Piper House Welcome Book

773-398-5588 (click to ca11)

773-398-5588 (click to text msg)

rentpiperhouse@gmaiI.com

4980 E Indiana Beach Rd. Monticello IN 47960

We are thrilled to welcome you to Piper House, and thank you for choosing our home for your stay. If you are anything like us, you are all about the details. Therefore, we've designed this interactive Trip Planning & Packing Guide to help you plan, prepare and pack for your upcoming stay. It should answer all your questions and more, but feel free to let us know if there is anything else we can do to help make your stay extraordinary.

All good things,

ALL ABOUT PIPER HOUSE PACKING GUIDE LAKE

CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT

RULES & POLICIES

GETTING HERE

BEDROOM LAYOUTS

WHAT TO BRING

WHAT NOT TO BRING

SUPPLY LISTS

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS

BOATING

KAYAKING

SWIMMING

FISHING

PLAY GROUND

BONFIRES

HOT TUB

GAMES

MUSTREADTOAVOIDLOSINGDEPOSIT....

The hot tub will be ready to use with sanitized & balanced water. We monitor it with a floating water gualitY-monitor, which alarms our Qhones if there is an issue. If you choose to use the hot tub, you choose to maintain it also. Follow these instructions and you will have no problems:

• Sanitizers are provided and you MUST ADD AFTER EVERY USE (or once per day).

• COVER MUST BE CLOSED as the last person is exiting the tub. It should never be left open and no one should ever stand on it.

• FLIP FLOPS need to be worn to and from the hot tub. No one should be getting into the hot tub with debris on their bare feet. We provide robes, but bring flip flops to wear to/from hot tub to keep debris out of hot tub.

• Children may use the tub ONLY when an adult is present in the tub. It is not a swimming pool, but an adult amenity that they may join with adults only at your discretion. It is critical that CHILDREN MAY NOT PUSH BUTTONS ON THE PANEL, this can break the entire system.

• If you swim in the lake YOU MUST BRING A 2ND BATHING SUIT to wear in the hot tub. The bathing suits worn in the lake can never go into the hot tub.

• NEVER ADD WATER to the hot tub. If the water level seems low (it will only get low by too many people entering hot tub at one time and displacing the water), message me so we can add properly balanced water & chemicals to the hot tub to keep water in balance.

We want you to enjoy the hot tub, but we also need to keep it safe and maintained for your use and for the guests coming after you.

MOBILITY

Although the house isn't ADA compliant, we found that it works well for many of our guests with mobility challenges. To enter the house, there is one concrete stair that is approx 6 in, and one step up to the front door (see red arrows below). The doorways are a little wider than standard. The entire house is on one floor. There is one step down into the screened porches, where you still get to enjoy the great views. There is a shower in the mainhouse that is a stand alone (not a bathtub). It isn't something you could roll a wheel chair in to, but there is no tub to step over, and it has ahandheld sprayer.

BABY SAFETY

We finished the house when Stella was 6 months old, and we understand how important safety is for our littlest guests. There are some outlet plugs in the "junk drawer" in the kitchen, but you will want to bring extras, the house isn't currently baby proofed.

There is a washing machine in the bedroom with the 2 trundle twin beds. It has a child lock feature on it that you will want to set if you have kids in the house. Just press and hold the "Pre Wash" button for 3 seconds, and it will disable the control panel. Press and hold for second time to release the child lock to use the washing machine.

I CAL KING BED

This bedroom faces the lake and connects to a bathroom. Sleeps 2

2 2 TWIN BEDS

The twin beds are in a TRUNDLE configuration- see arrow. One twin pulls out from underneath another twin. Sleeps 2 c=)

c=)

I KING BED

Bedroom with l king bed. Next to a bathroom, and across the hallway from the bunk bed room. Sleeps 2

BOATING

LAKE SHAFER

Lake Shafer is a man-made lake that was created as a result of the construction of a dam in the 7920's. This created a long narrow lake covering almost 7300 acres, making it an excellent lake for boating and water sports. There is no constantly "circling around a little pond" here!

You just get in and hit it for miles before turning around.

RENT A BOAT/ JETSKIS

There is nothing quite like enjoying the lake from the water. Rent pontoon boats, ski boats and jet ski's from Lake Shafer Boat Rentals. It is walkable from the house, just across the bridge. We suggest making your reservation in advance and tell them you are staying at Piper House (our dock has passed their inspections and they will approve your rental.)

https://lakeshaferboatrentals.com/ 574-583-5238

BRING A BOAT

You can also bring a boat and launch it from Lake Shafer Boat Rentals or Tall Timbers Marina. There is no free public boat launch on Lake Shafer, but each of these marinas are close to the house and offer launching for a small fee. Your boat trailer will fit fine in our driveway, just don't park on the grass. Our waterfront dock is also in a no wake zone. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES (deP-th finders) IN THE BOAT OVER NIGHT!

Lake Shafer was created via a dam in the Tippecanoe River in the 7920's. This created very favorable conditions for fishing as there are many fallen trees and other fresh water habitats that are desirable for fish. Bass, catfish, northern pike and blue gill have all been caught right off of our dock. In the early morning you might even see some anglers on their boats off of our shore line, as it is a prime fishing spot. You can buy a fishing license at Walmart or online here: httQs://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/9339.htm

RUNNING & WALKING

If you feel like getting some movement, we'd suggest going through the Indiana Beach Campgroundjust on the other side of West Shafer Drive. It is shaded and quiet without many cars going through.

Walk on the sidewalk toward the games/shops to avoid the security guard.

There is also a bike path next to West Shafer Drive that goes toward town for about 2 miles, but it has no shade and is a dead end, but it is straight and safer anyway.

Or take our favorite path shown here. Run out to West Shafer Dr and across the bridge toward Lake Shafer Boat Rentals. Then do the loop around Untaluti Ct. (nice and shaded) and back.

OUTSIDE FUN...

You can have a magical vacation without ever leaving the house! Here are a few of our outside amenities to enjoy.

PLAYGROUND

Little guests will enjoy hours of fun on our playground. Conveniently located just outside the screened porches for easy supervision. Swings for all ages of kids are located in the shed.

FIRE PIT: top of hill

What would a summer lake house vacation be without a camp fire? This fire pit is at the top of the hill making it easily accessible for all ages. We have firewood on site, as well as marshmallow roasting sticks.

FIRE PIT: lake side

We have a second fire pit at the bottom of the hill, right on the lake. It has beautiful views of Indiana Beach & the ferris wheel lit up at night.

HOT TUB

Our hot tub is open year round and is one of our favorite places to take in the views. Morning mimosas (in plastic cups of course) & coffee is one of our favorite traditions. PLEASE READ HOT TUB RULES before use!

If you are coming from the north (Chicago area), we have a few worthy stops to explore on your journey to or from Piper House.

ALBANESE CANDY FACTORY

What's a vacation without some sugar? Your kids will never forget a stop at this huge factory outlet candy store in Merrillville. It's a half way point from the Chicago area to the lake, and a good chance to make a pit stop.

FAIR OAKS FARMS

A taste of modern dairy farming that reflects what Indiana living is all about. If you have some time, the educationaI tour is fabulous. If not, at least stop at the store for fresh cheese & ice cream!

' 5447 E. Lincoln Highway Merrillville, IN 46470.

No one wants a rain day on their vacation, but it happens. No worries, there are still fun things to do at Piper House when it rains. Here are a few ideas.

BOARD GAME TOURNAMENT

Depending on how hard it is raining, the screened in porches can often still be used in the rain for some fun and memorable family games. If it's really bad, the dining table or living room are always great options too. We have some board games at the house, but be sure to bring your favorite.

WHISTLE STOP RESTAURANT & MUSEUM

(18 MIN DRIVE)

If you've got a little (or big!) person that LOVES trains, then this is a great option on a rainy day. It's the country's largest private collection of train items open to the public, with a restaurant.

Ph-(219) 253-4100

10012 US-421, Monon, IN 47959

BOWLING (4 MIN DRIVE)

Bowling is always a fun option on a rainy day. Best's Bowling Center is less than 5 minutes from the house.

Ph-(574) 583-7358 208 Rickey Rd, Monticello, IN 47960

DAY TRIPS & ROAD TRIP PIT STOPS...

Read through my recommendations for Day Trips and Road Trip Pit Stops if you feel like taking a drive on a rainy day! Fair Oaks Dairy might be a great option for the kids.