Getting In and Settled
Check-in is at 4:00 PM. Head to the main entrance and use the keycode we sent you at the front door – no key to lose, no one to meet.
Travel plans change. If you need an earlier check-in or a later check-out, just reach out – we’ll do what we can to make it work, as long as it doesn’t bump into another guest's stay or cut into our cleaners' time to get the house ready for the next arrival.
Check-out is by 11:00 AM. To lock up on your way out: pull the door shut until it latches, tap the Yale logo on the keypad, and wait for the click. That's it – no code needed to lock.
Network: VictoriaLakeCabin – Guest
No password needed – just select the network and you're connected.
Park in the driveway – plenty of room. Please leave the garage clear. If you spill onto the curb, just be mindful of neighbors and mailboxes.
Bins live outside the garage; pickup is Monday, so bins go out Sunday evening or first thing Monday morning. There's a second recycling bin in the hallway closet near the kitchen for anything that piles up inside.
One quirk worth knowing: the kitchen trash is a compactor, not a standard can. Step the front pedal to open it, step the right-side lever to compact, and step it again to bring the bin back up.
One tip: try not to compact with food sitting right on top – toss a bit of other garbage over it first. Otherwise food can stick to the compactor plate and start to smell.
In The House
You'll find everything for a real meal here: electric oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher, crockpot, blender, and waffle maker, plus a water pitcher and filter. Extra leaves for the 12-seat table are in the hallway closet near the kitchen, and a high chair is tucked in the mechanical room if little ones are joining.
Coffee maker and tea kettle are set up and ready. Mugs are in the cabinet below the coffee maker, and you'll find a few flavors of syrup right next to it if you want to doctor things up. If you're out of grounds or filters, check the cabinet just above the machine.
Smart TVs are set up in the main-level living room, the downstairs family room, the exercise room, and the game garage – all ready for you to log into your own streaming accounts. One favor: try to remember to log back out before you leave.
The thermostat is on the wall near the primary bedroom – set it wherever feels right. Just one ask: if you've got windows open, adjust the thermostat too, so we're not heating or cooling the outdoors. If anything seems off, just let us know.
Outside and On The Water
Two fire pits – one in the backyard, one down by the lake – with firewood stacked and ready along the property line. Please make sure fires are fully out before you turn in for the night.
The 4-burner propane griddle lives in the garage – please roll it outside before firing it up, and back in when you're done. Give it a wipe-down after each use and turn the propane off completely when finished. There's a backup propane tank if you run out – just let us know if you empty one so we can have it swapped before the next guest.
We're on Lake Victoria, part of Alexandria's chain of lakes. Depending on water levels, you can sometimes boat through to the connected lakes – it varies, so don't count on it every trip. Fishing right off the dock and along the shoreline is a favorite with kids.
We have a dock, so if you're bringing your own boat, you're welcome to tie it up there for your stay.
Two paddle boards (with kayak seats), a canoe, and now a pedal boat are yours to use, along with life jackets in infant, child, youth, and adult sizes.
Renting something bigger? ToonTastic Pontoon Rentals, Alexandria Jet Ski/Pontoon Rental, and Adrenaline Sports of Alex are all nearby.
House Rules and Safety
A few things that keep the house comfortable for everyone:
- Up to 12 overnight guests – kids 5 and under don't count toward that number
- Small, respectful gatherings are welcome – no parties or organized events
- Quiet hours are 10:00 PM-7:00 AM, out of respect for the neighbors
- This is a pet-free home
- No smoking indoors – the curb works, and we appreciate you cleaning up after
- Please don't move furniture around, and no illegal activity, of course
- Keep vehicles out of the garage; if you're along the curb, watch for mailboxes
- Kids need an adult with them any time they're near the water or dock
- Yard games and lake toys go back to their spots when you're done for the day
- No cleaning fish inside the home or garage, and no remains left on the property
- Something breaks or isn't working? Tell us right away so we can fix it.
For everyone's safety, we have exterior security cameras covering the front and back of the house. They're video only – no audio is recorded – and we don't actively monitor them day to day, only when there's a reason to check.
Please run the bathroom fan any time you shower. We have water-leak sensors in the bathrooms, and built-up humidity from a shower without the fan running can be enough to set them off. Running the fan keeps things dry and keeps you from getting a false alarm.
In a true emergency, call 911 first.
Fire extinguishers are placed throughout the house – ledges, window sills, other visible spots. The first aid kit is in the top drawer of the bathroom vanity.
Alexandria Clinic – 610 30th Ave W, Alexandria – (320) 763-5123
Alomere Health Hospital – 111 17th Ave E, Alexandria – (320) 762-1511
Fire Station – 302 Fillmore St, Alexandria – (320) 763-6488
Police Station – 501 3rd Ave W, Alexandria – (320) 763-6631
Explore Alexandria
The Garden Bar on 6th – American
Pike and Pint Grill – American, seafood
DJ's Tap House and Grill – American, bar fare
Boulder Tap House – American
La Ferme – American, international
Zorbaz – our local favorite: great pizza, a solid Mexican menu, and the best lakeside vibe around after a day on the water
Common Ground Coffee House – 11 min drive
Hello Beautiful Boutique & Coffee – 12 min drive
Deja Bleu House of Coffee – 11 min drive
The Edge Co. – 11 min drive
Hikes and trails: Central Lakes State Trail, Lake Carlos State Park, Inspiration Peak, Brophy Park Trails, Runestone Park Trails
Breweries and wineries: Copper Trail Brewing, 22 Northmen Brewing Co. & Carlos Creek Winery, Ida Graves Distillery, Burr Vineyards, Rolling Forks Vineyard
Golf and pickleball: Alexandria Golf Club, Geneva Golf Club, Hardwood Hills Golf Course, Atikwa Golf Course, City Pickleball Courts
With the kids: Arrowwood Indoor Waterpark, Casey's Amusement Park, Big Ole Viking Statue & Runestone Museum
Before You Go
By 11:00 AM:
- Load and run the dishwasher
- Turn off lights and appliances
- Take the trash out to the bins
- Pull used linens off the beds and pile sheets and pillowcases on the mattresses
- Double-check windows are closed and doors are locked
That's everything – thank you for taking care of the place. If you had a great stay and feel like we earned a 5-star review, we'd be so grateful if you left one on Airbnb – it genuinely helps us out. We'd love to have you back.
Loved your stay? Next time, message us directly instead of booking through Airbnb to save on fees – just call, text, or email and we'll get you set up.
Phone/Text: (701) 710-1027
Email: [email protected]