Ripple Lodge - Family Estate Long Lake *1928 in Traverse City

Ripple Lodge is a one-of-a-kind set of four houses & 2 cabins - five of which we typically rent out to one party in the Summer, or possibly to multiple parties in the Spring & Fall - that is located on about 1 acre of beautifully wooded land on the N.E. corner of Long Lake, with over 275 feet of lake frontage and a sandy beach. Still retaining its charm and atmosphere from the 20's, Ripple Lodge is the perfect spot to escape from the frantic pace and relax in comfort and seclusion - and a great place for a family reunion.  The Dining House and charming boat house as well as 2 separate cabins and, central to everything, the Big House that has four bedrooms and two luxurious bathrooms, not to menition a large living room w/Fireplace! - that's a ton of space for larger groups. Altogether there are two kitchens and dining areas, three screened-in porches: Big House, Dining House & Boat House - all facing the lake.  Speaking of "lake" - do note the clarity of Long Lake's spring-fed water, much better than many other lakes in the area!  For a more extensive view, visit my picasaweb album (public) - search for the name: Ripple Lodge: - Beautiful Colors & lots of birds (Loons, an eagle, a crane, ducks and geese, and many smaller birds-finches), towering trees, fresh air and delicious well water (please don't bring plastic water bottles!), and a great view of the Milky Way - the most natural of settings - Pure Michigan > it's right here.

If you are looking for something unique, not the typical modern hoopla but charm that goes back to 1928 - and lots of space, and lots of privacy, a Boat House right on the water, and plenty of room for kids on the beach front, a large Dining Room in the Dining house (seats 16+), etc. - Ripple Lodge is it.

Yes, we have a Verizon WiFi hotspot; Of course we have a dock and buoys, but bring or rent your own boat(s), the boat launch is right across the lake, about 1 mile away.  There's a TV but no reception out here, so bring your favorite DVDs if you wish.

Spring & Fall offer the utmost in quiet and affordability, unless you wish to see winter in what can be a brutal environment.  Lodging is limited to 8 adults once the thermometer dives below the freezing point. Contact Owner for unusual off-season (Winter) rental possibilities, 2-6 week minimum for 2 to 8 adults.

Our Boat House really is special--the only one of its kind that you will find on the entire lake!-->one that includes a porch and family room (520 sq. feet) right on the lakefront where you can watch your kids on our private beach (see picasaweb pics!).  Surrounded by woods at the end of a 1 mile dirt road, get away from the crowds and enjoy the seclusion. Where do you want to bed down? You can choose from the the Dining house, either of the 2 cabins or, for larger parties- the bedrooms and sleeping porches of the Big House. The cabins and Dining House have large bedrooms with their own bathroom/shower, the Big House has 2 bathrooms each having a large shower and one also with a 2 person tub. Hot water radiant heat and a "rehab" makes the Blue Cabin special though the "old" is special too, everything is kept immaculate.  Ripple Lodge is undergoing continuous improvement and promises to retain the best of the old as well as the new. - If you're looking for granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, sorry this is NOT the place, look elsewhere--but if a sharp knife and a fridge that keeps the beer cold is all that is needed, we have the essentials: a washer/dryer, an espresso maker, an ice cream maker and, best of all, the most natural of settings! We provide linens and bath towels but bring your own beach towels. Should you have any special needs, give us a call and let's talk.  Our Big House is handicap friendly with large doorways and spacious walk-in showers.

We also offer child care, swimming lessons, cooking classes.

Swimming, Boating, Biking, Nature Walks--a peaceful and private environment!  Do you like to grill?--we've got TWO larger Webber grills and a beautiful spot under towering pine trees looking down at the Lake.  Traverse City is just 10 minutes away offering all of its activities; Sleeping Bear dunes is a 20 minute drive.  Most important of all > Long Lake is special, having some of the clearest water of any lake in Michigan and is about 7 miles long by 1.5 mile wide - not to mention 75 feet deep in some parts:  the Mozart of Michigan lakes!  Our boathouse and beach face West so the sunsets are superb and the boathouse is perfectly situated to keep an eye on your kids playing on the  beach. Don't forget your boat, walleye is the fish to catch.  The Dock goes out in June, and comes back in in October.  During OFF Season, we are especially quiet and affordable, the lake is swimmable until October and the ice comes in around Christmas - Ice Skating, Ice Fishing, or just read a book in the seclusion.

During the Summer we ONLY rent to 1 party at a time- by the Week (Sat to Saturday); during
 OFFSEASON we possibly rent to multiple parties, by the week, the month, or just for a weekend:
        
Spring/Summer 2013:  Only the following weeks remain available!: Priced for 8-12 people:
 
May 18-25th - $2,400; May 25th June 1st - $2,800; June 1-8 - $3,000; June 8-15 - $3,200;
Aug 25-Sept. 2 - $3,200; Sept 2-Sept 8 - $2,800; Sept 8-15 - $2,400; Sept 15-22 - $2,000.

Dogs cost $75 each/week - to cover the extra effort in cleaning, they are ONLY allowed in the Dining House & white cabin unless special arrangements are made.

The Calendar (Winter excepted) is kept accurate regarding our current bookings, so please use it as a guide. First come, first serve. Your "week" can be swapped with any unbooked week should you need to change your plans.  Check-in after 4PM; Check-Out by 10 AM - unless special arrangements are made in advance.  Sat to Sun and Sun to Monday 8-day rentals possible last 2 weeks of August.

Please note:  Price varies depending upon size and composition of party, number of dwellings, time frame and whether you have rented here before. 

Bookings for this year: 25% down to reserve, another 25% due 3 months out, the other 50% is due 6 weeks prior to arrival; (Bookings for NEXT year: $500 reserves; 1/4 due on Jan 1).  $500-$1,000 Deposit due on arrival.  For those wanting to "charge it" - we can arrange payment invoices via PayPal.

Above bookings are made >2 Months in advance; BELOW bookings are made <2 Months out!
                                                                        (Multiple parties possible) 
Big house, sleeps 8-16 - 2 Nt. min. $1,200-$2K; Dining House, sleeps 4+- 2 Nt. min. $600;
          Blue Cabin, sleeps 2+ - 2 Nt. min. $350; White Cabin, sleeps 2+ -2 Nt min. $250.

Winter Rental:  November through April:  2-8 people for 2wks-3 mos! - $3,000 min. 

Breakfast, Brunch or Dinner - by arrangement:  $10 - $25 per person:  Indian, Thai, Mexican or American cuisines.

A Note regarding the PICTURES >>  (more pics in picasaweb)
 1 & 2 are: N. Beach  &  Dining House; 3 & 4 are: Dining House: Dining Room & Bedroom;
     5 & 6 are:  Blue Cabin; 7,8 & 9: Big House - Tub & Shwr room,  Big Room, Kitchen; 
       10: Boat House;    11 & 12 are:  Winter & our 275' Lake Frontage! {Clarity of water}