The Short Version
The things people text us about, answered before you have to ask.
Finding the House
Easy to find, and short directions for once.
Route 6 to Route 316
Get yourself onto 316 and the rest is short.
Take your third left onto School Road
School Road leads straight into Lakeside Drive. The name changes under you, so just keep going.
Ours is the reddish brown house on the left
Pull into the driveway in front of the door, or park along the road. The driveway fits three to four cars.
If you want to stop on the way
Manchester and South Windsor have everything. Right off the highway is the Buckland Hills area, with plenty of restaurants, an IMAX theater, shoe stores, Costco and the rest.
Flying into Bradley?
The most convenient grocery store on the way is a wonderful Highland Park Market. It's a high-end store that'll have whatever you need, so you can get your groceries done in one stop, arrive, and actually sit down for a bit before heading out again. Anything else is well out of the way if you'd rather drive straight here.
The House
Heat and cooling
The heat and air are remotely controlled and usually set to a comfortable 72 degrees in the winter and 78 in the summer. If you'd prefer to change it, just ask us for the code.
On nice days, feel free to open the screened windows.
Television
TV service runs through Comcast internet TV. Please use your own Amazon, Netflix, YouTube or DirecTV accounts, that's what it's there for.
The upstairs TV has a Fire Stick for your use.
Trash and recycling
The cans are outside. Pickup is Saturday, so if you're here over a weekend please have the cans up by the road by mid-morning Saturday.
If it snows
Someone will clear the driveway once a snowstorm has finished. If you need it done earlier than that, please contact us.
There are snow shovels and ice melt in the shed. Again, if you need assistance just ask.
On the Lake
Plenty of our guests come to Andover for family nearby, and the lake turns out to be the bonus. Either way, here are a few things to know before you're standing on the dock deciding what to do first.
Kayaks are yours to use
They're available for your enjoyment. Life jackets are required by state law for anyone under 16, and for everyone between October 1 and May 31.
Swim, but please don't dive
Swimming is always encouraged. But no diving from the dock or the raft. There are hidden rocks around both, and we mean it.
The fishing is world class
Largemouth and smallmouth bass, mostly. If you're not going to eat what you catch, please practice catch and release. A fishing license is required for anyone over 16.
The Sunfish sailboat
Sorry, the sailboat is not available for guest use.
Where We Send People
Eat and shop
Groceries
Ted's IGA in Hebron is the close one. For a bigger run there are major chains in Willimantic and Manchester.
Gina Marie's
In Hebron, and it's great. Our local pick.
Texas Roadhouse
In Manchester, if that's the night you're having.
Walking, right out the door
The loop around the lake
Four miles, about an hour. The best thing to do here that costs nothing.
The spillway path
Head right up Lakeside Drive. Just about at the little free library there's a path on the right that takes you over the spillway.
After crossing the dam, walk up the dirt road and take the first left, which brings you out to Lake Road. Turn right and the road carries you around the lake and back onto Lakeside Drive, ready for a rest.
That stretch is private property, but as our guest you're welcome to use it. If anyone asks, just say you're a guest of Marcie and Jeff Miner.
Hiking and biking
Right in Andover
There are trails behind the Andover Elementary School on School Road. Park at the lot at the Nature Pond Preserve, just down the street on Route 316.
Worth the short drive
- Case Mountain in Manchester
- Gay City State Park in Hebron
- Nathan Hale in Coventry
Those are just the ones we go to most.
If You Need Help
Emergency
Call 911.
Hospitals
Willimantic and Manchester.
Urgent care
There's a medical emergency center in Marlborough, plus clinics in Coventry and Willimantic.
Checking Out
Check-out is 10:00 AM. Three things before you go, to help us get ready for the next guest.
Load the dishwasher and run it
Soap is provided.
Take out the trash and recycling
Into the cans outside.
Windows, doors, heat
Double check the windows and doors are closed and the heat is turned down.
We Hope You Enjoyed Your Stay
Marcie and Jeff answer within the hour, and have for eight years running. If you have any questions or concerns while you're here, please just ask. We'd always rather hear about it now than read about it later.
Marcie 860-377-0058 Jeff 860-428-7701 GreatMinerStays@gmail.com minerstays.com