Club Thunderbird Lodge: Gather, Give Thanks, and Make Memories by the River

CLUB THUNDERBIRD LODGE (A PRIVATE LODGE AND PRIVATE CABIN COMBINATION)
SLEEPS: 10
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 3
*RIVERFRONT (Au Sable River-Holy Waters)
*FLY FISHING ONLY (DRY FLY, CATCH AND RELEASE)
*2 PETS are WELCOME

In the middle of the Holy Waters stretch of the Au Sable River rests the Club Thunderbird property. Originally built in the 1920's as a private fishing club for Detroit's industrialists, the property includes a Main Lodge and the adjacent Squall Cabin. The half-mile drive through towering pines, oaks, and birches leads to one of the biggest whole log structures on the river. It's like taking a step back in time when you open the door to this classic lodge experience- huge porches, views of the river, and just steps to the dock. After a day of incomparable fishing, kayaking(available to rent nearby), and tubing, followed by cocktail hour on the porch and dinner around the big oak table, fall asleep listening to the wind in the pines and tumbling river.

​​​​​​​The 7 acre property is completely surrounded on both sides of the river by 250 acres of Trout Unlimited land that is yours to explore- no neighbors in sight! Both the Lodge and the Cabin are solely yours to enjoy with your family and friends during your stay.

At Thunderbird Lodge, envision yourself stepping out of the living room, facing the riverside, and stretching onto the side of the house you will find a screened in porch where summer night dreams of a forest are made. Four of the six bedrooms in the houses front the river, but in the Squall Cabin you can sleep in the summertime bed on the porch to feel enmeshed with nature- feet from the river and much better than a tent!

Club Thunderbird's serenity and beauty will surround you just take a deep breath and exhale...


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Accessibility: This is a one level (a ranch-style home). The bathrooms and hallways are not up to official handicap standards and do not come equipped with special apparatus to help those in need. Please use caution. The short walkway down to the river has steep, uneven, concrete steps.

Acreage: 7 private acres surrounded by 250 acres of Trout Unlimited land.

(NO) Air Conditioning: No, however there are fans and lots of shade surrounding the Lodge and adjacent Squall Cabin

ATV's/Snowmobiles: Approximately 13 miles to the LP9 snowmobile trail. The trail map will show you the locations of places to park your trailer. Please refer to the Crawford County snowmobile map. ATV's - PLEASE be respectful riding on the lawn and landscaping bushes and plants.

Bathroom: 3 bathrooms, 2 in Main cabin, 1 in Squall cabin

Thunderbird Lodge: 1 bathroom with toilet & claw foot tub (no sink)
1 bathroom with toilet & stand-up shower (no sink)
Sinks with mirrors are in each bedroom of main cabin.

Squall Cabin: 1 bathroom with toilet, sink & stand-up shower.

Bedroom Configuration: 4 bedrooms in main cabin, 2 in squall cabin (porch has a queen size bed)

Main Cabin: Bedrooms 1 - 3 all have 2 twin beds in each room with a sink and mirror
Bedroom 4: 1 Double bed
Squall Cabin: Bedrooms 1 & 2- 2 twin beds in each room.
Porch - 1 Queen bed.

Boats: NO (but there are places to rent canoes and Kayaks nearby)

Bugs: Yes, there are plenty of bugs in the wilderness. If doors are left open at the cabin, even for short periods of time, then bugs/flies/mosquitos love to sneak in. We do not spray outside for bugs, as with the natural landscape, along comes bugs. Depending on the level of rainfall, mosquitos can be plentiful. Bug spray is highly recommended. Still, the large screened in porch is a welcome reprieve.

Cable: Yes, there is Smart TV in the Thunderbird Lodge only. Currently, there isn't a TV or Cable in Squall Cabin.

Cell phone service: Verizon provides a solid signal (3-4 bars) for most, AT&T cell signals struggle (normally 0-1 bars).

Distances:
* Forest Dunes Golf Club- 16 mins ( 10.5 miles)
* Grayling Township- 12 mins (8 miles)
* Hartwick Pines- 18 mins (13 miles)
* Higgins Lake State Park/Beach- 28 mins (25 miles)
* Mackinac City- 70 minutes- (90 miles)
* Traverse City- 1 hour & 18 mins (62 miles)

Dock: Yes, there is a platform along the water.

Drinking Water: Mineral-rich well water from underground springs. Water filter jug provided for those who don't like the taste.

Drugs/Smoking/Fireworks: Freshwater does not permit illegal drugs of any kind on the property. Due to the location of the properties, smoking is strongly discouraged around the home and strictly prohibited in the home. Fireworks are prohibited at a Freshwater location for the safety of all persons in and around the property, even if it is legal in that city.

Fireplace: Yes, in Main Cabin (firewood provided)

Fire pit- Yes, newly constructed stone firepit. Wood is provided. Please verify that there are no fire hazards before starting fires outside in the pit. You can check on this site for restrictions.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/restrictions.asp

Fishing: The Au Sable River- and Club Thunderbird area in particular is known as the birthplace of Trout Unlimited. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rocky Mountains. Fly-fishing along the Au Sable is on every fisher's bucket list. This stretch of the Au Sable, The Holy Waters, is known as a prominent trout area. Fisher's bring your gear-it is catch and release, fly-fishing only. Dry flies only. Waders suggested. Patience (and maybe some skill) will reward you with one of our flashing brooks, brown, or rainbow trout. (Must purchase a fishing license.)

Grill: Please bring your own charcoal, lighter fluid provided, or you may use the electric starter-DO NOT USE BOTH!

Grocery Store: Family Fare and Save-A-Lot, both in Grayling

Internet: 2 Wi-Fi hotspots. Hotspots can be intermittent, so internet may be slow at times.

Linens: Yes, we provide your linens and towels. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you are particular about the thread count of your sheets, just let me know, and I'll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillowcases, and bath towels.

Parking: Plenty of parking for all your cars/trucks, including trailers. Plenty of room to pull around your trailer, so you don't need to back up! We ask that guests do not bring campers or RV's.

Pets: 2 pets are welcome! Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges $75/per pet for your entire stay. Yes, we do accept dogs, yet we do ask that you please clean up after them both inside and outside the cabin. Plus, if you allow them on the furniture, we do ask that you please bring your own linens/blankets for them to sleep on. Just let us know which bed you will be using with them, and we'll make sure it is ready for your sheets when you arrive. Plus, if the pet hair starts to build, we do ask that you please run the vacuum. Generally, dogs love the water and places to explore. Pet food does tend to attract mice, so vigilance is needed.

Privacy: Plentiful, secluded

Snowmobiles: a person (resident and nonresident) that operates a snowmobile in Michigan is required to purchase a snowmobile trail permit. The trail permit enables snowmobilers to ride state-designated trails and thousands more miles of public roads and on public lands (where authorized). It is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. State-designated trails are open Dec. 1-March 31 and grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. (Must have a snowmobile trail permit)

Space: Ranch style

Televisions: Small flat screen

Towels: Yes, we provide towels. Please bring your own beach towels to take to the water.

Washer and dryer: Yes, detergent provided.

Wood: Yes(provided)