Notes from the host
Private Cabin on the Lake On a lake
If you are looking for a private spot to hold your next family reunion, wedding, or just want to get together with a group of friends to have some fun, then you will really enjoy this property! We call this heaven the Shire in the Woods. It is located about 17 miles east of northern Mille Lacs Lake in the middle of the 68,000 acre Solana State Forest, and the Soo Line South Trail goes right through our property. We have 120 acres of private land with many miles of groomed trails for walking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing. There are many more miles of trails in the State Forest that can be accessed from our trails and other points for more of these activities as well as snowmobiling and ATVing. Of course the Soo Line Trail goes for hundreds of miles in either direction, so you could travel to southern Mille Lacs Lake or even Duluth from our place! Our spot is perfect for snowmobile or ATV clubs, and many more activities.
We have about four acres of groomed lawns to set up whatever event you would like. We also have many outdoor fire pits as well as a large one for one of those memorable all night bonfires. We have had several weddings on the property, and we have 3 20'x40' commercial party tents, 130 folding chairs, table cloths, and 30 banquet tables (contact the owner for pricing). It is perfect setting for any outdoor spring, summer, or fall event. We also have tree swings, hammocks, and horses to keep everyone entertained during those in between, special moments. We also can cater any event from our commercial kitchen, but every place is well equipped to create and serve whatever meal you can dream up. In addition to all of this, we have a large indoor meeting space in the Octagon which also is equipped with a 120" screen with a 3D LCD projector and home theatre system (Wi-Fi everywhere too). A great way to end every friends gathering, family reunion, or wedding is with a movie night or presentation!
Each place has a CD/cassette player, outdoor fire pit, table fans as well as ceiling fans, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, additional oil filled space heater, off peak electric storage heater, base board heaters, kitchen utensils, bedding, screened in porches, some basic pantry items, a outdoor grill, and more.
The Cedar House is built into a hill with the east and north sides facing into the forest and the other sides facing into an open southerly view. The main floor is vaulted and has a large, open kitchen with full size gas stove with oven, full refrigerator/freezer, coffee pot, crock pot, toaster oven, coffee grinder, and all the necessary utensils, pots and pans, and dinnerware to serve 15 or more. There is a large wooden dining table in the dining area off of the kitchen which seats 8. A small table in the kitchen seats 2 to 4. Banquet tables can be set up also if need be. The north facing deck is accessible through the kitchen which allows convenient access to the grill. There are views out into the woods and Shire lawns. The vaulted living room has a queen size futon couch located in front of the full, built-in fireplace so you can relax or sleep in perfect comfort. A rocking chair and a coffee table are also located in the living room. A south facing deck is accessible through a door behind the futon. Also off of the living room, a stairs leads up to the lofted sleeping area. This large space has six single beds and another rocking chair. It overlooks the living room and kitchen. The space is partially lit by a skyway window. The east window faces out into the forest for a beautiful, elevated view. As you venture further back into the house, you will encounter a full bathroom with a shower and a Jacuzzi tub and then 3 bedrooms. The first bedroom has a full size bed, and it has access to the wraparound east/north deck through a sliding glass door. This part of the deck faces out into the forest. The center bedroom also has a full size bed. The last bedroom has two single beds and a lofted bed. It also has a sliding glass door which leads out onto the wrap around east/north deck. This portion of the deck is screened in. The lower level has a laundry room, a bathroom with a shower, a single car tuck-under garage, and two car tuck-under garage. There is table tennis and a dart board available in the smaller garage.
The Octagon is one of our most unique structures. The grand space can be fully experienced once you enter the large vaulted main room. There are four couches, plenty of pillows, other chairs, and several tables placed throughout. Original artwork is spread throughout the main room. The vast majority of the books, cassettes, and CDs of various genres are found within this main space as well as a xylophone and some drums. There is a large, built in wood fireplace located on the east wall. The main room is ideal for large gatherings such as for yoga, spiritual drumming, classes, workshops, demonstrations, receptions, dining, entertainment, and more. There is also a 120” projection screen located in this room for presentations, workshops, or the occasional movie night. An Epson Home Cinema 3500 3LCD projector and Blu-ray home theatre sound system is available for guest use. There are VGA, HDMI, and converter cables available to interface your laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone. The exterior of the Octagon is surrounded by a wraparound deck with south and north-facing seating areas which can be accessed from large, sliding, glass doors from the main room or from a side door off of the kitchen. The kitchen has a two-burner cooktop, a full-size refrigerator/freezer, toaster oven, crock pot, coffee makers, microwave, and all of the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware to serve a larger group. The kitchen has a countertop oven with convection with the capacity to hold two 16" pizzas or a whole chicken. Also on the lower level are a handicap accessible bathroom and shower and one bedroom with a single bed. In this bedroom are more books, games, and puzzles. There are 3 bedrooms on the upper level. The central bedroom has two single beds. The east and west bedrooms each has a single bed. Also on the upper level is a bathroom with a claw foot tub and skylight. The sitting area outside of the rooms includes a rocking chair and looks down over the main vaulted room. It is bathed in warm, bright, sunlight from the unique south-facing windows.
The Tree Lodge is nestled away in the forest and has lots of space in its dual level design. On the lower level, there is a large living/dining room with two rocking chairs next to a wood burning fireplace. Next to a large picture window which looks out into the forest is a full sized bed. On the east side of the Lodge, you enter through a side door into a full length screened in porch which faces out into the forest. There are extra folding camping chairs located in this area which can be used on the porch or around the outdoor fire place. The kitchen has a two-burner cooktop, two small refrigerators (one with a freezer), a microwave, crock pot, coffee maker, a large toaster oven, and all the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware. Also on the lower level is a ¾ bathroom with a shower. There is also a king size day bed in the Great Room.
The upper level has a smaller living room with a single bed isolated with a privacy screen on the south side. There is a sink with a large vanity mirror on the east side. Two additional bedrooms each have two single beds which can be pushed together if desired. Each bedroom has a spectacular view out into the forest. A ¾ bathroom with a shower is located on this level too.
The Woodlands cabin is tucked away in the woods. It is the most isolated, private dwelling. We consider it our honeymoon suite with its comfortable and cozy queen-size bed.
It has a screened-in porch off of the front entryway. The one level, one-room design features a dining space with large, corner viewing windows that face out into the forest. There is a ¾ bathroom with a shower directly off of the bedroom area. A freestanding fireplace is located in one corner in front of the couch. The kitchen has a small refrigerator with a freezer, a two-burner cooktop, a microwave, a coffee pot, crock pot, a large toaster oven, and all the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware.
The Birches is our largest of the “small” cabins. It has a spacious two level design. The entryway has a wraparound screened in porch with just enough room for some chairs and a table for summertime outdoor relaxation. You enter into the kitchen which has a small refrigerator with a freezer, a microwave, a two burner cook top, a large toaster oven, coffee pot, crock pot, tea kettle, and all the necessary kitchen utensils and dinnerware. There is a small dining space in the kitchen as well as one by the large viewing windows facing the bird feeder and birch woods. Facing the fireplace is the king size day bed. There is also a 3/4 bath on the main level. The spiral staircase leads to two beds upstairs with a rocking chair nestled in the corner by one of the beds which creates a perfect spot for some nighttime reading. Surrounded by unique windows, the room fills with sunshine on sunny days.
You enter the Loft through a wraparound screened-in porch and then into the kitchen. Off to the left are two rocking chairs with foot stools in front of the free standing wood burning fireplace. Ahead sits the dining table in front of the large, south-facing, viewing windows. Also on the first floor is a ½ bath*. You ascend up the spiral staircase to the loft where two single beds reside. The Kitchen has a small refrigerator with a freezer, a two-burner cook top, microwave, coffee pot, crock pot, and a toaster oven.
The Meadows has a single level, one-room design which is very open and expansive in its design. It overlooks the meadows of the Shire main grounds. It is a very cozy and warm atmosphere especially in the colder months. There is a king size day bed in this cabin.
Hosted byMichael Bonnette
