Frequently
Asked Questions
I'd like to visit Oiseau Rock. What is it, and is it close?
I have friends/business in the Deep River area. Are the cottages close?
Will someone be on hand to take us on some day trips?
Why do you require a 50% deposit?
Can my dogs come with me to Oiseau Bay?
Can I book a stay that's less than a week in summer?
How do I drive to Oiseau Bay Cottages?
Do I need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get there?
Where can I rent a boat?
What about fishing at Oiseau Bay?
What should we bring?
Can we
drink the water?
Are there shops nearby to do our grocery shopping?
How
should we pack our food?
What does "off-grid" mean for me and my vacation?
Do you have cell service and Internet access?
How much privacy is there between cottages?
How is the swimming at Oiseau Bay?
Are there birds and wildlife there?
Can I bring my tent to stow away some extra visitors?
I want to come for an afternoon to have a look around or show some
friends. Can I do that?
I'd like to visit Oiseau Rock. What is it, and is it close?
Oiseau
Rock is a magnificent rock feature jutting out of the Ottawa River
not far from our property boundary.
It is a sacred Aboriginal site. It has ancient Algonquin aboriginal
pictographs, and there are many legends and lore surrounding this
amazing place.
You can
hike to the top of Oiseau Rock, where there is a spectacular
lookout, a picnic area, and a crystal-clear spring-fed lake for
swimming. You can paddle or boat to the trailhead from here (a
~1-mile trip by water), or you can access a new trail opening 2010
by vehicle. A trip to Oiseau Rock is an unforgettable event.
I have friends/business in the Deep River area. Are the cottages close?
Our
offices are in Deep River, Ontario, but the cottages are 8 miles
downriver on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River. If you have
access to a boat in summertime, it is a short boat ride to visit
Deep River. If you will be travelling by vehicle, then it is about a
2-hour drive to Deep River (and a 1-hour drive to Pembroke). That
said, we are a little too "off the beaten track" to use as a home
base if you plan to do a lot of visiting. Our happiest guests tend
to make very few (or no) trips into town.
If
you'd like to paddle in or ski in, it is an 8-mile journey down
river from Deep River to get to us.
Will someone be on hand to take us on some day trips around the
property?
We'd
love to take a few hours to show you somewhere really special. We do
not charge for day trips and we're happy to take you around this
area that we love. If
you're happy with what you saw afterwards, and if you're glad we
spent part of our workday with you, you'd be welcome to leave a tip
upon your check-out.
Why do you require a 50%
deposit?
A 50%
deposit is common for small vacation rentals like us. Unlike a hotel
or motel in the city, we NEVER overbook, we turn away many bookings
once you've reserved, and we cannot fill your spot last minute if
you cancel. The deposit ensures you that we're serious, and us that
you're serious. It's a win win!
Can my dogs come
with me to Oiseau Bay?
Yes!
Our cottages are pet-friendly. Our resident hound dog hostess Lucy
gets along well with other dogs, and your canine companions will
have lots of room to run, chase, and swim. There is a charge of
$10.00 per night per dog. We ask that you keep your dogs off the
furniture and barking to a minimum.
*Please, do not feed our dog Lucy people food. We have worked
diligently to train her--please don't undo our hard work! We also
have an outdoor barn cat that is not allowed in the buildings and is
not allowed to be fed by the guests. Thanks for helping us keep
Kitty Lin in line!
Can
I book a stay that's less than a week in the summer?
In July
and August especially, we tend to only book full weeks (Saturday to
Saturday). However, if you have a shorter window of time in mind,
email us and we'll see what we can do.
How do I drive to
Oiseau Bay Cottages?
Driving
directions can be found under the "How To Find Us" tab. We
have a locked gate at the edge of our property, so you will have to
contact us before you come to get through.
Do I need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to the cottages?
We
recommend having a four-wheel drive to come in. If this is not
possible, smaller cars can also make the trip. Be mindful as you
drive on the back roads, especially of your clearance. Please review
our
Small Vehicle Tips if you are
driving a car in.
*A 4WD
is necessary when coming in the winter and early (wet) spring.
Where can I
rent a boat to use at Oiseau Bay?
If you'd like to have
a motorized boat while you are here, we recommend renting one from
Deep River. Try
Ryan's Campsite at (613) 584-3453.
What about fishing at
Oiseau Bay?
There
is great fishing all along this stretch of the Ottawa River. We are
also only a couple of kilometers away from some great fishing lakes.
You will need a Quebec fishing pass, which you can pick up at one of
the convenient stores as you drive here. Or, if you're boating in
from Deep River, pick one up in Swisha. Also, legally you need bait
purchased in Quebec. Keep your receipts for your minnows!
What should we bring?
Flashlights (1 per person), child's lifejackets (if necessary), bath
and beach towels, bug
repellent and sunscreen, bandaids for scrapes, a cell phone, driving
directions from our website, slippers in the cooler seasons, and
don't forget your butter! Bring all of your cold food in coolers,
and as much frozen as possible. We also recommend biodegradable shampoos.
*What
you shouldn't bring: Avoid bringing glass, any appliances that plug
in, fireworks,
little candies with little wrappers, factory packaging, and complainers.
Can we drink the water?
Yes.
Are
there shops nearby to do our grocery shopping?
There
are small convenient stores in the townships about a half hour's
drive from Oiseau Bay. We recommend bringing all of your food in
coolers from your home base. There are also large grocery stores in
Pembroke, Ontario on the drive in.
How should we pack our food?
Please
bring your perishable food in coolers, and bring frozen things
already frozen. Please do not bring liquor, wine, or beer in glass
bottles (common wilderness/Park etiquette).
What does
"off-grid" mean for me and my vacation?
We do
not have 120-volt electricity on the property, but we do have
lights, stoves and ovens, refrigeration units, etc.--basically,
everything you're used to except for hair dryers! You'll be
surprised by how easy and comfortable it is to live off the grid.
Just please be mindful that you do not waste resources.
Do you have
cell service and Internet access?
You can
get cell service where the cottages are. Bring your 12-volt cell car
charger to keep your phone powered. We cannot power
laptop computers, but if you have sufficient battery power and a USB
go-anywhere Internet stick, you should be able to
connect. But don't be afraid to leave the computer behind and really
"let go of it all." You deserve it!
How much
privacy is there between cottages?
The 4
cottages are spaced around a large wildflower field over about 0.75
kilometers. Each building has its own lawns, BBQ areas, etc., and
each feels very spacious. It is about a 2 to 5 minute walk between
buildings.
*Check
out our little map.
Click here.
How is the swimming?
Good.
Are there birds and
wildlife there?
Birders, they don't call this place "Oiseau Bay" (Bird Bay in
French) for nothing! We are close to a peregrine falcon and bald
eagle nesting ground, and there are oodles of north-eastern Ontario
birds of all kinds.
In
terms of animals, don't be surprised if you see deer and moose
tracks, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, wild turkeys, fox, geese,
loons and grebes, and butterflies of all sorts.
Can I bring my tent to stow away some extra visitors?
Probably not. We
do not allow tenting on the property unless its by a group that is
already booking cottages.
There is also an additional
charge of $35.00 per person per night if you exceed the number of
guests per cottage. Thank you.
I want to come for an afternoon to have a look around or show some
friends. Can I do that?
We ask
that new friends don't drop in on us unexpectedly, especially during the
busy summer months. Other guests have come here for privacy and
seclusion, and we respect that.
Of
course, we love showing like-minded people this special place.
There's so much history and beauty here! But our main focus is cottage rental. So, if you'd like to set up an
appointment with us, we would be happy to show you and your group
around if we are available to do so.
Because
we'll spend a good part of our workday giving you a tour and telling you as many
stories about the property as possible, we ask for a $50.00 donation for
groups of 4 or less, and a $75.00 donation for groups of 5 or more. If
somebody books a future cottage rental that same day as a result of their time
with us, then that donation will come off the price of their rental.
Thank you for your understanding.
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