What’s New
Our remodeling project in cottage #6 is progressing nicely. Some walls have disappeared and it is now a 1 bedroom with a larger living area. The dropped ceiling was removed and large windows installed in both gables making for lots of light and a beautiful view of the tree tops. The new floors are completed and the bathroom has a new ceramic shower. There’s an enamel gas fireplace to keep you warm on those cool spring and fall days. If anyone knows where we can find an old farmhouse style kitchen sink, please let us know! The kitchen has a new knotty pine cabinet and we are planning to add a ceramic counter top. We may even replace the “Party Palace” sign with a “Love Shack” one!
About Oakapiney
We did a lot more than we thought we would when we purchased the property in late 2003. The main house has been completely renovated and is proving to be our comfortable home away from home. Each of the cottages was updated in early 2004, a few were re-roofed and plumbing was carefully renovated. Rentals by old friends, family and previous renters tested each of the cottages throughout the summer and fall. We’ve replaced all of the old septic tanks and fields to ensure environmental friendliness and increase capacity for our users.
The six cottages at the Oakapiney were built in the 1940’s and are scattered throughout the oak and pine woods all with a view of Lake Huron and within 200 feet of our sandy beach. The cabins are fully functional with atmosphere provided by knotty pine and views of the lake and entertainment provided by a board game, deck of cards or a novel. The cottages front on Thunder Bay providing miles of unobstructed, perfectly sandy beaches. The water is calm, clear and nearly free from powerboats. Feel free to fish from the shore. You won’t catch anything, but you will look marvelous and your lure won’t get snagged on any rocks.
The drive from Ann Arbor or Detroit is about 3 ½ hours with the last 2 hours on old US-23 with many glimpses of the lake along the way. The final ½ hour of the drive, north of Harrisville, is through rolling hills and the Huron National Forest with no stoplights until you reach Ossineke..
The Ossineke area is similar to the Oakapiney in that it is fully functional but little change from the previous years. Breakfast at Connie’s, groceries at the IGA and the restaurants Wagon Wheel Bar and Rosa’s Lookout Inn
Alpena is 7 miles north of the Oakapiney just north of the 45th parallel and while not as overdeveloped as some areas of the state, it fulfills every need not found in Ossineke including two movie theaters, a marina, the Thunder Bay River with a beautiful river walk and fishing from shore, a great maritime museum and world class shipwreck diving in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Alpena has fast food and big box stores, malls, antique stores, coffee shops and renowned first class hospital facilities.
