Enjoy 44 acres just 15 minutes from the beaches of Lake Michigan! With room to sleep 6, guests will enjoy this fully stocked barn apartment with gorgeous views! You'll be near Indiana Dunes National Park, tree-lined hiking/biking trails, wineries, cafes, outlet malls, & antique shops. Roast s'mores in the fire pit, watch chickens free range through the yard or grab a bite to eat downtown Valpo/Chesterton/MC—the perfect getaway for families or friends who want to relax or adventure in nature. To avoid any confusion, potential guests should thoroughly read ALL information below before requesting to book. (We promise that the info below will better prepare you for your trip and answer 99% of your questions!) ;) Thank you! ***Smoking is NOT allowed inside or around the property. If there is any evidence smoking occurred inside or within 50 feet of the property (smoke smell, ashes, paraphernalia, etc) there will be an additional $300 cleaning charge and/or loss of security deposit if one was collected. Enjoy stunning views and disconnect from the hustle and bustle! The Good Farm (TGF) of Valpo allows you the peacefulness of the country without taking you too far from a variety of amazing attractions. Whether you just want to relax or prefer to tour nearby Lake Michigan and quaint towns, you can’t beat the location or amenities of TGF. The barn apartment (fully updated in 2022) sits on the northeast corner of 44 acres. It shares the property with our 1853 farmhouse, which is approximately 100 yards away. Across the street is a large bean field. Beyond the pond to the west is an enormous grassy field surrounded by trees and overgrown trails. (Feel free to hike over and enjoy!) On the east side of the barn, you’ll find neighboring homes. Guests will have full access to the apartment and surrounding 44 acres. CHECK-IN INFO: --Guests who book will receive detailed check-in instructions around 10 AM (CST) on the morning of their scheduled arrival. All of this will be communicated through VRBO messenger. We often will meet you at the farm to show you around as you check-in. --A manual with our favorite local attractions will be provided. --Please note that Valparaiso is on Central Standard Time (CST), the same as Chicago. Check-in is between 4 and 7 p.m.; check-out is at 10 a.m. (unless other arrangements have been made with us). --Our cancellation policy is moderate. That being said, if you do need to cancel your reservation within 5 days of your booking and we are able to re-book your days with another guest, we will gladly refund you for the amount that we’re able to recoup by new guests. (Some platforms charge service fees that we’re not responsible for—which will be their discretion to refund you.) Guests will have full access to the apartment and the surrounding 44 acres. While we do tend to be “hands off” hosts, please note that we will either be residing in the farmhouse (if it’s not rented), or nextdoor during your stay. (Kirby’s parents live there!) We will swing by to let the chickens out of the coop in the morning and put them back at night, as well as to water the garden. You’ll also receive farm fresh eggs for your first breakfast. (We try to include a full dozen for you, but our chickens do go through molting season and don’t always lay a dozen a day, especially in the cooler months.) We run an antique store out of the barn (on the other side of the apartment), but it is currently “shop by appointment” only. We will not come into the barn apartment during your stay unless you’d like us to. Valparaiso is the ideal vacation spot. A variety of activities are available for everyone, regardless of age/ability/interests. Favorite spots include restaurants/cafes: --Radius (Valparaiso) --Blackbird Cafe (Valparaiso) --Meditrina Market (Valparaiso) --Valpo Soup Company (Valparaiso) --Stacks (Valparaiso) --Red Cup Cafe (Chesterton) --Third Coast Spice Cafe (Chesterton) --Shoreline Brewery (Michigan City) --Panini Panini (Michigan City) --The Goblin & The Grocer (Beverly Shores) --Hokkaido Sushi (Michigan City) Grocery Stores nearby include: --Nature's Cupboard (Chesterton) --Jewel (Chesterton) --Meijer (Valparaiso) --Walmart (Portage) Things to do nearby: --Indiana Dunes National Park: The nation's newest national park includes tons of additional beaches along Lake Michigan and fourteen hiking trail systems at the Indiana Dunes. (about a 15-minute drive) --Michigan City Beaches --Michigan City Zoo --Valparaiso splashpad park for kids --Michigan City Outlet Malls --Michigan City park (with weekly live music and jungle gym for kids) --Blue Chip Casino --For rainy days: Bowling at Inman’s (Valparaiso), Jak’s Warehouse (Shererville) and/or Bellaboo’s (Lake Station), and Pottery Creation/Painting at The Good Earth Pot (Chesterton) --Many guests also enjoy visiting wineries and breweries throughout the region, horseback riding, as well as antiquing. Guests are welcome to walk through the woods/fields of our property. (We will show you where to explore when you arrive!) Downtown Valparaiso and Downtown Chesterton are adorable and only a few minutes away by car; both towns host many great spots to eat and shop. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: The pole barn apartment is approximately 850 square feet and sleeps up to 6 people: -Master Bedroom on the main floor: 2 people (Queen bed: Ceiling fan.) -Guest loft with the low ceiling: 2 people (Two twin beds) Note: The ceiling in the loft is low—only approximately 5’4”. Children should be monitored in this area as there is a gap between the ceiling and the hand railing. (See photos.) -Pull-out couch in the living area: 2 people (Full bed.) Extra blankets are available in the storage trunk coffee table (in the living room). BATHROOMS: -There is one large full bathroom with a tub and double vanity. It is equipped with fresh towels, rags, shampoo, conditioner, body wash/soap, and a hair dryer. -There is also a bathroom across from the gym (not attached to the apartment but in the same pole barn), which you're welcome to use. A tankless water heater ensures hot water on demand. KITCHEN: The kitchen includes a large sink, quartz counter tops, a kitchen table and 6 chairs, a fridge and freezer, a gas stove/oven, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, hand mixer, and blender. Dishware, bakeware, stovetop ware, and silverware are provided, as well as salt/pepper and cooking oils. DESKS/WORK AREAS: A small built-in desk is available in the kitchen for work. Simply bring your own computer, WiFi is provided. TECHNOLOGY: --We hope you choose to enjoy the outdoors and use your time here to disconnect and recharge, a large-screen smart TV is provided. Simply log into any one of your own subscription accounts (Netflix/Hulu/etc) for streaming. --Central Heat and AC are controlled by you through a Nest thermostat. --A Smart Home Device is also in the apartment with instructions on how to use it. The device can play music, find local attractions, check the weather, etc. --A washer/dryer is available for your use right outside the unit, near the gym. GYM: Beside your barn apartment is a gym. You’re welcome to use any of the equipment available. (Please note that this is a shared space, you may see us or other renters from the Farmhouse using the gym.) The gym is equipped with an exercise bike, treadmill, elliptical, full-body pulley machine, pec deck machine, bench press, weights, yoga mats, resistance bands, and a small trampoline. A smart TV is available in the gym as well. All items are used at your own risk; kids must be supervised/accompanied by an adult and are not permitted to use gym equipment. We do have monthly cleanings of the gym but ask that you clean any individual equipment after each use with provided spray and rags. The shared spaces (gym, extra bathroom across from gym, and laundry room) are professionally cleaned twice a month. PARKING: The gravel driveway can fit up to one car per guest. (6 cars total.) OUTDOOR AREAS: There is a covered porch behind the apartment for you to enjoy, with pretty views of the wetlands. We have an outdoor iron patio table, a fire pit, and 6 plastic Adirondack chairs. Firewood is provided for those who wish to light a fire (located behind the apartment). On the west side of the property, there is an open grassy hayfield surrounded by overgrown wooded trails, as well as a river (Salt Creek) that cuts through the very back corner of the property. While the river isn’t easy to access (walking down a hill, through thick woods without a direct path is required), guests who are willing to brave the journey to get to the river are welcome to bring their own fishing equipment. (You are also welcome to fish in the pond, although it has been infiltrated by beavers and snapping turtles, so we have never caught anything—other than turtles—in it!) There is also a 100+-year-old restored barn beside the apartment. If you’d like us to set up an antique table/chairs and/or decor for a dinner, we’d be happy to do so for an extra charge. (This requires us to do a massive cleaning beforehand, as we have free-range chickens/barn swallows/occasional bats—hence the extra charge if you would like to use it.) SAFETY NOTES: 1. The apartment is NOT baby-proofed. (We do not have outlet blockers, no furniture is strapped to walls, stairs do not have gates, there are no safety locks on cabinets, etc.) As mentioned above, the loft area has a low ceiling, as well as a gap between the railing and the ceiling (see photos). Children must be accompanied by adults at all times so that they don’t climb the railing; guests are responsible for the safety of their children. 2. The stairs to the lofted area are steep and taller guests will need to be mindful of their heads in the lofted area, so as to not hit their heads on the ceiling. Those who are not able-bodied would not be able to easily navigate the loft. 3. We always remind guests to check themselves for ticks after spending time outdoors. Our property is sprayed monthly (inside and out) for bugs, but given the surroundings, you’re bound to see a spider or two while here. This is not a matter of not being clean—it’s simply a matter of farm life. :) 4. Our chickens have always been friendly with us, but as with any animal, interacting with them is done so at your own risk. We occasionally do have a rooster, and they are known to occasionally be territorial/aggressive with little ones. (You are welcome to kick him if he’s aggressive toward you.) Otherwise, please be friendly and gentle. We are happy to introduce you to the flock and help you handle them should you like to hold them. PRIVACY: Please note that we also occasionally rent out the farmhouse. The farmhouse sleeps an additional 10 people, but the only shared spaces between the two rentals are the outdoors and the gym. The apartment includes its own amenities—including a separate fire pit/seating area for you—so you should not be bothered by others who may hang out near the farmhouse with their own fire pit/seating area. The apartment windows face the back of the property (no windows in the house/apartment face each other) and is about 100 yards away from the farmhouse, allowing privacy. We say this as you may other guests on the property (outside or in the gym) if it’s booked at the same time as your stay, and if it’s not booked, you will still likely see our family at some point. If you have more than 6 people looking to stay or wish to have the outdoors only to yourself, we suggest renting both spaces at the same time. ADDITIONAL INFO: While we do rent other homes that are designated for guest use only, this farm is our personal home. We are only interested in renting it to the most respectful guests. Because of this, we do not have wiggle room on pricing, minimum stay requirements, or on the items below. While we welcome guests of all backgrounds, we will only be accepting booking requests from: --Users who are "verified" and who already have multiple positive reviews from other hosts. --Renters that are above the age of 25. --Renters who are not bringing pets. --A maximum of 6 guests per reservation. Extra guests are not allowed. —We value our relationship with our neighbors, events/gatherings/parties are not to be held by guests. In order to keep the house in excellent condition for ourselves and for future guests, we are firm on these rules. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. --Due to our free-ranging animals (chickens, peacocks, cats) on the farm, as well as for the health of our own family, we do not accept animals of any kind in this property. The HVAC system in the BarnBnB is also shared with the gym, antique shop, as well as a recording studio office. If you require a service animal to travel, please check out our "Historic Charmer" stand-alone listing, where we will gladly host your animal without potentially disrupting the experience of our animals, other guests, or our kids with allergies. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to hosting you in a more comfortable setting! :)