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Little Cabin Details
Welcome to our little cabin in the woods.
Staying in Big Bear is unique. Staying in a little forest cabin is even more unique.
Please click on each of the items below to familiarize yourself with some of the more unique features. Please read each one because if it wasn't interesting, useful, or strange I wouldn't have bothered you with it.
For example: If you can't find the key, you can't get in and if you don't know how to turn the water on, you don't have any water. You know, stuff like that.
Neighbors Cabin
Let's start with being good neighbors.
You'll notice our cabin is quite close to our neighbor on the right. Be sure you leave plenty of parking for them.
They don't come up very often, but you can imagine how frustrating it would be to get to your cabin late at night and have someone parked in front of your door.
Our neighbors are Carl and Suzie. They own a seafood restaurant in Carlsbad and have owned their cabin for about seventeen years.
They're super nice, so if you do happen to see them, be sure to say hello.
You'll notice our cabin is quite close to our neighbor on the right. Be sure you leave plenty of parking for them.
They don't come up very often, but you can imagine how frustrating it would be to get to your cabin late at night and have someone parked in front of your door.
Our neighbors are Carl and Suzie. They own a seafood restaurant in Carlsbad and have owned their cabin for about seventeen years.
They're super nice, so if you do happen to see them, be sure to say hello.
Cabin Access
When you get to the cabin, look to the right of the front door, under the electric meter and you'll see a lockbox, to which you will be given the code.
There are two house keys in the box. I suggest you take one key from the box, to use during your stay, and leave the other one in the box, just in case you either lose your key or forget to return it to the box after your stay.
That way there's always a key in the box.
Note: The same code works for the tool shed in back of the cabin.
There are two house keys in the box. I suggest you take one key from the box, to use during your stay, and leave the other one in the box, just in case you either lose your key or forget to return it to the box after your stay.
That way there's always a key in the box.
Note: The same code works for the tool shed in back of the cabin.
Water Valves
Because Big Bear often has below-freezing temperatures, we keep the water off when we're not there. We do this in the summer too, more tojust stay in the habit.
The water valves are at the corner of the deck next to the water hose. We've marked them as to which way they turn on and off. Yes, one turns on clockwise and the other turns on counterclockwise. Don't think about it too much or your head will start to hurt.
If you forget to turn the water off when you leave. Don't worry about it. Just let us know and it'll be okay until the next visit.
Note: The old fashioned looking water bib next to the water valves is unique in that when you pull the handle up you get water for the hose, but when you turn it off it not only shuts off the water, but bleeds all the water out of the hose (underground), so it doesn't freeze in the winter.
The water valves are at the corner of the deck next to the water hose. We've marked them as to which way they turn on and off. Yes, one turns on clockwise and the other turns on counterclockwise. Don't think about it too much or your head will start to hurt.
If you forget to turn the water off when you leave. Don't worry about it. Just let us know and it'll be okay until the next visit.
Note: The old fashioned looking water bib next to the water valves is unique in that when you pull the handle up you get water for the hose, but when you turn it off it not only shuts off the water, but bleeds all the water out of the hose (underground), so it doesn't freeze in the winter.
Heaters & Thermostat
Two of the heaters are on the thermostat, and two of the heaters are on Alexa.
This is so we can turn two of the heaters on remotely before we go to the cabin. When you go to the cabin, I'll turn the heaters on the day before you arrive, so we can knock the chill off before you get there.
Well, sort of. Two heaters alone won't totally warm up the cabin, but they can take the temperature from 38 degrees to about 60 degrees.
What you have to do when you get to the cabin is switch the two Alexa-controlled heaters back to the thermostat. This is super simple.
The two Alexa-controlled heaters are on the left side of the couch and the right side of the cabinet bed. All you have to do is unplug each heater from the Amazon Smart Plug and plug it into the thermostat receiver.
Before you leave, switch the heaters back to the Smart Plugs again.
This is so we can turn two of the heaters on remotely before we go to the cabin. When you go to the cabin, I'll turn the heaters on the day before you arrive, so we can knock the chill off before you get there.
Well, sort of. Two heaters alone won't totally warm up the cabin, but they can take the temperature from 38 degrees to about 60 degrees.
What you have to do when you get to the cabin is switch the two Alexa-controlled heaters back to the thermostat. This is super simple.
The two Alexa-controlled heaters are on the left side of the couch and the right side of the cabinet bed. All you have to do is unplug each heater from the Amazon Smart Plug and plug it into the thermostat receiver.
Before you leave, switch the heaters back to the Smart Plugs again.
Internet Service
We have Frontier DSL service at the cabin. The DSL service is only 4 to 5MB per second, on a good day, but works well for Netflix and email. On a bad day, like when lots of people are visiting Big Bear, it can go from bad to worse, or fail completely.
The modem/router is located behind the cabinet, below the television.
The access code is in the guest information book.
If you happen to have a mobile internet hot spot, I'd suggest you bring it with you. I have a T-Moble hot spot I take with me and it does come in handy. I've had times the DSL is best and times the hot spot is best.
If you need help with the Internet, there's a link to the Frontier Router on the Links page.
The modem/router is located behind the cabinet, below the television.
The access code is in the guest information book.
If you happen to have a mobile internet hot spot, I'd suggest you bring it with you. I have a T-Moble hot spot I take with me and it does come in handy. I've had times the DSL is best and times the hot spot is best.
If you need help with the Internet, there's a link to the Frontier Router on the Links page.
Alexa
Alexa controls the living room lights and the porch light. During the winter I use Alexa to warm up the cabin before I arrive.
Here's what I like and use the most: We have four sconce lights in the living area that are controlled either by Alexa or the switch next to the front door. They’re numbered Light 1, Light 2, Light 3, and Light 4 from left to right.
When all the lights are on, two of them shine right on the TV. That's when I say, "Alexa, turn off the corner lights." Of course, you can do that manually. That's why I installed little pull-chain switches in each of the lights, but why would you want to?
Another great feature is, during the winter, I put two of the heaters on Alexa smart plugs, so I can tell Alexa to turn those heaters on before we get there. It is nice to arrive at a cabin that is something more than thirty-eight degrees.
A few useful commands:
Alexa, turn on the lights. (Turns on all the lights)
Alexa, turn off the lights. (Turns off all the lights)
Alexa, turn on the TV lights. (Turns on lights 1 & 4)
Alex, turn off the corner lights. (Turns off lights 2 & 3)
Alexa, turn on (or off) light 1, 2, 3, or 4. (Turns on (or off) each light respectively)
Alexa, turn on (or off) the porch light.
If you’re the techy sort, I welcome suggestions.
Here's what I like and use the most: We have four sconce lights in the living area that are controlled either by Alexa or the switch next to the front door. They’re numbered Light 1, Light 2, Light 3, and Light 4 from left to right.
When all the lights are on, two of them shine right on the TV. That's when I say, "Alexa, turn off the corner lights." Of course, you can do that manually. That's why I installed little pull-chain switches in each of the lights, but why would you want to?
Another great feature is, during the winter, I put two of the heaters on Alexa smart plugs, so I can tell Alexa to turn those heaters on before we get there. It is nice to arrive at a cabin that is something more than thirty-eight degrees.
A few useful commands:
Alexa, turn on the lights. (Turns on all the lights)
Alexa, turn off the lights. (Turns off all the lights)
Alexa, turn on the TV lights. (Turns on lights 1 & 4)
Alex, turn off the corner lights. (Turns off lights 2 & 3)
Alexa, turn on (or off) light 1, 2, 3, or 4. (Turns on (or off) each light respectively)
Alexa, turn on (or off) the porch light.
If you’re the techy sort, I welcome suggestions.
Garbage Disposal
Please put all food waste into the trash and only use the garbage disposal for those little bits of food that sneak into the sink.
Forest cabins all have septic tanks with leach fields. This means all waste goes into a tank, where it breaks down, while the liquid is filtered through perforated underground pipes.
Food and vegetable matter don't break down, so if they go down the drain, they collect in the holding tank, and has to be pumped out.
Forest cabins all have septic tanks with leach fields. This means all waste goes into a tank, where it breaks down, while the liquid is filtered through perforated underground pipes.
Food and vegetable matter don't break down, so if they go down the drain, they collect in the holding tank, and has to be pumped out.
Bathroom / Toilet
Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you anything technical or tricky about using the toilet. On the contrary. I'm just letting you know the toilet does not leak and you didn't break it.
Big Bear water is very cold, especially in the winter. When you flush a toilet with super-cold water, in a warm cabin, condensation forms on the outside of the toilet bowl.
You can look at it what happens to your eyeglasses when you walk into a warm room after being out in the cold - they totally fog up. Same thing, no problem, nothing to worry about.
Big Bear water is very cold, especially in the winter. When you flush a toilet with super-cold water, in a warm cabin, condensation forms on the outside of the toilet bowl.
You can look at it what happens to your eyeglasses when you walk into a warm room after being out in the cold - they totally fog up. Same thing, no problem, nothing to worry about.
Cabinet Bed
Everybody knows what a sofa sleeper is. Our sofa is a sleeper. A cabinet bed is another story. You could spend a week in the cabin and never know that big cabinet is actually a queen-sized bed. It's easy to use, but do be careful with your toes and fingers. Demo link below.
Just know that our bed sits on a thick rug, so you may need to wiggle the drawer and slideout extension, just a little, to get them in place.
We often leave the bed out during the day, if we don't plan to use the dining table. You're welcome to leave it open or closed when you leave.
Go the the Helpful Links page for a quick video on how to set up and put away the cbinet bed.
Just know that our bed sits on a thick rug, so you may need to wiggle the drawer and slideout extension, just a little, to get them in place.
We often leave the bed out during the day, if we don't plan to use the dining table. You're welcome to leave it open or closed when you leave.
Go the the Helpful Links page for a quick video on how to set up and put away the cbinet bed.
The Fire Pit
There's nothing like kicking back on the deck in front of the fire pit.
All you need to do is remove the cover and you'll see the propane tank is under the pit.
You can place the tank in the recessed basket next to the deck, which keeps it from rolling down the hill.
After you hook up the propane, there's an electric starter button on one corner of the fire pit, so just connect the tank, turn on the propane, push the button, and you have a fire.
Note: If you're touching the metal trim of the fire pit when you push the button you may feel a little shock. What can I say?
Please remember to turn off both gas valves and sisconnect the tank when the party's over.
All you need to do is remove the cover and you'll see the propane tank is under the pit.
You can place the tank in the recessed basket next to the deck, which keeps it from rolling down the hill.
After you hook up the propane, there's an electric starter button on one corner of the fire pit, so just connect the tank, turn on the propane, push the button, and you have a fire.
Note: If you're touching the metal trim of the fire pit when you push the button you may feel a little shock. What can I say?
Please remember to turn off both gas valves and sisconnect the tank when the party's over.
Hidden Room
What would an old castle, hidden in the backwoods of Big Bear, be without a hidden room?
I'm not going to tell you whereupon our vast estate it's hidden, but I will tell you it's where you'll find the cushions for the deck furniture and other stuff like extra bedding, daypacks, snowshoes, winter clothing, etc.
The attic/loft is clean and can be used as an extra sleeping area. If you do use it as a sleeping area there's a switch on each of the motion detector lights that can be turned off.
I'm not going to tell you whereupon our vast estate it's hidden, but I will tell you it's where you'll find the cushions for the deck furniture and other stuff like extra bedding, daypacks, snowshoes, winter clothing, etc.
The attic/loft is clean and can be used as an extra sleeping area. If you do use it as a sleeping area there's a switch on each of the motion detector lights that can be turned off.
Trash Drop-Off Sites
Forest Cabins don't have trash pick-up, but we do have access to two trash drop-off locations. You can either drop of your trash, or take it home with you, as we sometime do.
The important thing is to not leave any trash in or outside the cabin. When little animals can smell trash/food they eat their way right through the cabin walls to get at it.
The most convenient trash drop-off is on the way out of town at:
39690 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
The second location is generally busy on weekends and evenings, but not so busy early in the mornings. I generally use this one when I’m working on the cabin and have bags and bags of trash. I just make sure to get there early.
41970 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake CA 92315
Links to each location are on the Links page.
The important thing is to not leave any trash in or outside the cabin. When little animals can smell trash/food they eat their way right through the cabin walls to get at it.
The most convenient trash drop-off is on the way out of town at:
39690 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
The second location is generally busy on weekends and evenings, but not so busy early in the mornings. I generally use this one when I’m working on the cabin and have bags and bags of trash. I just make sure to get there early.
41970 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake CA 92315
Links to each location are on the Links page.
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