Frequently Asked Questions
Do you allow pets?
Everyone in our family owns more than one dog, thus dogs have always been welcome at the Cottage. However, if you plan to bring your dog (please no cats or other types of pets) we ask that you pay a modest pet cleaning fee of $50. This fee is non-refundable. We also ask that you limit the number of animals to two. There are no fences so please be sure you can control your pet and keep them from wandering off to the neighbors'. Also, if your dog loves the water, please don't let him or her into the house while still wet.
How sandy is the beach?
As beaches on Lake Champlain go, quite sandy. In practice, though, expect to see small rocks and pebbles as well as old mussel shells. If you are going swimming, we suggest you bring a pair of water shoes. Once off the beach your likelihood of stepping on a fresh water mussel (we always called them clams) increases. These can cut your feet, especially if you push off or land on one. Lake Champlain is now also home to Zebra Mussels, having made their way down from the St. Lawrence Seaway. While much smaller than the native mussels, they can also cut the unprotected foot.
How strict are check-in and check-out times?
We don't own guns and no one is going to call the State Police, but being out by 10 AM and not arriving before 4 PM is very important to Kathy, who takes care of the house. The big issue is laundry, not cleaning. If people are coming from different directions and meeting at the cottage, we understand that perfect timing is difficult. So if some in your party do arrive early, please stay out of Kathy's way. Thanks.
Where can we buy groceries?
Westport has two grocery stores, though one (Ernie's) isn't much more than a convenience store. In our experience, the best ideas are to either bring your own meats and produce and use the Westport stores to fill in the blanks. Or, go to the supermarket in Elizabethtown - about a 15 minute drive from the cottage. There you'll find everything you need. As you come into town turn left at the blinking light. The supermarket is up the street on the left. As you're sitting at that blinking light, look across the street to the right and you'll see the local liquor store. In New York, food markets sell beer, but only liquor stores can sell wine and other alcholic beverages. There is no liquor store in Westport. There is also a new supermarket in Port Henry, 20 minutes south.
What about other kinds of shopping and entertainment?
The primary, non-tourist shopping areas are Burlington, VT and Plattsburgh, NY. Plattsburgh is about 45 minutes up I-87 and has shopping centers and a mall. You can find Walmart and also a multi-screen theater complex. Burlington is larger still, though about twice as far. The closest Walmart to Westport is in Ticonderoga, about 30 miles south on Route 22.
What are the closest restaurants and what are they like?
In Westport there are 4 sit-down restaurants and a couple of take-out sandwich places. The cream of the crop is Le Bistro du Lac less than a mile from the Cottage. The cuisine is French, the setting spectacular (right on the lake) and the prices fairly substantial. This is also a great place for an evening cocktail or an after-dinner drink. There are two restaurants at the Normandie Beach Club. One offers a nice, though pricey dinner menu, while the other serves breakfast and lunch right on the lake. The Galley at the Westport Marina has great atmosphere. There is also a pizza/Italian place and a the Inn on The Library Lawn serves breakfast and lunch. Ernie's market offers a good selection of sandwiches and breakfast food for take-out, as does Everybody's market.
Can we trailer our own boat?
Of course. Westport has a public boat launch and the Cottage has a mooring in about 5 or 6 feet of water. There is enough swing room to accommodate a 20-25 foot boat. Small boats can also be pulled up on the beach. Please let us know in advance if you want to use the mooring.
Also be advised that there are now two places to rent boats in Westport. The Westport Marina offers powerboat rentals and so does the Normandie Beach Club, on the Northshore.
How long does it take to get from place to place in upstate NY and Vermont?
To get from NYC to the cottage figure on about 5 hours, obviously less time from the City's northern suburbs. From Albany the drive is about 2.5 hours. Burlington, Vermont is an hour to an hour and a half, by ferry from Essex to Charlotte or by bridge. Ferries run every half hour in the summer and they are a great way to see the lake. Driving time to Essex is about 20 minutes. If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, take the drive up I-87 to Montreal. It'll take the better part of 2 hours to get to a different world. Finally, if you want to go up into the mountains, Elizabethtown is your jumping off place. From there you can be in Lake Placid in a little more than half an hour.
What is the weather likely to be?
If the overall warming trend continues all bets are off. But, from years of experience, you'll need to be prepared for two main things in July and August. First, it can get warm - 90's. This is great lake weather, though a very warm night can making sleeping difficult. You'll find plenty of fans, should that be the case. The other type of weather comes from the north and east. It's characterized by beautiful mornings and windy afternoons. The wind off the lake will make you add a layer of clothing or try the back porch. June and September present cooler conditions, especially in the evenings. Make sure to bring sweaters and long pants, especially in late September.
What's the water like?
It's a little hard to characterize the lake water because it varies based on the winter and spring run-off. The water termperature in August is almost always great for swimming (mid even upper 70's). July temperatures can be as warm (they were in 2005) or slightly colder, depending on Spring rains. The lake typically remains warm enough for swimming into September, but will start to cool noticeably by the middle of the month. Early June is a great time to be at the lake, but not necessarily for swimming. The water itself is usually very clear unless the wind is blowing onto the beach.
|
