On Beautiful Whitaker Lake

The Cabin

How to open it, keep it running, and close it up. Every how-to video, written out step by step so you can follow along without watching.

25 topics · 139 written steps · 65 min of video

Now

See who's at the Cabin whenCalendar →

Checklists

Arriving and leaving

Tap each step as you go. Checkmarks stay on your device only, so every family keeps its own. Each step links to its full guide.

Opening up

When you're the first ones in for the season. Check order

Closing up

When you're the last ones out for the season. Check order

Every time you leave

Straight from the “You're Leaving” video.

Topics

Every how-to, by system

Each topic has the video plus the same steps written out with photos, for when you'd rather read than watch.

The cabin's beach and dock with paddleboards on the sand

Leave it better than you found it.

Safety & info

Good to know before you light anything

The cabin runs on propane, wood heat, solar and a propane generator.

If you smell propane

Propane has an added rotten-egg smell so leaks are easy to notice.

  • Don't light anything, flip switches, or use a phone inside.
  • Put out any flames and get everyone outside.
  • If you can do it safely, close the tank valves outside (righty-tighty).
  • From outside, call the propane company or 911.

Turning the propane tanks on & off

Ashes go in the lake

Family rule for the Lodge fireplace and the woodstoves.

  • Ash can hold live embers for days, even when it looks cold.
  • Carry ashes out to the dock and dump them in the lake. Never in the woods.
  • Hang the fireplace broom on a far hook, not the one closest to the fire.

Cleaning out the Lodge fireplace

Carbon monoxide

Propane heaters, the stove, the fridge, the generator and wood fires can all make it.

  • Make sure the CO alarms work when you arrive.
  • Headache, dizziness or nausea in more than one person can mean CO. Get everyone outside and call 911.
  • Never bring a grill or camp stove inside to cook or warm up.

Cabin info

Emergency
Call 911
Address for 911
Kept off this website on purpose. Save it in your phone before you go.
Nearest hospital
Nathan Littauer Hospital, 99 E. State St., Gloversville · (518) 725-8621
Propane refills
Eldrige. Call when either tank gauge reads below 20.
Wi-Fi
Network “Starlink”, no password
Starlink app help
Ron or Luke

No signal?

Get ready before you drive up

The cabin's internet comes from Starlink, and someone has to set it up first. Do these at home.

Written guides

Save this site to your phone

  1. Open this site once while you have signal. Every written guide and photo is then stored on your phone.
  2. On iPhone, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. On Android, tap the menu, then Add to Home screen.
  3. At the cabin, open it from your home screen, even with no signal.

Videos

Download the ones you need

  1. On any topic page, tap Download from Vimeo.
  2. Vimeo lists several file sizes. Pick a smaller one to save space on your phone.
  3. Videos can't be saved automatically like the written guides, so grab them before you go.

Starlink

Log in to the app at home

  1. Download the Starlink app and log in before you leave. You won't have internet to log in once you're there.
  2. Ron and Luke have the login if you need it.

Starlink guide

Checking whether this site is saved for offline…

The lake from above on a clear summer day
Forested ridges and islands around the lake
The lake at dusk