Water Forest Retreat -Octagon

Water Forest retreat is a very private 144 ft.² electrified and heated cedar octagon next to a brook on 100 acres of forest with a pond, waterfall, marsh and hiking trails. Cozy up in this quiet comfortable space while listening to Goldmine brook while you sleep. Fire pit, heated outhouse with composting toilet, outdoor dining area, brook, pond and trail head are just steps away. We also have a TREE HOUSE and HIKER’S HAVEN house by the brook. Please click on our profile picture to read more. Regarding the coronavirus, We follow all CDC cleaning protocols. We also supply sanitizer wipes, Lysol and hand sanitizer. Welcome to Water Forest Retreat, a tiny home on 100 acres of forest. It is a great place to relax and take in Nature, hike, mushroom hunt, write, read, fish, bird and animal watch, meditate, create art or music, photography, snow shoe, cross country ski and star gaze as there is little light pollution, in a private woodland setting. This 144 ft.² (13.37 sq. meters) cedar octagon has electricity but not running water/plumbing. Bottled water is provided. The space has windows with screens and shades on all eight sides for marvelous views of the forest and Goldmine brook. It also has a locking door. The key is on top of the cabinet. The space includes a full sized bed with a comfortable hybrid coil/memory foam mattress. The sheets are a soft 400 thread count and there are plenty of pillows, quilts and a faux fur throw. There is also a table with two chairs for dining, writing or computer work and a cabinet which stores some camping essentials. On top of the cabinet you will find a complimentary hand made glycerin soap. The lamps by the bed have usb ports for charging your phone. Above it all hangs a driftwood chandelier decorated with seashells, crystals and fairy lights. A book binder is provided with extra information, trail maps and directions on how to use the propane heater, propane camp stove, coffee machine and electric fire place. Although there is no traditional kitchen, inside there is space on top of the cabinet, table and outdoor tables where you can prepare your meals. There is no fridge or microwave. We have a large lobster pot and a tripod pizza grill available upon request. There are 2 1/2 miles of well-maintained hiking trails with some that follow the brook to a waterfall which once hosted a gristmill back in the 1700s. You can still see the large stone foundations. Along the trails you will see many of the iconic stone walls that are unique to New England. Maps are provided in the book binder and trail markers are posted along the way. There are many benches and chairs along the trail for you to sit, relax and enjoy your surroundings. While hiking the trails walking poles or sticks are suggested. (You can use the handmade walking sticks in the octagon) The terrain is hilly and has occasional stone steps and steep areas. Proper hiking shoes are strongly recommended. Due to the nature of the trails no ATV, dirt or mountain biking is allowed. These are hiking trails only. While hiking please stay on our side of the brook as the opposite side is owed by our neighbor. Also, please respect the private signs as one trail leads to the tree house and the other leads to Hiker’s Haven where guests may be staying. There is a good distance between the three buildings so you will not be able to see each other even in winter. We wanted to make each site secluded and private. It is a 5 minute walk to a springfed pond which is part of Goldmine brook. The brook is rated class A and supports a myriad of wildlife including river otters, mink, muskrats and great blue herons. If you like to fish bring your gear to try for pickerel, shiners, yellow perch, white perch, big mouth bass, smallmouth bass, and native trout. Previous guests have had great luck flyfishing here. If you are looking for a place to swim, canoe or kayak visit Gardner lake state park which is only 15 minutes away in Salem. (You will need to supply your own canoe and kayaks) Depending on water flow, you can take a dip in the small pool just below the Goldmine brook waterfall which is a 20 to 25 minute hike away or swim in goldmine pond which is a five minute hike away. We supply water floats. Please wear water shoes as the brook is rocky. Looking for some ocean fun? Bluff point state park in Groton is another good choice. Here they have a beach along with hiking trails and is 24 minutes away. Both places are free of charge. Please check out our guidebook on Airbnb by clicking our profile picture for more things to do in the area. The outhouse, which is close to the octagon, has a vented composting toilet and is supplied with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Directions on how to use the toilet are posted on the wall. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY so that it will function properly. NEVER urinate with the chute open. In winter the outhouse is provisioned with an electric heater for your comfort. The outdoor living area is conveniently layered with crushed stone. Enjoy a fire in the fire pit and meals either outdoors or in. A grill is provided for cooking over the fire pit. There are also tiki torches for extra light and ambiance along with tables and chairs. Down by the brook there are two zero gravity lounge chairs. Seasoned wood is available for 6 dollars per five gallon bucket and includes fire starter. Please, no wood deliveries after dusk. You can also bring your own wood and are welcome to any wood on the forest floor as long as it is not being used to mark the trails. In the cabinet you will find camping essentials such as a propane camp stove, propane canisters, pots, pans, cutlery, dinnerware set, assorted cooking utensils, cutting board, dish drying cloth, spices, and scissors. Pottery mugs are provided. Nancy makes the mugs and they are for sale at 34.00 each. There are also wine glasses and a wine bottle opener for that special occasion. Since there is no refrigerator, you will need to bring your own cooler or borrow ours. We also have ice packs. There is a Big Y and Walmart 1 mile away. Looking for a liquor store? Bozrah wine and spirits is 1 mile away heading west on route 82. If you do not wish to cook your meals, there are plenty of local restaurants close by. We provide a few menus in the book binder that you can look through. Many restaurants make deliveries or you can use a delivery app.such as (Website hidden by Airbnb) We also have a Kuerig machine with coffee, tea, hot cider, chai latte and hot chocolate for your favorite brew. We provide assorted sweeteners and creamer. There are also a few snacks. Bottled water is provided or you can fill up a container at the shower in the warmer months as the well water is very good. A fan and electric fireplace are provided for your comfort. On very cold nights we also supply a propane heater. Flashlights, lantern, insect repellent, lighters, paper towels, Lysol cleaner, first aid kit, a mirror and umbrellas are also provided. An assortment of games are stored under the bed. Because of the distance Wi-Fi is not available in the octagon, but is available near the main house and in the pottery studio which is a walking distance of 288 feet. If your device is supported by any Internet provider you will be able to get online. Enjoy a hot outdoor shower up at the main house. The shower is private while you are using it, but is shared with guests. There is also a sink here where you can wash your dishes. Plush towels, washcloths and body soap are available in a container under the bed. Shampoo and conditioner are up at the shower. Dish soap and sponges are provided at the sink. There is a black plastic container under the bed to put your used dishes in. Due to freezing temperatures the shower and sink are not available in the winter. A wash basin is provided under the bed for sponge bathing. You can use the coffee machine or the propane camp stove to heat water. Guests staying for two nights or more during this season are more than welcome to use the inside shower up at the main house. In winter we will take care of washing the dishes. For the nature enthusiast, take part in a guided nature walk where Nancy will discuss the history, plants, animals, geology and mushrooms found in the area. A guided walk costs $15 per person and lasts about an hour and a half to two hours. We usually cover 2 miles during the walk and may go off trail. After the hike we will go to the studio and sample some autumn berry syrup, Shagbark hickory syrup, sassafras syrup, spice bush pepper and acorn or mushroom cookies when available. We have some shagbark hickory syrup for sale. You might want to bring something to drink, a snack and your camera. BEFORE YOU BOOK, please keep in mind that this is a fancy form of camping that is semi off grid ( no running water in Octagon) with all that camping entails including insects, animals, sudden weather changes, rocky paths and hilly terrain. There is also a short walk to the shower and parking lot (1 minute) In winter during very cold temperatures the octagon will be nice and cozy though the floor may be cool. Being in the forest you may get to hear our resident barred owls, red fox, eastern coyotes or possibly come across a white tailed deer or mink while hiking. The distance from the parking area to the octagon is approximately 288 feet with 156 feet of that being in the forest. ( about a 1 minute walk) Since the octagon is small please pack appropriately. We will be more than happy to help you with your luggage. Be mindful of check-in and checkout times. If you tell us you plan to arrive at three and do not show up until 9 o’clock, realize that we have been waiting many hours for you when we could’ve been doing something else. We have also been running electricity and heat which is wasteful. If you are going to be late, please have the courtesy to let us know. Unfortunately our tiny homes are not conducive for lockbox entry and we need to show you around. We also need time to clean after check out for the next guest and are on a tight schedule, so please do not ask to extend your check out time. Please read the house rules. Smoking is not allowed inside the octagon, but is allowed outside of it. For people staying two nights or more I will leave you a check in text to see how you are doing. We also have a pottery shop-studio that you are more than welcome to visit. There are many items for sale including hand woven scarves, hand made earrings and Shagbark Hickory syrup all made here. Check out is easy. Please leave the key on top of the cabinet and you’re all set to go! If you would like to stay longer and hike the trails after check out you are more than welcome. Bert and I will do everything we can to make this a memorable and enjoyable visit. Please feel free to contact us at anytime if you need anything during your stay. We look forward to hosting you! The parking area, garden, yard, shower area and forest trails. Please respect the private signs as these trails lead to the tree house or Hiker’s Haven where guests may be staying. Also, please stay on our side of the brook as the opposite side belongs to our neighbor. Thank you for your cooperation! We want your stay to be peaceful and relaxing. During your stay the octagon will be your private oasis. Since we live on the property, one or both of us will always be available for questions or needs, if you want to share your fire and chat, or if you need help, otherwise we will respect your privacy. We live at the end of a cul-de-sac in a quiet residential neighborhood that Nancy's father and grandfather built in the late 1950's. The octagon is nestled on 100 acres of forest with a brook running along one side of the property. Car, Uber or train. Please bring your own personal toiletries, food, drinks and ice for your cooler (or you can borrow ours). We also have ice packs if you need them. You may also want to bring footwear for hiking, the outdoor shower or if you plan to go into the brook as it is rocky. We do not make wood deliveries after dusk, but if you need more wood you are welcome to pick up a bucket by the basement door which we will get ready for you. Thanks for your cooperation!