2008 Winnipesaukee Cow Island Camp
(Molly's Place)

Camp Notes to Help With Your Stay
251 Cow Island, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

We are delighted to have you rent our island home. We hope it will be a great experience and you will look forward to coming back on a regular basis. The camp is called "Molly's Place" after the dear Aunt of ours that we lost a few years ago. This is our forth year renting and so you are part of an experiment that worked great last few years.

By way of background, we live in Tuftonboro, NH, only a few miles away from the camp, as the crow flies. This camp is primarily for the our use. We expect this makes it a nicer place to lease and hope that you will enjoy it as such. If you have questions, please contact me directly. Most everything in this list is subject to change as I learn more about how to do this right. Oh yes, if you have suggestions, I'd love to hear about them.

Dan Derby & family

NOTES

1. Location: The camp is located in a private cove on the North lobe of Cow Island. It is on the south side across from Ragged Island. It is not particularly visible from the lake.
2. Getting Around: If you don't have one, get a current lake map. Everyone recommends the "green map" by Duncan Press, available at most local sporting goods stores and marinas. The channels on the lake move around and the rocks are unforgiving. Be careful coming in an out of our cove. The rocks are easy to see in the clear water but the channel is circuitous. Don't be fooled by the way the neighbors do it. Some of them have going in and out for three generations and can do it in the dark (gulp). There's a satellite photo from one of last year's renters on the web site.
3. Keys: Under the front porch on the electrical outlet box left of stairs (picture on website). PLEASE PUT IT BACK THERE WHEN YOU LEAVE so the next renter can find them.
4. Important Phone Numbers

Phone at Camp – because everyone is bringing their cell phones these days, we do not have a land line installed this year. If for any reason, you need a land line, all the neighbors have them and they are nice people.

Fire & Police - 911 (you are at #251 Cow Island, Tuftonboro/ Lots number 183/184)

Dan Derby, owner: Home 569-0134 / Work 569-4181 / Cell 520-6734

Propane supplier: George Randal 253-7042

5. Kitchen: Hot and cold running water, pots, pans, toaster, frig, drip coffee grinder & pot, microwave, propane stove, sink but no dish washer. Serving and eating utensils are all there. In fact, there's typically lots of staples.  Eat! Eat! Don't leave anything that might spoil and be sure not to leave anything in frig...could be there for weeks!
6. Neighbors: This is a quiet, family area and our home is not a "party cabin". It is expected that those who lease it will respect that fact. The neighbors are all private family homes, not rentals. All very nice people. They have dogs and kids and generally own here because its quiet and beautiful. The dogs & kids will probably come visit to check you out. Be nice, make friends, have a great time. One of them is our attorney, in case you are looking for a good lawyer, he's a killer.
7. Storage building: the little one out back - it is locked and not available. Someday it will be a bunkhouse, but now it's full of sharp tools and junk. Not a nice place to play.
8. Toilets & Septic System: you shouldn't have to do anything with it. Don't flush dangerous chemicals or small animals down it. The upstairs toilet is brand new. Our little pump takes a while to fill up the bowl after you flush so patience is advised.
9. Power: It should be on and working (breakers are in the bathroom). Call if there's a problem. It has gone out during storms in the past. There are candles and lamps in the kitchen. It can be very romantic with all the power out, just don't burn the place down (literally, not figuratively).  TURN OFF THE WATER HEATER SWITCH WHEN YOU LEAVE, PLEASE!
10. Sheets & Pillow cases: Please bring your own linens. There are 3 twins and one standard double, and 2 very cool kids beds built into the wall (they are bunkbed size mattresses). There is not a washer or dryer on site. By the way, the two downstairs beds are singles set up to make entrance into the bathroom easier (you're welcome to pull them together). The upstairs beds are one single, two bunkbed sized built ins and a small double.
11. Housekeeping – Please leave it as clean and orderly as you would have liked it left for you. There are no available housekeeping services on the island that is affordable. Typically this means floors broom swept, kitchens ware and surfaces clean, trash removed with you to the mainland, frig cleaned out and camp contents back in order like when you came. This has never been a problem in the past (terrific renters!) and I want to thank you in advance for being thoughtful.
12. Food - Bring what you'll need (a few consumables such as salt, pepper, etc. are usually left there). To get more - 19 Mile Bay has a gas pump and a nice new convenience store (great homemade fries) for essentials and more. Wolfeboro has an excellent small grocer a short walk up from the town public docks. We will be leaving some staples (cereal, coffee, rice, etc.) in the cabinets. If you need some, use it and replace it when convenient. Please don't leave half eaten food in the frig or camp...I know, it's a shame to waste that chicken leg but outside of the occasional dog, most arriving renters will not understand your frugal good intentions.
13. Garbage: Again this year the boys from winniwaste.com are picking up trash if you wish.  Be sure not, repeat, not leave it in the cans but just leave it on the deck.  They charge $5/bag so use the big ones, you'll save money!
14. Charcoal Grill: We now have a big smoker, freshly painted and ready to go. There is a charcoal "chimney" on it to get it started. Just put twigs and paper in bottom and charcoal on top. It eliminates the need for starter fluid. If you expect to do much grilling, please remember to bring charcoal and please be careful. In a pinch, a log will burn nicely in it but will generate a lot of ash. Please leave the grill reasonable usable.
15. Wood stove: A small amount of split wood is on the back deck. There's a maul (wood splitter) on the deck for those of you who use it all up. See notes on proper use. Make you healthy to chop wood…or you can just send the kids out into the woods.
16. Kitchen stove: It is propane stove and the pilot lights should be lit. If it runs out (it shouldn't) and call George Randall and he will come and install another tank. Tanks typically last us a couple years so we tend to forget about them. George is variously - a year round residence of Cow Island, a character, a maintenance man, a teacher, a musician, a great joke teller. His number is 253-7042. Brace yourself, he’s an experience.
17. Water: The tap water comes from the lake. It is potable (means they say you can drink it). I don’t care for the taste and usually leave a couple gallons of spring water in milk jugs under the sink. If you use them, leave the empties on the kitchen counter so I can remember to replace them.
18. Hot water: there's an electric hot water heater under the bathroom sink. It's capacity is microscopic! Feel free to use as much water as you need . . . just remember the heat will run out no matter how fast you are. The upside is that it only takes a few minutes to reheat.
19. TV: There isn't one. If you absolutely need one (to prevent withdrawal in children) please bring your own. Reception is terrible. I recommend marshmallows and board games instead.
20. Games: Look under the kitchen counter nearest the main room. Lots of great old ones. If parts are missing, make your own.
21. Music: There's a small boom box. It has a tape & CD player. You are welcome to listen to any of our hundred or so tapes. If some of the tapes stick, change the tapes. There’s a great old fashion AM station in Wolfeboro (1420 on the dial) but it only broadcasts during the daylight . . . bobby socks and malted milks!
22. Books: please read, its a perfect place for it - if you don't finish one of ours and can't stand it to leave it behind, take it with you. Just leave a different one. (Exception: if it looks like a collectable, don't take it! My wife regularly has things at the camp that are "decorator"* items (anything from books to hats). Your guess is as good a mine as to which each of these might be.
23. Fishing gear: please feel free to use what's there. It's not much - less each year - so if you really want to be sure you have everything, bring your own. If you catch something big, take a picture and send us a copy.

(Note: I noticed that some of the local trout are spawning right next to the dock in past years. Early in the season, you can see them sitting on their "nests" which are light colored rock where they have cleared a patch to lay eggs. Don't bother them and if you catch one of these nesting ones, please release it so we’ll have little wild ones next year! Great little eco project for your kids to see!)

24. Our Boats: The aluminum row boat. Row to your heart's content. It's good for going out and around the rocks. It has a motor that my neither my attorney (both of them) nor my insurance agent will let you use. Sorry about that.  Our little white sail boat ("Duck!") moored on our side of the cove. Please do not disturb.
25. Fire pit: There is a crude fire pit to the front of the camp. NO LOGS - NO BONFIRES! It requires a permit and we have one, a copy is in the "camp book" on the kitchen counter and is supposed to be used only between 5 PM and 9 AM or when it’s raining. Scrounge for wood from surrounding area. It will keep the kids busy. It uses lots of marshmallows so bring extras.

Caution: . Did I mention: PLEASE DON'T USE BIG LOGS TO MAKE BONFIRES! :? IT'S DANGEROUS. The fire pit is meant for smallish "sit around" fires, not bonfires. I don't totally trust it to contain a large fire or to leave any smoldering fires unattended. Keep a water bucket around for extinguishing when you are finished. Again, please, no bonfires. They are too dangerous in these heavily wooded lots like ours plus they require a special permit that we do not have.

26. Hiking: There are tons of trails through woods in the interior of the island. We don't know of any maps so take care to not get lost (it's a fairly big island). The people are nice, though, so if you do get lost, tell them you need to get back to the Ragged Island side near "Lucy's". "Lucy's" is a famous but semi-secret restaurant about five doors south of us. It has one sitting a night (probably 25 people max) and there's a one year waiting list. Call, make a reservation for next year and rent with us again. Invite me.
27. Fauna: Besides an occasional bug and lots of fish, local animals consist of loons (there's a sanctuary across from the camp on Ragged Island) which will say goodnight to you at twilight; squirrels; a few mink and lots of ducks. Don't feed the ducks. They will hang around, leave a mess on the dock and they, believe it or not, have diseases that can be transmitted. Mink can occasionally be seen swimming between islands and on the shorelines. They are handsome and mean. Don't try to pet them (they never come near people if they can help it anyway) - they are the bad tempered cousins of weasels. The loons are endangered so if you want a closer look, please check in with the Nature Center on the south side of Ragged Island. They are beautiful singers, particularly in the evening. There is a "loon center" in Moultonboro or Center Harbor I think, for a nature outing.
28. Bugs: Hardly get any unless there are major outside lights (which we don't have.). If you boat near Ragged Island, you'll find them - Ragged is purposefully undeveloped with lots of little breeding ponds. If you want outside light, there should be candles in the camp somewhere. They look great and are very romantic. Don't bring a lamp from inside out or you will start a bug collection...for some reason they don't respond to candles. Just be careful with the candles...remember only you can prevent fires.
29. Water Skiing: I understand that the channel in front of the camp (between Ragged and Cow) has recently been made "no wake" so you shouldn't be running a boat fast enough for skiing there. On the other hand, many people still do and so use caution and keep a look out for those turkeys. The area on the opposite side of Ragged Island (south-west) is probably the best combination of open water and limited waves for wake boarding & skiing.
30. Access to Lake: See notes below.  New information on launching & parking!
31. Weather: Weather is weather and while summer is generally terrific on the island (warm days, coolish nights) you get what you get. If it rains, think books and board games.
32. What to Bring: food, bed linens & towels, flash light, sun lotion, charcoal, water (you may not like lake water taste, it is supposedly potable, TV & VCR if you have to have them), good books. Leave cares behind. Also, we had so many cans of pork & beans left from last year I'm thinking of banning them.…
33. Outhouse: That's a real, working outhouse behind the cabin. It was used until we installed the septic system. It's for emergencies. If you use it, you get to see our spider collection.

         Power Outages: The camp is served by the New Hampshire Electrical Co-Operative. It has, like most electrical companies, occasional outages. The whole island lost power for a couple hours at the beginning of this year. If that happens while you are here, here's our observations & advice. One: call the power company and complain to them. While you will probably be the umpteenth person calling, they are local, very polite and expect your call. Be nice. Their toll free number is 800 343 6432. You are on Cow Island at Lot Number 251.

        OK, now that you feel better, what to do? Well, you've rented a log cabin, in the middle of the prettiest lake in New England, on an island. Make the best of it. If it's dark, light a bunch of candles, start a fire in the stove (if you chilly) and get cozy. Your stove still works, the stuff in the frig will stay cool for many hours (well not the beer . . .the beer will warm up quickly and should be drunk as soon as possible . . . wine requires the same remedy) and if not, go stick it in the lake to keep it cool. The toilet will be good for a couple flushes (A bucket of water from the lake will also flush the toilet, into the bowl or tank.) or  then you get to use the outhouse.

         If you don't have kids, open a bottle of wine and get to know each other again. If you're a couple fishermen, keep the laughter down...:8). All and all, outages can be pretty terrific. If you do have kids with you, this is the time to send them thru TV / Xbox / Nintendo detox. Get out the puzzles, the games, the cards or if all fails, the marshmallows. This is absolutely the best way to enjoy the island and each other. We don't charge extra for power outages.

OTHER: I'm sure there are questions that will come up. I or one of my family will be available by phone  (Home 603 379-2712 / Cell 603 520-6734) during your stay for questions. We now live a ways away but if there's a problem, I'll do the best I can.

Dan

NEW FOR THIS YEAR:

LAUNCHING & PARKING

I found this website which delightfully tells the story on most of the lake’s public launch/park places.

http://www.bizer.com/w2launch.htm

Harilla Landing, in Moultonboro, is absolutely the closest launch to us. You could easily row a kayak from there and not break a sweat. Until this past weekend, I had never be there and we can see it from our deck! In any case, there is on ‘street’ parking (very rural & casual), a simple launch and a boat shop for maintenance and repairs. No other public services in walking distance that I saw. However, the guys at the shop were incrediably nice so if you have a boat problem (I did), I recommend them.

Next is Tuftonboro’s 19 Mile Bay launch & parking area. The Town of Tuftonboro continues to change their rules on using the Town Parking area at 19 Mile Bay so please, please check to make sure you understand them. On-line details are available at the town's website but I still buy them and leave one in the 'camp book' at the island.

http://www.tuftonboro.org/Ordinances/ParkingOrd%20updated%205.2004.htm

You need a permit to park overnight. I have two permits for this season for your use (little plastic tags that go on your rear view mirror). I will keep one in the blue "Camp Book" at the island camp if you need to use it.

PLEASE PUT IT BACK IN THE "CAMP BOOK" AFTER YOU USE IT. The other I will keep in my car as a "just-in-case".

FINALLY & AGAIN - NO BONFIRES!

Guest have used logs which did not burn well and are way too large for the pit leaving a mess and causing a dangerous situation. PLEASE DON'T DO THIS! FIRE IS A DEADLY THING ON AN ISLAND.

If a large fire is seen by the Marine Patrol, you'll get to meet them or the local volunteer firemen or both. There are a zillion small branches in the nearby woods that are perfect for collecting and feeding marshmallow sized fires.

MOST OF ALL, ENJOY!

LEGALIZE

I hate legalize but need to mention some a couple rental issues that are in the LEASE but worth repeating in a no nonsense form:

• Security deposit due: $450 upon booking. Nonrefundable unless residence is quickly otherwise be rebooked. Please include information on Occupancy plans and any timing issues.
• Balance due: 30 days prior to arrival date.
• Arrival: after 12:00 Noon on the first Saturday of starting week of stay.
  If it isn't rented the day before, we can negotiate an earlier arrival.
• Departure: on or before 9:00 AM on the final Saturday of ending week. Please don’t abuse (no one ever has), the next folks are as excited as you to get started on their vacation.
• Complaints from the neighbors (please see the Lease) can cause you to loose your deposit and vacate, immediately.
• No pets without prior written agreement.
• This home & its grounds are non-smoking.
• Drugs, firearms, fireworks, explosives or weapons are strictly prohibited.
• Occupancy: Single families lease only - maximum of six individuals - accommodations and use of the property is limited to persons covered in the lease you signed and sent to me. Changes or additions to your vacation party need to be arranged in advance. Includes day visitors. For violations, see "neighbors' complaints" (above).
• FIRE - You are on an island, while there is a fire boat, if you burn down my cabin, you pay for it and then some.
• Housekeeping - this is a island vacation rental, a private property, not a hotel/motel with cleaning service. Accommodations need to be left clean and orderly as they should have been when you arrived. Typically this means floors broom swept, kitchens ware and surfaces clean, trash removed to mainland and contents back in order like when you came. For garbage service, see above.