The Good Place Lake House Rental Guide - START HERE

Welcome to our home...

The Good Place Lake House is located at 100 Lower North Shore Road, Branchville, NJ.

This home was built almost 100 years ago and was in pretty shabby shape before we renovated it in 2018. It has a rich history — rumor has it that Babe Ruth once slept here! — and some unique original details like the little wooden door built into the stone wall by the water. This was once the home’s original well-water source and, later, used as an icebox.

Enter the house from the keypad at the side mudroom door (on the right as you walk down from the parking area).

The access code to the house should be the last four digits of your phone number.

Check-in time is usually 5 pm. However, when possible, we'll get you in earlier.

The house has a well-stocked kitchen (pots, pans, spices, etc.) and other household goods like toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, laundry detergent, hand soap, etc, to make you comfortable immediately upon arrival. If possible, please replace any supplies you use so that the next guests can arrive well-stocked.

WIFI
Wifi Name: PanoncaLakeGuest
Password:   ThisistheGuestPassword

HOUSEKEEPING REMINDERS:

• Trash goes out Tuesday night. Keep cans by the curb so as not to miss pickups.

• Please refrain from flushing anything other than toilet paper in the toilets. Please, NO flushable wipes or feminine hygiene products. Our septic systems on the lake are fragile so we appreciate your help in keeping our lake and septic systems clean.

• Please do not put any food scraps down the kitchen drain; these must be discarded in the trash.

• Bedroom blinds are all cordless. Just gently pull down or push up to operate.

• The water in the house comes from a well and gets "triple-filtered" (through UV and Reverse Osmosis systems) for drinking through the fridge or the tap next to the kitchen sink. Please make sure all faucets are off when not in use. We try to be thoughtful about water waste on the lake as our wells can be shallow.

• The kitchen sink faucet has a water-saving feature. When the water is on, you can simply tap the faucet to stop/start the water. This comes in handy when washing dishes or when cooking a meal.

• There are locked owner's closets in 2 bedrooms. Those are NOT for guest use.

• FOR YOUR SAFETY, NO GLASS OF ANY KIND IN OR NEAR THE HOT TUB! Cans or plastic cups (located above the coffeemaker) only.

• The stovetop is glass, so please be gentle with heavy pans while cooking. No cast iron or abrasive cleaning products, as they could scratch the surface.

FOR CHECKOUT:

• Please run the dishwasher before you leave on your last day.

• Bed linens and towels are provided. At the end of your stay, we ask that you please strip the beds and place all bedding and used towels in the mudroom for Property Management.

• Please DO NOT remove the blankets, duvets, and mattress protectors unless they are dirty, as these are washed & rotated regularly. Check-out time is 11 am. Cleaners will be arriving then to prepare the house for the next guests.

• Please take out trash and recycling and put in cans by the road. The trash can has a bear-proof strap, so open it by un-clipping the strap on the top and then re-clipping when done loading. This method has passed the bear test…as you may notice from the claw marks & bites on the can!  : )

• Please leave all clubhouse wristbands on the table in the mudroom for the next guests.

• Lock the side door on your way out, please!
  

  NOTE: Please be aware that spring and summer are "bear season," so please do not leave food or trash outside overnight unless it’s locked securely in the bear-proof trash can.

LA CANTINA DOORS:

One of the best features of the house is that you can totally open it up to the lake! We love the LaCantina doors and usually keep them open all day. Doors should be closed at night due to animals (and yes, this includes bears). There is NO handle on the porch side of the door, so if you go out and close the doors behind you, you will have to re-enter through the mud room. For this reason, it’s best to keep at least one panel open for easy access in/out. These custom doors are HEAVY and can easily pinch fingers, so please do not let children push or play with the doors. The doors can be tricky to open initially, so please don’t force them.  If you have trouble, text us for tips at 202-841-0777.

CLICK HERE to see the proper opening of La Cantina doors.

KITCHEN APPLIANCES:

• LG electric range & oven with additional wall convection oven.

• LG wall microwave oven

• MocaMaster Coffee Machine (10 cups, size four (4) filters) and stovetop tea kettle

• Coffee bean grinder and milk steamer

• Basic 2-slice pop-up toaster

• Kitchenaid Blender and Magic Bullet (for smoothies)

• Air Fryer

• Charcoal and gas grills outside

• Waffle maker

• “S’mores Drawer” (It's the bottom drawer to the right of the stove. Help yourself!)

• And much more! The kitchen is well stocked, so if you’re looking for something specific, please let us know. It’s probably there!

FIRE PITS (outdoor) AND FIREPLACE (indoor):

• Please feel free to use the solo stove fire pit; however, DO NOT put the firepit cover back on until the pit is absolutely cold, preferably the next day.

• Please feel free to use the built-in outdoor stone fire pit down by the dock for all your food and s’more roasting! Wood for outdoor fire pits is stacked under the back deck. Help yourself!

• The indoor fireplace is wood burning but you will need to open the flue before starting a fire. To open the flue, pull forward on the lever located on the top right inside the fireplace. Butane lighters can be found on the mantel. When you are ready to check out, please push the lever back to close the flue. Always keep the fireplace screen closed, but keep glass doors OPEN when burning a fire. Only put COLD ashes in the ash bucket. There’s a small wood and kindling stack next to the fireplace.

OUTDOOR AND INDOOR EQUIPMENT:

• The Hot Tub is serviced weekly and ready for your use. To open, simply release the strap by removing the bolt (in front), fold back the top half of the lid over the bar, and then pull the bar to tip the whole top open towards the back. When not in use, please keep the cover secure and sealed by closing and re-bolting the strap. This prevents heat loss and keeps bugs out, so the hot tub can be enjoyed for the duration of your stay! Please text if you have any questions on how to open or operate.

• There are kayaks, oars, paddleboards, a large floating mat, and life vests for your use (all sizes from toddler to XL Adult). Life vests are located on a small shelf in the basement by the Skeeball Machine. **NOTE: For safety, kayaking and paddleboarding are ONLY allowed around the perimeter of the lake between the shore & the swim platforms (NOT across the middle). There is a patrol boat that will escort you back to the edge if you attempt to cross the middle of the lake.

• Children are required to wear life vests while on any kayak or boat in Culver Lake. Adult paddleboarders & kayakers are required to have a life vest on board with them. We highly suggest that EVERY person wear a life preserver while swimming or boating on the lake as the current can change quickly and the water is deep. **NOTE: Toddler & infant vests are located inside the storage bench in the basement game room.

• The Trampoline has a max weight of 400 lbs. Please enjoy it but do so safely.
  **NOTE: Reminder that any use of outdoor equipment is at your own risk.

• The Charcoal Grill, Gas Grill, and Blackstone Griddle are set up for guest use. **NOTE: Please DO NOT use Big Green Egg Grill. It is not set up for use.

• Please enjoy the Game Room! Ping pong, foosball, skeeball, arcade table, Big Buck Hunter arcade game, and pinball are all for guest use. Switches to turn on machines are behind the Pinball and on the power strip for the Skeeball.

TIPS FOR A GREAT STAY!

Groceries & Food:

• Dale’s Market is a well-stocked little supermarket that’s conveniently located nearby. They have great fried chicken, subs, and side salads for an easy lakeside lunch.

• There is a brand new ShopRite located in Sparta straight down Rt 206 (about a 20-minute drive). It will be on your left once you reach Sparta. Located in the same shopping center is Jersey Mike’s, a Starbucks, and a few other chain restaurants.

• The Firehouse Bagel Company on 206 is close by and a popular place for locals. The breakfast sandwiches and bagels are great...and we’re NY’ers, so that’s saying a lot! It doesn’t look like much outside, but it is always packed. Delicious desserts too.

• The Mountain House Tavern & Grill is a good local restaurant only a few minutes away if you want to eat out or place a takeout order.

• Gyp’s Tavern is a well-known and beloved local watering hole on a little neighboring lake with great dive bar vibes (and only a few minutes away)!

• Pizza! - AG Pizza and Restaurant in Branchville has pretty good pizza, and they deliver!

• Italian Food - Nonno’s Italian Restaurant is highly rated and surprisingly good for a local spot!

• Jumboland has a fun drive-through ice cream lane that our kids love!

• The Circle in Newton, NJ, is perfect for a special dinner or celebration.

• The Farmer's Daughter, also in Newtown, NJ, is another good spot for a special meal.

Milford, PA:

For a nicer meal, there are a few good options in nearby Milford, PA (reservations recommended):

• Hotel Fauchere is very good, and they have a high-end bar downstairs called Bar Louis, which serves great food as well.

• The Dimmick Inn has an outdoor patio that is popular and always packed.

• Peter’s Europa House on Route 6 has good food, a lovely casual atmosphere, and lots of outside dining.

• Walpack Inn is a local institution and a lovely spot right near the Buttermilk Falls hiking trail.

Other Activities:

• Culver Clubhouse: Summer rentals include passes to our modest (but cute!) clubhouse - an easy drive or bike ride around the lake. There you’ll find a grassy area leading to a small beach with lifeguards, diving boards, and plenty of sand toys and umbrellas for guest use. Really great area for families with small children. There’s a playground and a little “canteen” for an easy lunch or treat by the water. It’s inexpensive and pretty good, so we frequently take advantage of this spot in the summer!

• Nature Lovers: There are two bald eagles that live on the lake, and their nest is walkable from the house. It’s an easy walk with or without pets and worth checking out for the chance to see these amazing birds up close-ish. When you walk out of the house, turn right and follow Lower North Shore Road around the bend and past the church. There’s a dead-end ahead, and that’s where you’ll see signs marking the area as preserved for endangered species. The nest is right there in a dead tree on the left.

• Fishing Fans: Bring your equipment because the lake is stocked with hybrid-striped Bass, Channel Catfish, and many others!

• Golf Lovers: Highpoint Golf Club is 17 minutes away and costs $47 pp (cart included). Skyview Golf is also nearby and has a beautiful course to play on.

• Stokes State Forest is right around the corner, literally within 1 mile. Great hiking trails with streams and waterfalls. We highly recommend Sunset Mountain Road for a drive or easy hikes.

• Buttermilk Falls is a beautiful and well-known hiking trail in the area.

• Skylands Stadium is nearby and hosts The Miners' minor league baseball games and lots of other events, from food trucks to carnivals. The games are fun and worth a visit if you like sports!

• Space Zoo: It’s hard to describe this family-owned zoo meets museum, but let’s just say — it’s something! Exploring this sprawling property is a fun way for families with children to spend an afternoon.

• Milk Street Distillery is a cool local Branchville spot to check out live music, events, or the tasting room.

• You can spend an afternoon tubing or canoeing down the Delaware River with Kittatinny Canoes. We go every year with friends for an easy, fun afternoon float.

There are several cute little towns nearby, such as Lafayette, NJ, and Milford, PA.

• Downtown Lafayette is a great antique area, and Milford is a cute place to walk around and grab lunch.

• Sparta, NJ about 30 minutes away. For sushi, try Tokyo Sushi in Sparta…take out only.

• Newton, NJ, is the place for all your everyday needs: Walmart, Home Goods, Marshalls, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

• Mountain Creek Resort has skiing, mountain biking, zip-lining, and a water park and is located about 30 minutes away in Vernon, NJ.

If you have any questions during your stay, please contact Marissa (202-841-0777).

We hope you have a wonderful, relaxing getaway. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions. Thank you for staying at The Good Place!

Sincerely,
Marissa and Nick