Coyote Cove Cabin Logistics

Opening cabin:

  • Opening Gate: Use the combination given to unlock the gate.
  • Opening Door: To enter the cabin, retrieve the keys in a safe lock box (using combination given) which is attached to the inside of a post of the deck railing opposite the entry door under shelter of the tin roof (next to grill). The key opens both deadbolt and handle locks on the entry door – might take a bit of experimentation to get both locks open (so don’t panic if it doesn’t open at first try – keep working at it).
  • Turn on Electricity:Open electrical switch box on the right just as you enter cabin. Turn all the switches to “on” EXCEPT for (1) switch labeled for attic fan (above entry door) – only turn that one on when hot, and (2) hot water (wait until after turning water on before turning that one on, so you don’t burn out heating element).
  • Turn on Water:
  • Summertime: Go to the utility room (with washer and dryer) in the back of the cabin. The main water pipe enters the house vertically from the floor in the far corner of the utility room beside the hot water tank. Turn the lever so the handle is parallel to the pipe (from perpendicular position). If the lever already was parallel then see Wintertime below.
  • Wintertime: Start by putting the water filters (in drying rack beside sink) into the water filter system underneath the sink. Twist filter 1 and filter 2 snug into their respective locations. Go around the outside of the house to the rear side of the house (facing upstream, back yard). Look for a large metal municipal water cap flush to the ground, near outdoor shower. Lift up the lid and place it beside the opening. Lift out the insulation. You will see a lever at the bottom. If it is perpendicular to the pipeit is in the “off” position. Move lever so handle is parallel to the pipe (“On” position). Replace insulation and lid. Once you go inside (after turning off faucets which are gushing water) go to the utility room in the rear of cabin (washer and dryer). Look for the red plastic lever on top of the hot water tank in back corner of utility room. If the lever is perpendicular to the direction of the pipe (off), turn it to parallel position (it’s sticky).

Closing cabin in summer (talk to Bronson for extra steps if winter):

It’s just the reverse of opening up. Here’s the check-list:

  • Clean up house (remove all trash, compost, coffee from coffee maker, vacuum floors, etc.).
  • Close and lock all windows and doors (except entry door until last step).
  • Clean out refrigerator and leave doors open.
  • Turn off water in utility room behind water tank.
  • Turn off electricity (just turn off main switch at top)
  • Lock entry door and return key to lock box (re-shuffle combo).
  • Close gate and lock chain (re-shuffle combo).

Cabin/Land Use Notes:

  • Getting a fire going in the wood stove: If it’s cold, it will take a few hours for the house to warm up. Hopefully someone was an Eagle Scout and can build a fire in the wood stove. Hopefully there is paper, kindling, and wood in the wood crate near stove (if not, get from stack outside). If there’s not a lighter in the crate, check drawer in kitchen below microwave for matches. The only adjustment to air flow is via vent on front door (open up all the way at first).
  • Hint: crack open the front door of stove a bit just after lighting the fire to get it to a strong burn, then close door and adjust airflow with vent.
  • Note: the “magic heat” box above the wood stove should be plugged in to wall outlet. It automatically turns on when it gets hot. At night I sometimes flip the switch in the back so it is always on at night – because otherwise it switches on and off during the night and wakes me up.
  • Dead mice? It’s just one of those cabin things. If you are lucky there will only be a few mouse turds to clean up.
  • Drinking Water: There is a filtered water mini-faucet on right side of sink. I suggest you run the water for ~30 second to flush out the system on your first use. Water comes from a spring up the hill (gravity fed). We’ve never had a problem with drinking the filtered water (or unfiltered for that matter) – but it’s “at your own risk” - we’ve never had it properly tested (giardia?) – which is why we got the filter. But, I can’t guarantee that even the filter will catch everything (having said that, I would guess it’s better water then you get in the city!)
  • Phone reception: Sorry, there’s no cell phone reception in the cabin. The best place for cell phone reception is at platform up on the ridge (a 20 minute hike, see map on “land” page of Follow trail with white paint marks on trees to platform (although marks are disappearing) – or just wander uphill and you will eventually find it.
  • Tub: If you fill the tub with hot water, you might notice “dirty” water. This is from clay accumulation at bottom of the hot water tank. It’s harmless, but maybe a bit surprising. Think of it as a high-end spa treatment.
  • Toilet: You might need to hold the lever down to flush properly (or flush twice, after the tank re-fills).
  • TV and DVD: Located in loft. You must use the remote to turn on TV. See instructions on/near TV set to push the right button sequence to get it working.
  • Stereo – Ipod - Sirius radio: There’s a cable attached to back of stereo system which plugs into the headphone jack of your IPod, so you can listen to your tunes. If you happen to have a Sirius radio system, that also work, should be an antenna plug-in available and you will need to connect to cable to back of stereo.
  • Coffee: There’s an old fashioned hand coffee grinder (hopefully next to coffee maker), so you might need to work for your coffee in the morning.
  • Compost: We dump compost into a loose pile near the far ends of the canoe/kayak (don’t worry if you can’t find the pile, it disappears quickly, just dump compost somewhere back there).
  • Trash: You will need to haul out ALL of your trash. Please DO NOT leave any trash, especially with food smell (attracts bears). There are thick plastic trash bags in utility room you can use to contain your trash for drive home.
  • Canoe and Kayak: Help yourself to canoe and kayak (at your own risk!). Some life preservers and flotation pads are underneath the house at corner nearest canoe/kayak. You will need a car roof rack and cordage to tie canoe/kayak to roof of car. Talk to us about our favorite place to go on the Cheat River.
  • Hiking trail system: There are “sort of” marked trails along stream and up to ridge and fields. Check for trail map. Be careful when crossing bridge over stream it can be slippery when wet! Also, note that the log “bridge” connecting bluff trail with brook trail has washed away.
  • First Aid Kit. Located beneath the sink in the bathroom. Hopefully you won’t need it!

What to Bring?

  • Flashlight. There are a few flashlights in the cabin (check in drawer of entry-way side table). But if you arrive at night, you will want a flashlight to open the lock box and entry door. In a pinch you can use cell phone light.
  • Long pants. Recommended for all seasons. During summer you may encounter stinging nettle on trails, at which point folks in shorts wish they had long pants. Also keep an eye out for poison ivy near the stream. There no nettle or poison ivy when you get up towards ridge.
  • Sweater. Even in the summertime it cools down at night (thank goodness!)
  • Hiking Shoes. I recommend hiking shoes given some muddy sections of trails and stinging nettle in some places.
  • Bug spray. Actually, biting bugs are pretty minimal. But we do get a few “no-see-ums” andskeeters. You will want to keep doors and the windows without screens closed at night – since there are lots of non-biting bugs that are attracted to the light.