We had so much fun last year, that we returned again, but this time our room was right on the lake…read more How lucky we were because one can sit on the outdoor furniture provided, and basque in nature's glory, morning and night. The room was clean, cozy and inviting; decorated like a mountain cabin with doo dads and knick knacks in various hunting and winter themes. The kitchen is small but functional, and the refrigerator is large enough for a week's worth of food. I brought my own cooking utensils and enough food to feed my clan. I can write a book on left over creations, which became a new theme each night. Waking up to the site of the lake each morning, with ducks and geese swimming over glistening ripples of water right before my eyes, was breathtaking. The staff literally runs over for anything you need. They have made improvements in the last year, such as; a fully functional staff at the registration office on route 6, accompanied by refreshments and granola bars, after a long drive. (Not a wide eyed teen who's intimidated by questions.) They provide a map with accurate and detailed directions to your condo and unit. Multiple keys are given for your convenience without asking, AND they provide 24 hour staff support to their guests.
I did find one flaw, and it's a safety issue for young children. The pilot light remains on in the fire place, and it's large enough to appear as though the fire place is on when nightfall arrives. Couldn't find the switch to turn it off, so I called the staff late into the night, and two qualified engineers from the property management arrived. They turned the pilot light off, per my request, which involved reaching into the fire place itself to turn a dial. The fire place switch itself was located on a bottom plate of the unit, without any signs. Something you might whack with you foot standing too close to the tv. There is a plaque over the fireplace, stating that intense heat will appear overhead, and to be careful. The problem is that when you open the sofa bed, the coffee table and whatever is on it, is smack dab near the fire place and pilot light. No glass cover protects the user from the flames. Only a hanging metal grate stands alone. Plus there must be some carbon monoxide inhalation from sleeping near an open pilot light. No carbon monoxide detector in the room either.
I did have a good laugh when I opened the door late the first night, to the two engineers, as they were handing me back a bible from a publisher not in my musical genre, that we left outside on a brick wall. I refused and was asked if we were practicing a reverse exorcism. I laughed, and answered that if I left that book in my room, I would need a exorcism. If I had known their concern, an improvisational high pitch scream would have left my throat , right before I opened the door. But then I would not have had the pilot light extinguished, or the door would have been hanging by it's hinges from being shouldered in by two strong and brave men.
I salute them for being understanding and keeping my family safe from noxious fumes.
Obtaining clean towels every day was an easy task with one phone call to the desk, and they provide as many as you need.
However, the sofa bed has seen better days, and the masterbedroom's king size bed looks inviting, but giving it a try, my head was lower than my feet. I laughed and pictured my evil counterpart, "Frankenstina," returning after moving heavy furniture, or after sleeping on a worn mattress, the following morning; contorting my spinal structure, and putting me in a foul mood.
With a promise of the view coming from the sparkling lake the next sunrise, I took to the floor with my pillow and blanket. Yes I truly am a good camper and can sleep on the ground. But of course it's not really camping with indoor plumbing at my convenience. How very spoiled of me to expect this luxury.
Update: be careful of altitude sickness. Anything from a mild headheache that turns to head pounding with dizziness, to flu like muscle aches and nausea. Or insomnia or leg cramps. After my medical emergency in Breckenridge last year, I was fully evaluated and had trained for this trip. I saluted porch sitters as they applauded my hour -long brisk walk around the lake several times. Suddenly I became ill at river run and made it back to the hotel. It's no joke, and please take it seriously. Drink water, rest, and scale back your activities, if you start melting. Nobody wants to be helecoptered to Frisco for emergency heart resuscitation.
