when you leave. The oven is electric, and very simple to operate. One knob for the temperature, one knob to select the burners (top and bottom) and the fan setting, one knob to turn it on and set the time.
The drawers and cabinets and overhead rack contain the utensils, pots, pans, serving spoons, baking dishes, glasses, and basic supplies you’ll need for preparing meals. If it’s not in the kitchen, look in the pantry or the dining cabinet. Call us if you can’t find something you think should be there.
The water from the main faucets comes directly from the lake. It’s been filtered and disinfected through the system mounted on the north side of the camp, and suitable for most uses. If you’d rather not drink it, use the water cooler in the pantry. A spare full bottle may be found in the far corner of the north bedroom. If that second bottle runs out during your stay, Hannaford’s Supermarket in Morrisville sells them. You may also wish to bring your own bottled water for drinking.
Bathroom
It’s got to be the smallest bathroom you’ve ever seen. But it works. Nothing goes down the toilet unless it:
- is toilet paper; or
- has made a complete trip through your body.
There’s hot water for the shower, but it won’t last forever. The shower water – filtered and disinfected — comes from the lake.
If it’s chilly, turn on the towel warmer to heat the bathroom. The switch is behind on the lower right.
Heating and Ventilating
It’s a summer cottage, but the thermostat in the pantry can be set to warm the main room on chilly nights. Slide your finger up the side of the thermostat to raise the temperature. Each bedroom has a baseboard heater with a knob for control. To cool things down, use the ceiling fans — one in each room. The fan in the main room operates from the remote control on the pantry wall. Those in the bedrooms require you to pull the chain.
Pets
Unfortunately, we have family members with severe pet allergies so no pets are allowed in the cottage.
Children
Children are welcome at Camp Elmore, but must be under adult supervision at all times, in the cottage, on the deck, on the waterfront, on the dock, and in the boats. They must wear life jackets on the boats. They may not run in the cottage, on the deck, on the dock, or on the stairs. Children may not be left alone at Camp Elmore.
Smoking
You may smoke outside, but not inside.
Electronics
Wifi
Our wireless access point is called “LEYC.” Its WAP password is “wirelesspassword.” It’s connected through the white dish antenna just off the deck, then to another antenna on the Elmore firehouse, then to another on Ricker mountain in Hardwick. As you might suspect, the connection is often interrupted. To reset the wifi, look in the lower part of the corner cabinet in the living room, find the red switch and turn it off. Count to ten and turn it back on again. When the light on the router is steady white, the connection should return. You may need to do this a few times each day. Our access provider is New England Wireless.
TV
We do not have a television at the cottage. And for good reason. Better to play a board game, read a book, paddle a kayak, have a conversation, sing a song (softly), or contemplate the lake and the mountain and try to spot the loons.
Noise
The cottages on the lake are quite close together. The summer community respects the peace and quiet of this Beauty Spot of Vermont. Keep your conversations quiet and civilized. Avoid playing music or radios outdoors. If you are making more noise than the birds, you’re too loud.
The Deck and Grill
Deck
We spend most of our eating and reading time on the deck. If it’s rainy or too sunny, crank out the awning, but not all the way — it will sag and stick if you go too far. The red lines on the hinges show the maximum extension. Crank the awning back in whenever you leave, or if it gets windy. The deck needs some shoring up, which we have planned for later in the fall, so be gentle with it.
Grill
The gas grill is located down the stairs from the deck on the north side of the cottage. The valve on the propane tank will be closed, and the grill will be clean. Please leave it that way when you are done cooking. Grilling and cleaning tools are under the shelf on the left side. An extra tank of propane may be found under the house in case you run out. Leave the grill cleaned and covered when you depart.
Garden
We often take our morning coffee in the sunshine on the small red table in the garden. If it’s too sunny on the deck in the afternoon, the garden will be shady.
Tools
If you need to make any small repairs, you’ll find a collection of tools in the Tool Room off the north bedroom.
Neighbors
Nancy and George live at #730 to the south. Greg is at #710 to the north. Say hello if you see them.
Water
Water for drinking should be taken from the water cooler in the pantry. Water for washing is pumped up from the lake, and is distributed to the sinks and shower. This water is filtered and purified by a system installed on the north side of the camp near the gas grill. Should the filter become full of sediment, the water pressure will drop, and you’ll need to replace the filter. Spare filters may be found inside the red shed.
To replace the filter, follow these steps:
- On the right side of the filter housing, move the white valve handle up and toward you until it stops. This will shut off the water from the pump.
- On the left side of the filter housing, press in the red button until water squirts out. This will relieve the pressure.
- Unscrew the clear plastic filter container. Use the wrench if necessary. Don’t lose the gasket at the top.
- Throw away the old filter and drop in the new.
- Screw the filter container back on. Make sure it goes all the way in. Tighten by hand.
- On the right side of the filter housing, move the valve down until it points to the ground. This will turn the water back on.
- If necessary, pull the red pressure-relief button out until it stops dripping.
Enjoying Lake Elmore
Getting to the lake
Take the stairs from the yard to the lake. The water is clean, and tested regularly by the State of Vermont. It’s about a foot deep at the edge, and about three or four feet at the end of the dock. Don’t jump off head first! The deepest part of the lake is sixteen feet. There are no currents or deep holes near our cottage.
Children may not be left unsupervised at the shore, in the water, on the dock, or on the boats. Children must wear life jackets on the boats at all times.
At the Elmore State Park at the north end of the lake you will find a sandy beach, lifeguards, boat rentals, and a snack bar.
Boats
- We have five kayaks: 3 adult sized and 2 for kids up to 130 pounds, as well as a stand-up paddleboard. They and their paddles live upside-down on the slope in the grass.
- The canoe may be found upside-down on the grass, or tied to the dock, with its paddles inside it.
- The white rowboat may be found at the dock, on the slope, or under the deck.
- Life jackets are hanging under the deck. Children under 14 must wear a life jacket while on a boat. Adults must wear or carry a life jacket on a boat.
- The lake has lots to explore. Enjoy the paddling, but obey the signs that mark the loon nesting area – don’t paddle past them. When you are done, put the boats onto the slope, or tie them to the dock so they don’t float away in the wind. When you leave, put the boats back up in the grass, upside-down.
Again, children may not be left unsupervised at the shore, in the water, on the dock, or on the boats. Children must wear life jackets on the boats at all times.
The electric pontoon boat may only be used by guests with a motorboat driving permit, and plenty of boating experience, and only with Jim’s permission. Please contact Jim (508-904-0749) for operating instructions before using the pontoon boat.
Swim Platform
The water at the swim platform is only five or six feet deep, so don’t dive off head-first. When you are finished enjoying the platform, lower the backrests and table, and swing the ladder up on top.
Children must be supervised by a parent or grandparent when using the swim platform.
Bikes
We have several old but reliable bikes available for your use. They are in the small side yard near the grill. Camp Road is flat and very bike-friendly. Route 12 is not. Confine your pedaling to Camp Road, and to the small section of Route 12 between Camp Road and the store.
Hikes
One of the best short hikes in Vermont leads from the State Park at the north end of the lake to the fire tower on Elmore Mountain
Where we buy:
Groceries:
- Elmore Store, north end of the lake. Reachable by boat, bike, car, or on foot.
- Hannaford’s super market, Brooklyn Street, Morrisville.
- And don’t miss the home-made meat pies, fresh or frozen, at Thompson’s Flour Shop in downtown Morrisville.
Farmers’ Markets
- Morrisville, Saturdays 9-1, 80 Fairgrounds Plaza Route 100, Morrisville
- Stowe, Sundays 10:30-3:00, 2043 Mountain Road, Stowe
Restaurants
Our favorite take-out is the home-made pizza at the Elmore Store, serving Thursday through Saturday evenings during the summer. A gourmet delight, with fresh local ingredients. Call ahead to place your order. You’ll find the menu in the printed Guide.
The Elmore Store will also make you old-fashioned deli sandwiches to order.
Morrisvile, a few minutes north on Route 12 by car, hosts many restaurants, at all levels of dining excellence:
- The Charlmont is a Vermont landmark, at the corner of Routes 15 and 100. Family dining.
- Hoagies, nearby on Brooklyn Street in Morrisville, has creemees and Italian food.
- Siam Valley Thai serves up the real thing at reasonable prices. It’s on Brooklyn Street in Morrisville on the way to Hanaford’s Supermarket.
- New Fu-Lin’s (say that three times fast) is also on the way to Hannaford’s.
- Downtown Morrisville also has a coffee-pizza place.
- In Morrisville Corners, a mile or so west of the town, is a famous barbecue place, the Black Diamond.
- Another fifteen minutes south on Route 100, in Stowe, can be found too many restaurants to list here.
Beer and Wine:
Closest selection for beer and wine is the Elmore Store. For hard liquor you must travel to the 802 Sprits Shop at MoBev in Morrisville near the bridge.
Craft Breweries:
- Rock Art in Morrisville
- Lost Nation in Morrisville
- The Alchemist in Stowe
- Von Trapps in Stowe
- Hill Farmstead in Greensboro
Laundry:
You’ll find a laundromat on Brooklyn Street in Morrisville next to Hoagie’s.
Thank you for staying at our little old-fashioned camp. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Jim and Kathi Lengel
508.904.0749, 401.835.4736