Check-in: 3:00 pm

Check-out: 11:00 am

What IS Provided:

1. All linens, towels, paper products, dishes & dozens of utensils.

2. Basic cooking supplies - oil, salt & pepper, ground coffee, tea, sugar, and coffee filters.

3. Propane for the outside grill.

4. Shampoo and body wash.

5. Cleaning supplies (should you need during your stay.)

6. Fresh eggs daily.

7. One bundle of firewood, fire-starters and lighters for the firepit. Additional firewood may be purchased onsite at $6 per bundle.

What YOU should bring:

1. K-Cups if you prefer (the coffee maker uses both.)

2. River shoes or water socks for wading the river.

3. Bug spray in the summer months.

Riverside Cottage

House Rules

Please review the following house guidelines:

  • No smoking, vaping, or marijuana use indoors. Smoke what you’d like outside of the home ($250 cleaning fee for any smoking/vaping incident.)

  • No parties or events.

  • Pets are not allowed on the property.

  • Two (2) adult guests maximum.

Security/Damage Deposit

Your deposit for security shall be refunded provided the following provisions are met:

  • No smoking or vaping occurred.

  • No damage or loss to property.

  • Check-out instructions abided by.

  • Occupancy limits observed.

WIFI

The home does NOT have cable or satellite television but it is equipped with a smart Amazon Fire TV.

wifi network: Riverside Cottage

password: rapidanriverguest

House Guide

Front door lockbox

I will email the lockbox code prior to your arrival.

1. To UNLOCK: Enter the 4 digit code into and press down on the lever.

2. A keychain with a key is located inside the box.

To unlock the door, turn the key and press the handle DOWN. To lock the door, lift the handle UP first, then turn the key.

Garbage disposal

The kitchen sink does not have a garbage disposal in the sink. Please use the sink strainer and do not dispose of any large food products down the drain.

Ice maker (removed)

The ice maker has been removed due to guest feedback. Ice cube trays are provided but I recommend bringing an ice chest with extra ice if you need.

HVAC/ MINI SPLIT

Each mini-split unit has its own remote control thermostat, located on the wall near each unit.

Window blinds

Each tiny home has blackout windows. Gently pull down on the cord to lower the blinds. To raise the blinds, gently pull the roller as far as it will go, then hold the cord as you raise the shade.

Toilets & septic system

Each house utilizes a septic system and it can only process normal toilet paper. DO NOT flush wipes or other products as it will cause an immediate pump back-up and ruin your stay!

Outdoor lights

The outdoor lights are provided for your safety and comfort, however, please do not keep outdoor lights on overnight. The outdoor lights attract bugs and also impact the neighbor's nighttime views. Thanks in advance!

Amazon Fire TV

An Amazon FireTV is located in each tiny home. Login to your Amazon account to access the TV.

Well water

The tiny homes utilize water from a nearby well. The water is safe but does taste different than treated city water. A brita is provided for your convenience.

Stove/hot plate

Be careful to NOT turn on the hot plate by accident. Turn on stove by using the power button, then select which burner and temperuature setting (1-9) to use.

Ninja coffee maker

The coffee maker utilizes ground coffee or KCups. The user manual is included inside the home.

Garbage/recycling

A large trash bin is located behind each tiny home. Please place all trash and recycling in this bin. I sort recycling at the county waste center. I must hand carry trash to a local center so please ensure ALL trash is bagged.

If you are staying for longer than one week I will coordinate a time with you to collect the trash.

Before you leave please…

  • Check the fridge for any leftovers. Discard any unwanted food.

  • Please load and run the dishwasher. Cleaning pods are located under the sink.

  • Place any remaining bagged garbage in the trash bin behind the house.

  • Do not worry about stripping the beds or gathering towels.

  • Check for any remaining personal items and log out of your FireTV account (if applicable.)

Wood Burning Hot Tub

Steps to Prepare the Hot Tub

Before you begin, remember to take pleasure in the process. Be mindful of each action, from splitting the firewood to stirring the water—it’s all about creating a meaningful experience, rather than focusing on the end result.

The hot tub process takes about 2 hours from prep to reaching the desired temperature. Keep this in mind when preparing for your soak. The water is changed with each guest, and a small amount of Bromine is used to maintain clean water during your stay. Leaves and other debris can fall into the hot tub, use the skimmer to remove debris before use. Firewood and fire starters are provided for your convenience. There can be some discoloring of the water - this is natural due to the cedar wood inside of the hot tub and natural exposure to the elements.

1 . Check the water

  1. Remove any debris in the water—a pool skimmer is provided.

  2. Check the reminder ring at the base of the chimney to ensure there’s enough water in the hot tub. The ring is located at the base of the chimney.

2 . Start the fire

  1. Firewood is pre-placed inside of the stove. Just use the long lighter to start the fire. Keep no more than 3 or 4 logs inside the stove.

  2. Remove the lid to the stove box.

  3. Carefully light the fire.

3 . Start the fire

  1. Remove the lid to the stove box.

  2. Place 1 fire starter at the bottom of the fire box.

  3. Add the kindling criss-cross style over top. Make sure not to use too much, as you want enough room for air to circulate around it. 

  4. Carefully light the fire using the long lighter.

4 . Build up the fire 

  1. Once the kindling stack is burning nicely, move up to larger pieces of kindling.

  2. After adding and getting the larger pieces burning, add increasingly larger logs approx. 3-4” in diameter. Note: anything bigger than this will draw energy out of the fire instead of transferring it into heating the water.

  3. Arrange the wood loosely so that air can get around each log, and then fill the stove to the top.

  4. Replace the lid, keeping it open by about 1” to provide air intake to the bottom of the fire, helping it burn.

5 . Feed the fire & stir the water

  1. Continue to stock the stove with wood so it slowly feeds itself and the fire doesn't go out.

  2. Check the fire every 30 minutes or so, adding wood if needed.

  3. When the water starts to feel warm, stir it with the wood paddle to mix the bands of hot water with the cold (otherwise the water temperatures stay separated and it takes longer to warm up the water).

  4. If you have a hot tub cover, put it on to help the water retain heat.

While you wait for the Wood Burning Hot Tub to slowly yet steadily heat, find a mindful activity to help yourself slow down: swim, prepare a meal, tend to your garden, read a book, or just tune into nature. Be sure to remember to check the fire and stir the water after 30 minutes has passed.

6 . Prepare to soak

  1. Close to the 90-min mark, roll back the cover to check the temperature of the water with a thermometer or by immersing your wrist in the water.

  2. When the water is close to your perfect temperature, stop adding wood and close the stove lid—it’ll soon arrive at your temperature. As an example, if you’re seeking 104℉ (average hot tub temp), close the lid around the 95℉ mark.

  3. Allow the fire to smolder during your soak, adding more wood if necessary to help maintain the heat.

Driveway to Riverside.

The drive curves along the river and has a very small cliff on the right side. The video below shows the road as you are approaching the tiny home.