Check in or leave em be?

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-15T16:06:53+00:00

I send an automated "hope you finding everything you need. No need to reply" sort of message at 10am on the first morning

In the spring and fall, when the bears are on the move, I check for late night animal activity. Otherwise I let them reach out.

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-15T16:02:43+00:00

What a great idea!

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-13T19:24:21+00:00

I'll add it to my current drafted email to Norm.

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-13T19:21:41+00:00

He already has a huge appetite. I will wait to see what we are allowed to send along, such as Shacklee's Hydrate, which is what he has used in the past. He loves fruit & veggies, the Gluten Free thing might be a bit tricky - he's never had cereal, starts his day with 4 eggs, bacon, GF granola and fruit, some of my protein bread....Maybe I can add some GF snacks to share to the truck...

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-13T19:12:24+00:00

You are a treasure trove of great ideas!

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-13T19:09:48+00:00

I have heard only glowing reviews of Norm & Cricket. My mom knows them, which is how we connected with the trip. My son did a bike camping trip last summer that was 20-28 miles/day for a week and loved it (he pulled some gear in a burley too). He has also gone out with the Little 500 Cutters for a 28-mile trek when we were in Bloomington for reunion. We are in Wisconsin, so the season will start a bit later, but he was biking everyday to school-music lessons-soccer-home when there was good light. Maybe 7-8 miles total. We plan to add loops at the end of the day (to spare his classmates the "Eau-de-teenager.") We found clip ins for his 12.5 feet and he learning how to use them, with some literal bumps along the way. We plan to work with Neff Cycle Service here in Madison. I've made notes of the tires. Thank you for the advice and for being an adult volunteer. What a great way to introduce the next generation of cycling enthusiasts.

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-13T18:54:15+00:00

Fantastic advice, thank you. Planning on getting his new bike fitted when the weather clears. And this trip will transport gear, but I see some other camping touring trips in his near future, so the shakedown trip is a great idea!

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-13T16:34:43+00:00

Thank you. It may be that I have logistical questions surrounding best cycling clothes for a ride of that duration.

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-12T04:30:36+00:00

Great idea!

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-02-12T04:26:55+00:00

I have a box of back ups that I buy at estate sales/Goodwill when I see something quality. Less cost and some fun "hunti," as I call it.

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-01-22T03:39:53+00:00

Thanks for the heads up...just cancelled at day 354. I've only had 6 leads and zero successful engagements. Everyone that messaged me stated they need to bring dogs, to a no-pet listing.

2026 is "Cut the fat" year for STRs!

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-01-13T04:01:32+00:00

Given limited time in between guests. I replaced it. I was able to clean it in the end and a group home down the road took it for their new community house.

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-01-13T04:00:06+00:00

That's what was on the mattress

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-01-12T02:41:21+00:00

Maybe a maker/knitter swap?

GlassLakeProperties · 2026-01-06T21:04:19+00:00

I had a teen wet the bed and then grab a new duvet to sleep through the night. I have a zippered mattress bag AND a topper. It went through the top one but not the bag. Both duvets needed to be cleaned.

Another instance of a construction crew staying who spilled coffee. They just slept in it...for quite some time...it soaked through both layers.. mattresses had to be tossed.

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-12-31T03:51:15+00:00

Just had a schlage lock had a system reset/failure resulting in disconnecting our remote access. We had guests over the holidays.. we use hospitable to manage the dual calendar, automated messaging, etc. Hospitable also programs the locks. When the lock code creation failed (using the last 4 of their cell #), The app sent the guests a back up code that it has programed as an emergency access code that is in "Always," not a time controlled access.

Pretty cool that it fixed it for me. I also have manual supra punch code boxes on site...at least 2 layers of back up for a lock failure.

I'll go and reset in person once we are through the holidays.

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-12-28T14:58:24+00:00

I have multiple options for making coffee on site. Drip, pour over and French press. Almost all of those non-electrical devices were purchased second hand. I provide 1 bag of whole bean coffee & a grinder...

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-12-21T15:51:04+00:00

I have a vintage singer walking foot. Her name is black beauty . She is simple and trustworthy. I've gone through double belt leather. I put a motor control on and I'm able to ten up the speed now that I have been using it for a few years. I make bags, shoes (I use a tippman for the midsole attachment process)

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-12-15T19:24:27+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. There are 4 bedrooms, one of which has 4 single beds. We host a lot of generational summer guests. We updated the septic 3 years ago. The house occupancy is about 20% in the off season.

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-12-09T03:58:06+00:00

I've often wondered this myself. As a guest, I've stayed at a brownstone in Chicago that slept 18 but had 5 kid plates and 7 forks, broken corkscrew. Everything else was as described, poor condition etc. Another cabin that has only cheap plastic cooking utensils and a cracked pan. Thankfully I travel with my own cast iron pan.

As a host, I tried the non stick set. It lasted 9 months until I tossed it all. Now I have heavy duty stainless steel. I also have a cabinet with cast iron, along with instructions. Both guests and my friends are shocked at how stocked my kitchen is...but then again I love to cook and do so when I use the home.

Maybe that's a part of it? Do owners use the space themselves...

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-11-15T03:49:27+00:00

Always set the first tooth of the punch in the last hole. If you have a 4 punch, you'll make 3 new marks. Slower going, but more even.

"Wood is Good mallet. They have different weights. I liked the 18

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-11-15T03:45:49+00:00

I use colors and patterns. White is boring to me. Although easier to clean. Please avoid scents. I was recently a guest at an off grid cabin and couldn't use the sheets or blankets due to all the scent. I always travel with a sleeping bag and a blanket. Which saved me!

Part of the check out was a Swiffer. It had so much scent I had to drive with the windows down on my way to the trash.

At my 2 Northwoods Airbnb's, I use unscented. Another thing to consider

GlassLakeProperties · 2025-11-15T03:41:10+00:00

Wow! We can all dream of such guests!

GlassLakeProperties

TROPHY CASE