Rental FAQ for Rental Property, Mark & Jodi Raisanen's
Cottage at the Tobacco River directly on Lake Superior
I like the property and would like to rent it. What do I do next?
E-mail or call us to confirm you like the property and intend to rent it. We will then hold your selected dates and will forward you a contract that summarizes when the deposit should be received and it will also confirm the date of rental and other details.
How Many people will it sleep?
There are a total of five beds (one queen, one single bunk, & one double-single bunk) plus one double sofa bed. Thus, there are 7 total bed spots + two for the sofa bed.
Is there a T.V.?
Yes. Plus, Dish Satellite and DVD player
Is there a telephone?
Yes. Local calls and toll-free calls only (calling card). Also, AT&T/Cingular, T-Mobile, Cellular 1 work pretty well in the area, but Verizon only works in Houghton.
Are there neighbors?
Yes. There is one home directly to our south (a few hundred feet), but blocked from view by a grove of trees. To the north is a private campground with guests primarily on the weekend (summers) or none at all.
Is it good for rock picking?
The Keweenaw is excellent for rock picking, but our beach mostly just has flat sand stone rocks excellent for skipping stones. We find occasional Lake Superior Agates, but they are not as common as the west shoreline a short drive away. This shoreline is typically great for beach glass, including antique pottery, etc.
Any other outdoor things to consider?
We have several. We have a two tier deck which is fantastic for lounging or visiting. We also have a nice childrens playground set if you have children. On the ground level near the lake we also have a picnic table and bench.
What else is nearby the property to enjoy on the lake?
The mouth of the Tobacco River is only a few hundred feet away. The river is fantastic for trout fishing in the spring and can still yield trout throughout the summer, but they take more work to find.
Is it a busy shoreline?
No. This is a very quiet shoreline. Virtually no boat traffic (occasional kayakers, row boaters and some fishing boat traffic, but mostly very quiet).
Is there good fishing here?
Yes, Hermit's Cove (about 1 mile out) is considered an excellent fishing destination. If you watch the horizon you will likely see fishing boats searching for Lake Trout (the fish of choice here). Coho Salmon and other sport fish are also common here.
How about restaurants?
Houghton (25 miles) is home to many great restaurants, but others nearby are also very good. The closest is The Loading Zone and The Backstreet Cafe in nearby Lake Linden (15 miles) and Slims Café in Mohawk. The Landing in Lac LaBelle (19 miles) is also decent. In the summer, Copper Harbor is home to several excellent restaurants.
What kind of tourist attractions are nearby?
Mostly nature related. Water falls, endless beaches, Mt. Bohemia, Brockway Mt. Drive, Copper Harbor, Eagle Harbor, Eagle River, etc. The Keweenaw is also very historic. Calumet is within a National Historic Park and was once the epicenter of Copper Mining in the world. Calumet almost became the capital of Michigan (over Lansing). The museums in Calumet (Coppertown) and Hancock (Quincy Mine) are excellent rainy day activities (sunny day too for that matter). Other nature activities such as hiking, biking, skiing etc. are all right out the door or a short drive. The Keweenaw has many preserved areas for nature lovers.
How close is the nearest hospital?
Keweenaw memorial is approximately 20 miles away in Calumet and Portage Hospital in Hancock (25 miles) are the closest.
Are there any Health Clubs nearby?
Yes. Keweenaw Memorial runs a good health club right on Main Street in Laurium. Michigan Tech University also allows the public to use their facilities located in the SDC (Student Development Center).
Is the water good for swimming?
It depends. Lake Superior can be very cold, yet in the summer it can be very nice if the waves are blowing in (all the surface water can be mild). Generally it's cold.
What things can you do in bad weather?
As mentioned earlier, the mine tours are excellent, but also shopping in Copper Harbor or downtown Calumet is a fun activity. In the cottage itself, we have board and table games, jigsaw puzzles, etc. Or, some just like to sit by the window and watch the waves crash on the shore.
What if we bring our own linens?
That's great. Feel free to bring your own linens. Sorry, no discounts.
Can we bring pets?
Yes. We consider our place pet friendly, but no pets allowed beyond the garage and utility area. If pet hair is found on the furniture, the cleaning costs will be deducted from your deposit.
Is there a best time for waves?
The summer is usually the best for south winds crashing on the beach, but any time of the year can have some great wave watching. Most weeks will have some wave activity, but not always.
When is the best stargazing?
Anytime during a New Moon. The Keweenaw is well known as one of the best star gazing points in the United States. The peninsula sticks so far into Lake Superior and is so far from all major metro areas, there is basically no light pollution. Its beautiful! Weve had several star gazing fans stay at our cabin and they love it.
Is there air conditioning?
No. Other than nature's own air conditioner, Lake Superior. On the outside chance it's hot and no wind, we have a couple extra fans to supplement.
