TREETOPS MOUNTAIN LODGE
"OWNER'S MANUAL"
(REVISED January 29, 2015)
The following is a detailed list of important issues and answers to questions Treetops members might have
regarding ownership and a stay at Treetops. While this may seem to be a great deal of information, it is
intended only as a guide for each Member's use, reference, and enjoyment of the property. Our number one
purpose will always be to ENJOY TREETOPS...so don't be intimidated by all the details.
Please remember, each member is sharing Treetops with other members, who are equal partners in the
group. Therefore, it is extremely important that each member leave the house in the same clean and
attractive condition in which it was found upon your arrival. If you find things that need to be addressed,
please email the Property Manager.... Ben Parrish at [email protected].
In case of any maintenance problems during your stay, here is a list of "Whom to call for what" and it is posted
on the bulletin board, by the computer. If a problem occurs and there is no contact on the board, please call
Ben Parrish at 706-746-7411 or Cell 912-536-2200 or email him at [email protected].
When calling any of these folks, you should always identify yourself as calling from TreeTops Lodge at 184
Spring Lake Dr. Dillard, GA 30537.
Plumber: David Smith Plumbing, Off: 706-782-5800 Cell: 706-490-2156
HVAC: Freddie Webb Heating, Off: 782-1703 Cell: 706-244-2065
Telephone: Frontier Repair Service: 1-877-462-8188
Power: Haywood EMC: 1-828-452-2281 1-800-951-6088
HouseKeeping: Ana Barnett 706-212-8315 (Cell)
An extra copy of this manual will be kept in a notebook, at Treetops Mountain Lodge.
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Address/Phone Numbers-The actual physical address of the house is;
Treetops Mountain Lodge
184 Spring Lake Dr
Scaly Mountain, NC 28775
Phone (828) 787-1539
SPRING LAKE Home Owners Association-Since our property is a part of the Spring Lake, all guests are also
obliged to abide by the covenants protecting and restricting the subdivision. As a result of this shared
ownership, our members are entitled to fish and use a canoe on Spring Lake, as well as share the walking trails
or open areas on the entire area. For a more detailed description of the rights, obligations, and responsibilities
we have by being a member of SL, there is a complete set of SL Restrictive Covenants in the "Owners Manual"
on the desk at the computer.
PETS- Absolutely NO PETS of any kind at the lodge.
To be fair to folks who don't like pets and those who do, the answer was unanimous not to allow pets, of any
kind, in TreeTops Lodge. We all love pets ... but not in our Lodge. TreeTops floors are beautiful, natural pine
and we want to keep them looking great for all of our owners and guests.
Smoking- NO SMOKING inside the lodge. A lot of folks are allergent to tobacco smoke and it really makes the
house smell rank. Smoke all you wish on the porches, but do not throw your butts over the railing on the
ground below.
House keys-In the original documents package you received a key to the house was included. The same key
fits all the doors. If you make copies of the key you received in this package, make sure you include this
original key, which I have personally tested to be sure it works, when you make your first visit to TT, just to
make sure you can unlock the door. Sometimes copies of copies may not work very well. Initially there will
also be a spare key "in the lock box next to the front door". Be sure to put it back after it is used!!!!! Since
there will be no other spare keys left on the property, members will have to call a locksmith if they forget to
bring a key for their arrival. The closest one is Lock Busters in Clayton … 706-746-2188.
Basement TV/CD/VCR- All programming is on DIRECTV satellite.
Great Room TV/CD operation-In order to enjoy digital TV and music in the Great Room, the TV must be set to
channel AV1 or AV2 and then you can use the remote for the digital box to select digital TV viewing or music
channels. All programming is on DIRECTV satellite.
Lamp timers-Arriving guests will notice there are several lamp timers, set to go on and off at different times of
the day and night. These were installed to conserve electricity and to give the appearance there is someone
occupying the house at all times. Please do not change the times at which they are presently set.
Travel brochures & Games-In the lower drawers of the great room secretary, guests will find many books,
pamphlets and brochures about Highlands and the surrounding areas. Please enjoy these resources and add
additional information you think might be interesting to your fellow co-owners and guests. Also guests will
find several games and puzzles in the Basement TV cabinet. Please enjoy using them and feel free to add
others, if you would like.
Picture frames, album, guest book-Members will find several picture frames and a photo album on tables and
shelves around the house. Please add a picture of your family or experiences taken during your stay at TT to
any available frames and/or the albums found on the coffee table in the Great Room. Not only does this make
the house more personal, it also allows everyone an opportunity to "meet" the other members and their
families.
Ping-pong/Pool table -In the basement you will find a new, ping pong table tabletop, which fits on top of the
pool table. Paddles and other supplies are stored in a basket in the basement. When not in use or upon
departure, please remove and store the ping pong table top and cover the pool table with the table cover.
Book/VCR/CD/DVD use and replacement-You will find books, VCR tapes, CD's and DVD's available for your use
during your stay. If would like to add to our library, please feel free to do so. And, if you happen to start a book
and need to take it with you when you leave, please replace it with another book or UPS it back to the camp
when you have finished reading it.
TREETOPS Bedding-Since TT's bylaws do not allow more than 10 occupants over nighting in the house at any
given time, available bedding arrangements are as follows………
*Master bedroom (2 adults)-upper floor King bed w/ private bath
*Bunk bedroom (2 adults/children)-two twin bunk beds
*Double Queen Bed room (4 adults)-main floor-2 queen beds
*Canopy Queen Bed room (2 adults)-main floor-queen bed w/ shared bath
There are two sets of sheets for each bed. All linens are labeled as to which room they belong. Please make
sure to keep matching sheets together and returned to the chest in the bedroom in which they will be used
before you depart, since our housekeeping service will not have time to do laundry during the time they are
on site to clean the house. Please do not take any sheets or linens away from TreeTops to clean and return.
This causes a shortage of linens for the next guest and becomes very confusing as to where these missing
items are located.
Outside grill. Use of the grill is fairly standard; although the automatic ignition does work well ... it sometimes
may have to be lit manually by inserting a match in the small hole on the bottom of the grill. If you are using
the grill and run out of gas, it can be refilled at Reeves Hardware in Dillard and charged to the Ben
Parrish/TreeTops account. Also, if you use the grill, please remember to include it on your "cleanup list" upon
your departure.
SEPTIC & Trash: All trash must be taken to the recycle center on US 441 South in Rabun Gap … two miles south
of Dillard. Turn left on Kellys Creek Rd at the Rabun Gap Post Office. There is a traffic light where you turn.
Because our septic system is privately maintained, please remember to only flush items which are
biodegradable and do not pour grease down the drain. Should the alarm sound on the septic system lift pump
or if you have plumbing problems, please call David Smith Plumbing at 706-782-5800 in Clayton.
A/C, Heat, and Ceiling Fans- Summer nights in the Sky Valley area are cool. If you open the windows at night,
there is a great cross breeze, not to mention enjoying the beautiful sounds of the creek outside. The heating
for the house is a heat pump system installed beneath the floor. Should you need service while you are at TT,
please call "Freddie Webb Heating & AC" at 706-782-1703 and their phone number is on each thermostat.
Suggested thermostat settings are located on a small plaque under each thermostat. Upon your departure,
please set each thermostat as the plaque indicates.
Fireplace use/firewood-Since it is against the neighborhood covenants to store large amounts of firewood
outside at the Spring Lakes, our wood has been stored in a storage area on the side porch. It is the
responsibility of each member to insure there will be adequate firewood available for the next guests. Jason
Emery will be supplying the firewood for TreeTops. He requests a two-day advance notice, if possible, when
more wood is needed. Please request some of the wood be "seasoned", if possible. The cost of the wood is
included in our monthly dues. His phone number is posted on the bulletin board in the computer alcove.
Before using the fireplace, MAKE SURE THE DAMPER IS OPEN BY PULLING IT IN THE DOWN POSITION!!!!!!!!!
The damper should always remain closed when the fireplace is not in use in order to stop large amounts of
Great Room heat from escaping when the fireplace is not being used. Upon departure, guests should leave the
fireplace clean and the damper closed (pushed up).
SPECIAL NOTE: PLEASE, DO NOT USE THE HOUSE VACUUM CLEANER TO CLEAN OUT THE
FIREPLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AN ASH CAN IS STORED NEXT TO THE FIREWOOD ON THE OUTSIDE PORCH FOR THIS
PURPOSE. Ashes should be placed in a plastic bag and carried to the dump with your garbage.
Storage lockers- Each member owns private 6-feet tall by 24-inch wide storage locker in the basement.
Remember not to store items which can freeze. Lockers are numbered one through ten, to correspond with
each member's rotation number, assigned when each share was purchased. Small locks can be purchased in
Dillard (at Reeves Ace Hardware) to secure your locker. Please make sure to use only your share number
locker.
Fishing-Yes, there are fish to be caught in the lake. Don't forget you will need a Georgia License to fish in the
lake, even if it is only for one day. Call "Reeves Ace Hardware in Dillard" (706-746-7414) for obtaining licenses.
Mail- We currently do not have the ability to receive the U.S. Mail at TT. If you need to send mail, you must go
to the post office in town…. Scaley, NC or Dillard, Ga. UPS and Fed Ex can deliver directly to the house.
Curtains-Several members have asked about how to leave the blinds and curtains when they depart. The
consensus seems to be to leave the blinds and curtains open when members depart at the end of their stay.
This way the house looks much nicer when the next guests arrive and the house will collect solar heat from
the windows during the day in the winter.
Computer/phone/fax-TT's computer is a Dell and is operated on a Windows XP platform.
There is NO cell phone service in and around the property, so we were able to subscribe to a phone package
with Verizon which allows a limited amount of long distance calls per month (500 minutes) at no extra cost.
This will be convenient to member/guests making long distance calls or sending faxes. However, remember
our free L/D calls are limited so, please use this service sparingly.
Hand tools-For simple maintenance around the house, there are a few tools in the basement locker room
area. Feel free to use these tools to perform simple maintenance, if it will prevent a service call and save us
money.
First aid/sewing kit-A first aid and a small sewing kit is available in the upper cabinet, in the kitchen. If you use
an item, replace it for the next guests.
Web site-Don't forget to use our TT web site at www.treetopsmountianlodge.com. It is a great source of
information about the Lodge, Highlands, Dillard and the surrounding area. Suggestions or comments from
members to make the site more useful are always welcomed.
General housekeeping- IT CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH THAT TREETOPS IS NOT A HOTEL. Although there is
a preferred cleaning service to come in at the end of each stay, it is the member's responsibility to insure the
house was cleaned and everything was left in good working order for the next arriving guests. On
Wednesdays, check out should always be on or before 2:00 PM and check-in should never be before 4:00 PM.
CLEANING/HOUSEKEEPING MUST BE DONE BY OUR PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE
Ana Barnett is our contract housekeeping service. She has agreed to clean the Lodge for $100.00 per visit She
is presently scheduled to clean TT ONLY on Wednesday evening. Each guest must personally speak to her
during or before their stay each week in order to confirm their needs for cleaning services.
Please understand you must notify Ana at least the Monday before the Wednesday she is to clean for you.
The TT executive committee has recommended each member/guest leave a check, made out to "Ana Barnett"
in the amount of $100 on the kitchen bar before they depart ... along with a completed check-out list. Also,
please remember, if the member is not in residence and the house is used by a guest, it is their responsibility
to confirm by phone that the house was cleaned.
For the convenience of the members, a housekeeping "check-out" list is included in this manual, with
duplicate copies found on the web site and on the TT computer, titled "TT Departure List". Items in red are
services Ana will do and items in black are the responsibility of the departing member/guest. Please leave a
completed and checked copy of your checkout sheet on the kitchen bar, in case arriving Guests have cleaning
questions upon their arrival.
Phone Numbers for Anna: Cell 706- 212-8315
Please make cleaning checks out to: Ana M Barnett
TREETOPS
DEPARTURE CLEANING LIST
(HOUSEKEEPING performs SERVICES in RED ONLY)
Water Cutoff Switch: We have installed an electric water cutoff/on switch in the utility room in
the basement. When you arrive, you must turn the switch to the ON position in order to open the water
valve. No one will have to remind you to turn this on. You will also need to turn the ice maker in the frig on.
Upon your departure, you must turn the switch to the OFF position. This helps prevent any flooding should
a pipe burst during the times the house is not occupied. Also be sure to turn the ice maker OFF before
turning the water off.
Water Heater Cutoff:
Please open the electrical panel by the washer/dryer and turn the HEATER
switch to the ON position when your arrive. The before departing, turn the switch to the OFF position so
that power is not consumed while the house is vacant.
Ice Maker Cutoff:
Upon arrival, be sure to turn on the ice maker in the fridge. Then before
departing please make sure to turn off the ice make. If left on with no water supply to it ... it will freeze
over and will not work when the next guest arrives to turn on.
BEARS AND RACCOONS VISIT THE PORCH AT NIGHT - DO NOT LEAVE GARBAGE OUTSIDE
A/C, HEAT, CEILING FANS
_____RESET THERMOSTATS (Detail settings for winter 58 degrees and summer 78 degrees loft setting should
be 2 degrees higher in winter and 2 degrees lower in summer)
____AT LEAST ONE CEILING FAN IN EACH ROOM SHOULD BE LEFT ON LOW SPEED
_____IF YOU HAVE A FIRE IN THE GREAT ROOM, DO NOT TURN ON THE CEILING FANS NOR THE HEAT/AC. THIS
CAN CAUSE THE FIREPLACE TO SMOKE SLIGHTLY. YOUR MAY ALSO NEED TO CRACK THE KITCHEN WINDOW
FOR FRESH COMBUSTION AIR FOR THE FIREPLACE.
DEN/GREAT ROOM_____DUST FURNITURE AND TABLES
_____VACUUM AND DAMP MOP PINE FLOORS
_____VACUUM RUGS
_____WIPE OUT WINDOW SILLS
_____DUST OFF SHELVES
_____CLEAN OUT AND RESTACK FIREPLACE FOR FUTURE FIRE
_____REPLACE LIGHT BULBS, IF NECESSARY (BULBS IN LOWER LEFT KITCHEN DRAWER AND CABINET)
_____MAKE SURE F/P DAMPER IS CLOSED
KITCHEN_____WIPE OFF STOVE AND MICROWAVE HOOD
_____CLEAN REFRIGERATOR AND WIPE OFF INTERIOR SHELVES
_____CLEAN OFF COUNTER TOPS AND SINK
_____"EN DUST" OR DAMP MOP PINE FLOORS
_____VACUUM RUGS
_____CLEAN AND EMPTY COFFEE POT
_____LEAVE A FULL ROLL OF PAPER TOWELS FOR ARRIVING GUESTS
_____EMPTY DISHWASHER AND PUT DISHES IN CABINETS
_____EMPTY TRASH CAN
_____DO NOT LEAVE ANY UNOPENED FOOD ITEMS IN REFRIGERATOR
_____REPLACE USED CLEANING SUPPLIES, IF NECESSARY
_____LEAVE CHECKED-OFF DEPARTURE LIST ON BAR FOR ARRIVING GUESTS
COMPUTER ALCOVE
_____ VACUUM AND DAMP MOP FLOORS
_____MAKE SURE COMPUTER, MONITOR AND PRINTER ARE OFF AND AREA IS LEFT NEAT AND TIDY
_____EMPTY TRASH BASKETS
UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS STAIRS & HALLWAYS_____ VACUUM AND DAMP MOP ALL STAIRS AND HALLWAYS
MAIN FLOOR BEDROOMS- (3)
_____ VACUUM AND DAMP MOP FLOORS
_____DUST FURNITURE
_____CLEAN OUT WINDOW SILLS
_____CLEAN MIRRORS
_____CHECK UNDER BEDS FOR FOOD AND MISPLACED ITEMS
_____EMPTY TRASH BASKETS
_____PUT CLEAN SHEETS IN THE CHESTS OF THE B/R FROM WHICH THEY CAME
MAIN FLOOR BATHROOMS- (1 - 1/2)
_____ VACUUM AND DAMP MOP FLOORS
_____SHAKEOUT BATHROOMS RUGS
_____CLEAN SINK, TOILET, AND SHOWER
_____CLEAN MIRRORS
_____EMPTY TRASH BASKETS
_____LEAVE AT LEAST ONE ROLL OF TOILET PAPER IN EACH BATHROOM
_____REPLACE ANY CLEANING SUPPLIES, IF NECESSARY
_____ALL LINENS CLEANED AND RETURNED TO THE BATHROOM
MASTER/LOFT BEDROOM_____VACUUM BEDROOM
_____DUST FURNITURE
_____CLEAN OUT WINDOW SILLS
_____CLEAN MIRRORS
_____CHECK UNDER BEDS FOR FOOD AND MISPLACED ITEMS
_____EMPTY TRASH BASKETS
_____ PUT CLEAN SHEETS IN THE CHESTS OF THE B/R FROM WHICH THEY CAME
MASTER BATHROOM_____ VACUUM AND DAMP MOP FLOORS
_____SHAKEOUT BATHROOMS RUGS
_____CLEAN SINK, TOILET, AND SHOWER
_____CLEAN MIRRORS
_____EMPTY TRASH BASKETS
_____LEAVE AT LEAST ONE ROLL OF TOILET PAPER IN EACH BATHROOM
_____REPLACE ANY CLEANING SUPPLIES, IF NECESSARY
_____ALL LINENS CLEANED AND RETURNED TO THE BATHROOM
BASEMENT DEN -THEATER- POOL ROOM
_____VACUUM CARPET
_____DUST FURNITURE
_____DUST WINDOW SILLS
_____EMPTY ALL TRASH BASKETS
_____STRAIGHTEN TAPES/DVD/VCR TAPES
_____MAKE SURE ALL CONTROLS ARE LEFT IN BASKET ON COFFEE TABLE
_____TURN OFF COMPONENTS TO TV AND PROJECTOR
LAUNDRY ROOM_____WIPE OFF DRYER AND WASHING MACHINE
_____CLEAN OUT LINT FROM DRYER
_____EMPTY TRASH CAN
_____REPLACE USED CLEANING SUPPLIES, IF NECESSARY
BASEMENT BATHROOM_____ VACUUM AND DAMP MOP FLOORS
_____SHAKE OUT BATHROOMS RUG
_____CLEAN SINK, TOILET SHOWER/TUB
_____CLEAN MIRROR
_____EMPTY TRASH BASKET
_____LEAVE AT LEAST ONE ROLL OF TOILET PAPER
_____REPLACE ANY CLEANING SUPPLIES, IF NECESSARY
_____ALL LINENS CLEANED AND RETURNED TO THE BATHROOM
OUTSIDE_____BLOW OFF/SWEEP PORCHES/DECKS (BLOWER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA)
_____CLEAN GRILL RACKS, IF IT HAS BEEN USED DURING YOUR STAY
_____IF FIREWOOD IS LOW, CALL FOR REFILL OF THE FIREWOOD RACK
_____LOCK ALL DOORS
_____REMOVE ALL GARBAGE UPON YOUR DEPARTURE.
______BEFORE departure, you must turn the water switch AND ice maker to the OFF position
CLEANING DONE BY:______________________________________DATE______________
MEMBER/GUEST IN RESIDENCE:____________________________DATE______________
SPECIAL NOTES of things that need attention: