"Otter Creek"

Owner's Comments, Tips, and F.A.Qs answered

Thank you for considering a stay in our home!

And it actually is our home, as my wife and I stay there during the off-season, but move out during the summer so we can share it with lovely people like you! (and pay the mortgage since we're not making money selling real estate like we used to...)  I also design and build homes, and this happens to be the very first one I built, and still one of my favorites.

Features:

VIEW - From the renter's comments I've read on the check out sheet, the universal favorite aspect of this house is the view - it is outstanding, better than many other soundfront homes because of the unique location.  We are sheltered in a little cove on the south side of Colington Island, and we can see all the way to Roanoke Island, but also have a view over the marsh to woods on the left, and a small creek populated with otters, blue herons, osprey, kingfishers... the list goes on.  When you are in the house looking south, it feels like you are in a boat since all you see is water - I designed the deck to be a few steps down from the living area so the railing does not impede the view.

WATER ACCESS - The second best thing about the house is the water access - I've built a boat lift that is decked over with wood so you can actually put chairs on it, or sit in the kayaks while you are lowered into the water.  The water is only a couple feet deep, with a sandy bottom to the right , staying shallow for several hundred yards.  It's kind of muddy straight out and to the left, so try and keep to the right when walking on the bottom.  It's a perfect location for just about any water sport you can think of - jet skis, fishing, floating, kayaking... and the dogs love the shallow bottom too.

FURNISHINGS - We have two HUGE curved couches that are great for lounging or even sleeping; I'm 6'7 and I can lay flat on them they're so big.  Please use the blanket provided if you have kids or pets on them!

KITCHEN - Our kitchen is gas and stainless steel with two sinks and a bar around it that will seat eight people.  We try to keep it well equipped and organized... but sometimes things get moved during the season.  I'm a cook, so you should find everything you need for roasts, soups, crab boils, etc.

Features some people don't like:

MASTER BED - I've built the master bed up almost 4 feet off the floor - I like it high so I can lay in bed and look out the windows at the awesome view - some of our guests didn't though, as you have to use the ottoman at the foot of the bed to get in and out if you are short.  I will try to build a couple of steps for the 2010 season.  There is another king size bed on the second level at normal height.

GRILL - We have a nice big grill with cast iron grates... however, they do get dirty if people don't clean them after using it, so we've had complaints there.  If you turn the grill on high for twenty minutes then use the grill brush (I buy a new one every year), it will work great.  Please leave it clean for the next guest!

DOG YARD - our backyard is for dogs - we do have a landscaping service to keep it mowed, but it's not a manicured lawn - more of a mix of sand, mulch, weeds, some grass, and the occasional sand spur.