Lower House Guidelines

CARING FOR THE LOWER HOUSE, while you are there…

Arrange for the boat: It is up to you to contact the lower house folks who will be there before you and after you, to make sure that the boat is at the municipal dock for departure/arrival in a coordinated manner. If the lower house will be empty after you leave alternative arrangements need to be made for the boat. If it is just one overnight then a fee can be paid to the dockmaster in Clayton. If it will be longer than one day, then request someone nearby to shuttle the boat (Felix/Edie or Franny/John), OR get a ride, OR hire water taxi for your transport.

Boat should have at least ONE FULL gas tank when each person leaves, in courtesy to the next person.

Opening:

Key hangs under the corner of the house, below the area where the coffee maker sits in the kitchen.. Lift up the lath board siding and feel for a hook to the upper left. Put the key back on the hook after opening so it doesn’t get lost, or locked inside the house when leaving!

Water system: Probably it is on, but check by turning the kitchen faucet briefly. If it is low pressure or none, then go to the pumphouse (skiffhouse small door towards the island) to see that the breaker box is ON.

Water Pump: If the water pressure seems slow, or the pump keeps switching on and off rapidly, this really indicates the need to replace the filter. Instructions to replace the filter are on the wall in the pumphouse. The filter in the pump should be replaced approximately once a week, and after a major storm that stirs up the riverwater.

Hot water heater (in the kitchen next to the stove): probably it is on, but in case not, the switch is in the panel breaker box above the dish rack of the sink. The double breaker is marked “water heater”

Having troubles? Call a family person first in case we have a tip…

Refrigerators: you may need to plug in the second refrigerator under the stairs, if you want to use it.

Composter toilet: A pinch of sawdust goes in after feces, but not after urine. Paper is okay but nothing else.

Beds: A bed left with sheets on, has been only one night used. See the list below about laundering before you leave.

Outdoor shower regular faucets no longer work, to turn on water go to the bottom of the pipes and turn the small red valves.

Small Boats:

  • bail out the collected water after rains.

  • The plastic kayaks should not stay in the sun constantly as it slowly deteriorates from UV light. Pull it up into the skiffhouse when done with it.

  • If a storm is brewing with heavy winds, check to see that small boats are not at risk of being swept off the slide or little beach. Pull these in, either onto the little beach and flip over, or up the slide and into the skiffhouse.

  • Beware of paddles getting lost, keep them firmly stored when not in use.

Tennis courts: Lindley Bay paid members and their guests can use the tennis courts. If you have not paid, you can join for whatever fee is affordable to you, go to the Lindley Bay website and donate by the PayPal button.

  • No playing tennis after 1pm.

  • Sweep after you are done playing

  • Wear only sneakers with low treads, to avoid pitting the court surface.

  • Be willing to water the courts when the clay gets dusty dry. Call Rum point or Franny/John if you need an explanation about how to do that.

Walking into Grindstone Island: We have permission from Rum Point to cross the lawn above/behind their Upper House to access the dirt road into Grindstone Island. Avoid walking elsewhere on Rum Point unless you are specifically visiting them.

When you leave:

  • Turn off all lights, coffee makers etc

  • All dishes clean

  • Leave no laundry on the line

  • All towels inside and dry, cleaned the day before you leave

  • Sheets should be laundered the day before departure, and remake the beds with clean ones for your last night.

  • Remove all your leftover food from the refrigerator. Condiments and basic staples food can be passed on to the next person.

  • Take your trash and recyclables with you

  • Pull small boats etc out of the water and up into the skiffhouse.

  • Park the small whaler under the boat house roof on our dock side, to avoid rainwater filling it up in our absence, if the lower house will be empty for a stretch.

  • IF after you the lower house will be empty for a week…. lock exterior doors, and turn off the hot water breakers in the breaker box (bottom two switches, labeled). The breaker box is on the wall in the kitchen behind the door.