Frequently Asked Questions about the Upper Access Cottages

Because most people reserve the cottages without an opportunity to see them first, we have compiled answers to the most common questions. Needless to say, if you have questions or concerns not covered here, please call or e-mail

Q. Are any of the cottages in a private, isolated area?

A. No. The locations in both Fletcher and Hinesburg are pleasantly rural areas, but have other cottages and residences nearby. Owned lake frontage is fairly short on both lakes. There is plenty of room for your use of the lakes but you may well see other swimmers or boaters while you are enjoying the water.

Q. Do the cottages have clean running water and full bathrooms?

A. The running water for the Hinesburg cottage and Fletcher cottages 1 and 3 comes from deep wells, not the lakes. Fletcher cottage #2 has tap water that comes from the lake, but pure bottled drinking water is provided. As for bathrooms, the Hinesburg and Fletcher #2 cottages each have one bathroom, with shower but no tub. Fletcher # 1 has a large full bathroom that includes a tub/shower plus a half bath (just sink and toilet). Fletcher #3 has a main bathroom with shower and a half-bath with just sink and toilet.

Q. What are the swimming areas like?

A. In Hinesburg, the lake bottom is gravel and stone; a little less comfortable on the feet than sand, but much nicer than mud. Where you enter the water, it's about chest-high for a three-year-old (varying a little depending on the time of year), and deepens gradually, so it's safe for children under adult supervision. You can also jump off the dock, although it does not extend out to deep enough water for diving.

In Fletcher, our private lake frontage (shared by cottages # 1 and 3) is next to a small public swimming access. The bottom is clay with sand and stones. It gets a little mushy in places, but most people find it comfortable. The water stays shallow far from shore, so it's a safe place for young children to swim as long as they have reasonable adult supervision. The private lake frontage from the side lawn of Fletcher cottage #2 is nearby, also shallow far from the shoreline. If you're a good swimmer, you might enjoy taking the rowboat out to deep water and jumping in there.

Q. What is the fishing like?

A. Both lakes have excellent reputations for fishing. They are similar in that regard. Smallmouth bass are the most sought-after fish on both lakes, and quite common. For those looking to catch larger fish, both lakes offer large-size pickerel (or northern pike). There are numerous panfish, such as pumpkinseeds. But as with the vast majority of other lakes, the most common fish you will catch will be perch.

Q. Where do I get a Vermont fishing license?

A. The Town Clerk's office, in either Hinesburg or Fletcher, or Estes' Hardware in Hinesburg Village, are among the many places to purchase a fishing license. However, you can save vacation time by purchasing a license ahead of time on line, at the Vermont Fish and Game Department site. The link for this is http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/licenses.cfm .

Q. Is the lake water clear?

A. Both lakes are clean, but, like most other lakes in Vermont, they have been infested with a form of seaweed known as Eurasian Milfoil. We'd rather not have it, and we have meetings on how to reduce it. But overall, it's a relatively minor nuisance on two very nice lakes.

Q. How hard is it to get back and forth between the cottages and the lake frontage?

A. From the Hinesburg cottage, you'll walk down a very short hill, with a choice of a path or stairs on the steeper parts. This may be somewhat challenging for the elderly, people with moderate disabilities, or very young children. In that case, you may drive your car between the cottage and the lake frontage. The driving route is very roundabout, but it makes the lake accessible for those who might otherwise have difficulty.

In Fletcher, the frontage and dock are very close, and easily visible from both cottages # 1 and 3, but across a quiet country road. Cottage #2 is directly on the lake.

Q. Is the heating system sufficient in each cottage if it gets chilly?

A. Both the Hinesburg cottage and Fletcher cottage #1 are cozy in even the coldest winter weather. Fletcher cottages #2 and 3 are heated and comfortable for three seasons, but not well enough insulated to be comfortable in winter.

Q. Are laundry facilities included?

A. A washer and dryer are provided in Fletcher #1 and Fletcher #3, but not in the others. There is a laundromat in Hinesburg Village and one in Jeffersonville. Ample quantities of clean sheets and towels are provided in each location.

Q. Is there a private telephone?

A. Yes, in each cottage. We do not post the phone numbers on the Web, out of respect for the privacy of guests, but if you need to know the phone number before you leave home to inform others how to reach you, just ask. If you make long-distance calls that will be charged to the cottage phone, please provide a credit-card number so that we can charge them when the bill comes in. In that case, we will mail the receipt, with a copy of the phone bill to verify the charges, to your home address.

Q. Will my cell phone work from the areas where these cottages are located?

A. Unfortunately, cell phone reception in the immediate vicinity of the Hinesburg cottage is not great, and is nonexistent in the immediate area of the Fletcher cottages. You don't have to drive far to reach areas with better reception, but be sure to give the cottage phone numbers to anybody who might need to reach you in an emergency. You can also give them our phone number (802/482-2988) so that we can pass along any emergency messages if they can't reach you.

Q. What is the TV reception like?

A. Fletcher #2 has satellite reception. The others all have rooftop antennas with rotors. Thanks to the digital converter boxes, the channels that do come in are sharp and clear. These include local Channel 3 (CBS) and Channels 5 (NBC). Depending on the cottage, you may also receive the local PBS and Fox stations. If you like movies, the cottages are equipped with DVD players. We try to leave a few DVDs available, but the selection may be hit or miss.

Q. Is there computer access?

A. None of the cottages has broadband access. All have phone lines, so you can set up your computer for dialup, if your service has a local or toll-free number. We have established a local dial-up account for you to use in Fletcher 1 and 3, and we make laptop computers available at those cottages. For the Hinesburg cottage, our house is nearby, and you are welcome to drop by for daily checks of your e-mail at convenient times. Also, the nearby Hinesburg public library offers free wireless, as do other nearby business establishments.

Q. Are there restaurants nearby?

A. Hinesburg has two main restaurants in the village. Papa Nick's has family fare, with excellent home cooking at very reasonable prices, and Greek gourmet specials on some nights. The Good Times Café has stone-cooked pizza, deli sandwiches, and an assortment of interesting items such as jambalaya, and sometimes live music during summer months. For the Fletcher area, there are several very nice restaurants in nearby Jeffersonville and Fairfax. If you're looking for a great dining experience, you may wish to drive a little farther to the greater Burlington area, which has a huge variety of good places to eat.

Q. Is there good shopping nearby?

A. For guests at the Hinesburg cottage, if you're looking for basic provisions, you can find them in Hinesburg village, with a good supermarket (Lantman's), a nice hardware (Estes'), a video rental store, and a couple of well-stocked convenience stores, among others. If you want to shop at a big-box store, they've all been built in Williston, about 10 miles away.

Guests in Fletcher will find good shopping in the nearby towns of Jeffersonville and Cambridge. The closest store with supermarket-type selections and prices is Cambridge Village Store. For a more varied shopping experience, you may wish to check out Burlington's famous Church-Street Marketplace. You may find other shopping ideas on our Vermont Links page.

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