Welcome Guide

Address: N2476 Whispering Pines Road, Waupaca, WI 54981

Local Contact and Housekeeper: Jill Danielson, 715-281-2012
Owners: Jennifer Castle, 937-266-1527 Sarah Castle, 937-266-1528

If you have any issues during your stay please let us know! We greatly appreciate guests bringing any problems to our attention. We will do our best to resolve.

Wi-Fi: SpectrumSetup-97, password: yellowcookie874

Check-in: 3pm, Check-out: 11am

Directions
Coming from the east on Whispering Pines Road we are the second driveway on the left after the bridge (just past Tom Thumb Mini Golf). Coming from the west (Rural Rd.) turn onto Whispering Pines Road, the cottage is about 1 mile down the road. There is a mailbox labeled “Castle Point” at the end of our gravel driveway.

Check-in Instructions
The front door has a keyless lock entry. Your access code will be sent at least 48 hours before check-in. The code will not work before 3pm. Enter your code to unlock the door. There is a slight delay. Press the lock symbol to lock the door from the outside. The door can be manually locked from the inside.

Check-out Instructions

  • Strip blankets, sheets and pillowcases from all used beds.
  • Please clean up any major messes and leave the cabin in the general condition it was in when you arrived.
  • Place all garbage and recycling in the appropriate bins outside.
  • Remove everything from the refrigerator and freezer. Please don’t leave any food.
  • Make sure all dishes have been washed and put away.
  • Turn off mini-split units and unplug any space heaters.
  • Set remote controls by each TV.
  • Close any open windows.
  • Put kayaks and canoes back on the storage rack.
  • Return oars, life jackets, beach chairs, etc. to the shed by the lake.
  • Lock both back doors.
  • Make sure the front door is locked behind you.
  • Safe travels!

Rules:
NO PETS
NO PARTIES OR LARGE GROUP GATHERINGS.
Guests are fine but please do not have a large party.
NO INTERIOR SMOKING – INCLUDING THE PORCHES
NO CANDLES IN THE COTTAGE
NO FIREWORKS
Do not rearrange furniture or take interior/porch furniture outside
Please no wet bathing suits on the living room futon

What to Bring

  • BATH AND BEACH TOWELS. Bed linens and pillows are provided but towels are not with the exception of hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom.
  • Extra toilet paper and paper towels. We provide a starter supply of paper towels and toilet paper so if your stay is more than a few days please plan to bring or buy any additional you may need.
  • Paper plates/plastic silverware. The cottage is fully stocked with plates, drinkware, silverware, cookware etc. but there is no dishwasher so you may prefer to use disposable plates, cups and silverware.
  • Foil, plastic wrap. There may be a supply left over from previous guests but not guaranteed.
  • Shampoo and shower soap (we try to provide a large bottle of “Everyone Soap” but please bring your own if you have a preference).
  • Coffee. There is a 12 cup drip coffeemaker. Filters are provided.
  • Floatation devices for the lake. There are some water noodles provided.
  • Mosquito repellent. You will need this in the evening around the campfire. There is usually some available on the porch but not guaranteed.
  • Firestarters. May be available but not guaranteed.
  • Firewood. There is a firewood pile you are welcome to but it is not covered. You may choose to buy dry wood.

What We Provide
Dish soap, hand soap, sponge, starter supply of paper towels and toilet paper, garbage bags, reusable coffee filter, hand towels only, dinner/drinkware including wine glasses and openers, pots, pans, bakeware, kettle, bathmat, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, selection of DVDs, board games, cards, books including children’s books, beach chairs for the dock and some water noodles, life jackets for the kayaks/canoes, firewood, charcoal grill, lighter (tends to go missing so not guaranteed) or matches, forks for roasting marshmallows, flashlight.

Water
The cabin is on well water that is tested annually and safe to drink.

Sleeping Porch
The beds on the sleeping porch will not be made up upon arrival because they are not always used. Bedding will either be in plastic bags set on each bed or in the large storage chest on the sleeping porch. We reuse the large plastic bags so please put those back in the storage chest. Fleece blankets are also provided for each bed (check right bathroom closet). There are also fans for the porch.

Mini-Split Air Conditioning/Heat
There are mini-split wall units in both bedrooms for air conditioning and heat. They are operated with remote controls that you can find mounted to the wall in each room. Please don’t make any adjustments on the units themselves. The fan can take a few minutes to turn on so please be patient. The living room has a window unit for AC or heat. Space heaters are available to heat the bathroom and kitchen.

TV
The living room and bedroom smart TVs have basic cable. For cable press Input > HDMI1/DC550D on the small black Vizio remote. If the large gray cable remote isn’t working press CBL. For streaming apps press the middle “Home” button on the Vizio remote. Please remember to log out of your apps. For the DVD player press Input > HDMI2.

Fireplace
The fireplace has a gas log insert. The pilot light may be lit weather dependent May/June/September. It is not guaranteed to be operable during these months however. We will try to have it on if the high temperature is the 60s or below. It is OFF July/August and the fireplace is never available to use during those months. Do not attempt to turn on the pilot light. There will be a remote control on the mantel when the fireplace is available for use. The remote control is the only way to operate the fireplace. Please be mindful of how much you are using the fireplace as it is supplied by a propane tank that also supplies the stove and the water heater. Turn the flame off if you are not enjoying the living room.

Trash
Trash pickup is Thursdays with recycling pickup every other Thursday. Please take garbage bins to the street Wednesday night and bring them back up after pickup. If the bins are on the street when you arrive please bring them back up after pickup. 2025 Recycling dates: May 22, June 5, June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14, August 28, September 11, September 25, October 9. If the bins are full and you cannot fit your trash please let us know. We appreciate your help with trash pickup.

Grill
There is a charcoal grill. Often there is leftover charcoal from previous guests but it is not guaranteed. Remember to put the cover back on the grill after use.

Boat Parking
Our dock allows for one boat (pontoon or speed) plus our kayaks and canoes. You are welcome to bring your own boat or rent one to keep at the cottage during your stay. Please dock your boat on the side with the cleats (right side if you are facing the lake).

Kayaks/Canoes
There are two kayaks and two canoes on the storage rack next to the dock for guest use. Do not use any of the other boats. Please put the kayaks and canoes back on the storage rack before you check out. Make sure they are stored upside down. Paddles, oars and life jackets are stored in the shed by the lake. Please return those as well before you check out.

Lawn/Maintenance/Repairs
There is a lawn service that comes to mow about once a week. Because the cabin is usually fully booked during the summer, occasionally repairs or other maintenance need to happen during guest’s stay. Guests will be given notice if anyone will be on the property especially if access to inside the cabin is needed.

Extra things to note
-Early in the season tree pollen can blow into the porches and coat the floor in a matter of hours after cleaning. You can find a Swiffer in the kitchen closet if you wish to use it.
-Lightbulbs, batteries, an umbrella and a vacuum are also in the kitchen closet.
-The two sheds in the upper yard are locked and for owner use only.

Our Recommendations

  • Stop at Chain One Stop (corner of Q/QQ) on your way in to stock up on essentials, beer (New Glarus is a must when you are in Wisconsin) and local cheese.
  • If you want a larger grocery store there’s Pick N Save or Piggly Wiggly.
  • Rent a pontoon boat from Becker Marine to explore all the lakes.
  • Adventure Outfitters has kayak and paddle board rentals as well as guided kayak tours.
  • A couple doors down from Castle Point is Tom Thumb mini golf for a nostalgic round or two.
  • Kayak or canoe through Beasley Creek into the Upper Chain. If you make it all the way to Marl Lake at the end you are in for a treat. The water is a unique blue-green color. You can dock at Whispering Pines Park and go for a swim. (You can also walk here from the cabin, turn left out of the driveway and it’s about a 10 minute walk up the road).
  • Turners Fresh Market has whatever is in season.
  • Take a cruise on the Chief Waupaca or The Lady of Lakes for a guided boat tour of the Chain.
  • Home of the vessels mentioned above Clear Water Harbor has waterfront dining, live music, as well as dock service. They also have a playground, arcade games and an ice cream window.
  • Wheelhouse has great pizza. Afterwards get ice cream at Scoopers.
  • Indian Crossing Casino (“ICC”) has new owners who have recently made some great improvements. Not really a casino – it’s a historic dance hall that still holds concerts. They have a restaurant and bar. You can dine with a beautiful water view or get carry-out on your boat. Try the cheese curds.
  • Finer dining at Simpson’s or Doc Kelly’s.
  • The Grand National Lodge for a cocktail and unique decor.
  • Downtown Waupaca is vibrant with great shopping. Antiques, clothing boutiques, gift shops. Our favorite place for breakfast is Little Fat Gretchen’s.
  • Rent bikes from Adventure Outfitters. You can bike to Hartman Creek State Park and on the rural roads around the cabin as well as the Wau-King trail.
    -Shambeau Park has a scenic hiking trail around a historic water-filled quarry.
  • U-pick flowers at Barnwood Farms
  • The Red Mill is a historic grist mill turned gift shop with coffee, sandwiches and ice cream. It is right on the banks of the Crystal River and has a nice little area to sit by the river or walk around with a covered bridge and even a little chapel in the woods.
  • There are two beaches in Waupaca which are great for kids – one at Hartman Creek State Park and South Park Beach at Shadow Lake near downtown.

Updated 4/18/25