The Big Twig is a larger version of the Twig, which has been listed on Airbnb for several years. It is a two-story former studio with an open living area on the first floor, including the living room, dining area and kitchen. There is also a small bedroom off the living room and a bathroom behind the kitchen. The second floor is devoted to a spacious bedroom. Please note: Dogs are welcome for an additional $15 cleaning fee. The cottage is simple but comfortable. All-cotton linens and towels are line-dried when possible, and sheets are freshly pressed. I use a variety of vintage pillowcases in addition to the standard sets, and many of the dish towels have hand embroidered designs. There is a room furnace to heat the place in cold weather, which a team of experts will have to start should it be needed. Guests are able to walk or drive across private family property to the beach on Lake Bellaire, also private and family owned. There is a family owned and shared beach area that family members and guests share, with a perfect place for kids to swim and play. (It is for the owners’ family living on the farm as well as guests in both cottages.) There are places on Lake Bellaire, Clam River and Torch Lake to launch boats which may be moored in the water on our beach with the guest's own anchor..* The private beach is always available to my family but the properties on both sides of the beach is not available to guests; family members live in the homes nearby and they like their privacy. * Boats may be rented from either nearby Butch’s Marina or DeWitt’s Marina. I am an artist and do many away shows on weekends during the summer but I always try to greet my guests or have someone here to do it for me. Otherwise, I'm usually around the studio if there isn't a show. House rules are listed in the Big Twig, and they are based on the idea that guests will be respectful of the cottage and its contents: using coasters on wood tables, not allowing dogs on the beds unless the special cover provided is used, leaving the cottage, property and beach as clean as they found it, etc. I'm always available by text or phone to answer any questions, and probably have almost anything a guest might want should they forget something. I want everyone to feel comfortable and safe! The Twigs are located in an ideal location near Lake Bellaire with Torch Lake nearby. The 300-acre property is on Lake Bellaire but the cottage itself is a 5-10-minute walk away. The closest restaurant is Dockside, where Clam River meets Torch Lake, and people can watch the boats coming and going while they eat. There are also a couple marinas there where boats can be rented. In Bellaire itself, there is Short's Brewery, Terrain, the Corner Bistro, and a variety of other places to eat. Shanty Creek Lodge is across the lake from our property, and golf is available at several places near town. One of the best biking trails around, Glacial Hills, is just a few miles away, and bikes can be rented in Bellaire. Charlevoix, Traverse City and Petoskey are, depending on traffic, an hour or so from the Twig. Parking is right outside the cottage. Absolutely no smoking indoors! Well-behaved dogs only; please, no destructive dogs. Those that suffer separation anxiety and chew or destroy should stay somewhere else. There is an additional $15 cleaning fee added for pets. There are plenty of books available and, should a guest want to, s(he) can take one home. What's a cottage without books? We are also located in the flight path of loons crossing between the north end of Lake Bellaire and Clam River, and they fly back and forth several times a day. What a delight!