Blackberry Cottage

We're so glad you chose to stay with us.

Welcome to your home away from home, our perfect escape from city life. Relax and unwind in the peaceful surroundings, enjoying the fresh air and local charm.

Whether you’re here to explore the great outdoors, enjoy family time, or simply relax and rejuvenate, we hope you have a wonderful time. Enjoy your stay and make yourself at home. Feel free to message us if you have any questions or need assistance.

Best wishes,

Justin

• Towels & Linens/Bed Sheets, Comforters
• Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash
• Toilet paper in all bathrooms
• Paper towels in the kitchen area
• Pots/pan
• Glasses (Wine + Water) 
• Plates
• Kitchenware
• Coffee (Automatic Drip)
• Salt, pepper, and spices
• Laundry Detergent
• Trash bags
• TV with Streaming

• Address:  14530 Main St, Prattsville, NY 12468, United States

• Supermarket that's well-stocked and only 13 min away

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All your favorite beer available here at your local family owned country store and kitchen.

• Name: Van Dusen’s

• Address: 4021 Route 42, Lexington, NY 12452, USA

• Website: vandusens.com

• Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  
  Supermarket that's well-stocked and only 13 min away

 Google Maps Location: 12 Blackberry Drive, Jewett, NY 12444

To access the property, follow the instructions sent in our pre-arrival message a few days before check-in. Should you have any issues, please send us a message.

Check-in time is 4:00 PM. We can sometimes arrange an early check-in, so please contact us if you plan to arrive early and we'll do our best to accommodate you (unfortunately, we cannot promise this). If you are arriving early, refer to the “local area guide” section and be sure to pick up any groceries or supplies on the way.

If you need to get in touch with us during your stay, the quickest way is via the booking platform message system.

Jewett is a quiet hamlet nestled in Greene County, New York, surrounded by the scenic beauty of the northern Catskill Mountains. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and close proximity to popular outdoor destinations, Jewett offers visitors the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. It’s an ideal base for exploring hiking trails, ski resorts, and charming mountain towns throughout the Catskills region.

Network Name: Blackberry Cottage 2.4 GHz

Password: 12blackberrydrive

Cell service with the major carriers (AT&T, Verizon) is typically present, but feel free to connect to the WiFi and enable WiFi calling.

Our home utilizes a septic system, so we kindly ask that you be mindful of what goes down the drains and toilets. Please dispose of feminine products, wipes, and other paper goods in the waste bins provided, and be mindful of toilet paper usage. This helps prevent clogs and blockages, avoiding unpleasant situations and additional fees. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Extra towels and bedding can be found in the hallway closet near the front door and the bedroom closets.

We have a curated selection of games in the living room. Feel free to enjoy these! We just ask you to keep games organized and tidy for the next player's enjoyment.

Trash bins are located outside on the side of the house by the driveway.

Please ensure all trash, including cardboard, is properly bagged before placing it in these bins on your departure day.

Securing trash in bags and bins is crucial to prevent attracting bears.

This property has a wood stove, not a traditional fireplace. Wood stoves and fireplaces operate very differently. Improper use of this wood stove can result in serious consequences, including house fires and carbon monoxide exposure. Please review all instructions

1. ALWAYS keep top lever UP (bypass open)

2. NO overnight burning - fire OUT before bed

3. When unsure - DON'T use it

Keep UP your entire stay = Simple fireplace mode

• DO NOT move it down

• Pull OUT = More air/heat

• Push IN = Less air/heat

1. Check: Top lever UP, handles OUT

2. Build: Newspaper + kindling, light it, close door

3. Wait 10 min: Let kindling burn

4. Add wood: 2-3 small logs, close door

5. Adjust: After 20 min, push handles IN halfway

• Open door, add 1-2 logs

• Close door, pull handles OUT for 5 min, then adjust

• MAX: 3-4 logs at once

STOP adding wood 2-3 hours before bed

1. Push handles fully IN

2. Let fire burn to ash

3. Verify NO flames, NO red coals before sleeping

❌ Move top lever DOWN ❌ Burn overnight ❌ Leave house with fire burning ❌ Touch stove without gloves ❌ Burn trash, plastic, treated/painted/wet wood ❌ Use gasoline or lighter fluid ❌ Let children near stove

✅ Keep top lever UP ✅ Use dry hardwood only ✅ Fire OUT before bed ✅ Fire OUT before leaving ✅ Keep area 3+ feet clear

USE: Dry hardwood (oak, maple, hickory)

• 24" max length, 2-4" diameter

NEVER: Trash, treated wood, plywood, wet wood, pine cones, chemicals

Cause: Normal when first opening door; weak draft; door opened too quickly

What to Do:

1. Close door immediately

2. Pull both air handles OUT (fully open)

3. Open nearby windows slightly for cross-ventilation

4. Wait 5 minutes for chimney draft to strengthen

5. If smoke continues, let fire burn out and call host

This is usually not an emergency - just poor draft conditions

Signs: Cast iron glowing red or orange; excessive heat radiating

What to Do:

1. DO NOT PANIC

2. DO NOT OPEN DOOR

3. DO NOT ADD WATER

4. Push both air handles fully IN (closed)

5. Leave the room

6. Monitor from doorway or through window

7. Call 911 if metal continues glowing red for more than 10 minutes

8. Let fire burn down naturally

Metal glowing = approximately 1000°F+ and dangerous

Signs:

• Loud roaring sound (like freight train or airplane)

• Excessive heat from stovepipe

• Flames or sparks shooting from chimney top

• Rumbling or vibrating sounds

What to Do:

1. Close stove door immediately

2. Push both air handles fully IN (closed)

3. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY - This is a true emergency

4. EVACUATE THE HOUSE

5. Do not return until fire department clears the property

6. Do not attempt to fight chimney fire yourself

Possible Causes & Solutions:

• Not enough paper/kindling → Use more paper, smaller kindling pieces

• Air handles not open → Pull both handles fully OUT

• Wet wood → Use only dry, seasoned wood

• Cold chimney/weak draft → Try opening window slightly to create draft

Solution:

• This is NORMAL when opening door

• Open door slowly

• Wait a moment before opening fully

• Pull air handles OUT before opening

• Means chimney draft is weak - open window slightly

Solutions:

• Pull both air handles OUT more

• Add another log (don't overload)

• Verify top lever is UP

• Use larger diameter wood

• Use hardwood instead of softwood

Solutions:

• Push both air handles IN more

• Stop adding wood

• Let fire burn down before adding more

• Use smaller pieces of wood next time

Solutions:

• Use larger diameter wood pieces

• Don't close air handles too much too soon

• Add wood more frequently (every 1-2 hours)

• Ensure wood is dry and seasoned

• Build better coal bed before adding large logs

We're delighted to offer you a cozy outdoor hot tub to enhance your stay!

To set the temperature to your liking, simply press the "+" or "-" buttons. If you're in the mood for a bubbly experience, just press the Jets button. Once it’s heated up, feel free to unwind and soak away the day's adventures!

1. No Diving or Jumping: For everyone's safety, no diving, jumping, or standing on the edge of the hot tub.
2. Cover When Not in Use: Kindly ensure the cover is put back on when the hot tub is not in use to keep the water warm and clean.
3. Age Restrictions: Children under 16 must be supervised at all times. Infants and toddlers are not allowed in the hot tub.
4. Shower Before Use: Please rinse off before entering to keep water clean and reduce the need for extra chemicals.
5. No Glassware: Use plastic cups or provided drinkware—glass can break and create a hazard in and around the hot tub.
6. Limit Time in the Hot Tub: Please limit your time to 15-20 minutes per session to avoid overheating.
7. No Food or Alcohol: Avoid food and limit alcohol consumption in the hot tub for safety reasons.
8. No Soap, Oils, or Lotions: These can damage the hot tub and affect water balance.

1. Fuel Check

   • Ensure the propane tank is adequately filled. A full 20 lb tank will feel heavy when lifted.

2. Connection Check

   • Make sure the grill hose is securely connected to the propane tank by screwing it on tightly.

3. Safety First

   • Only use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area.

   • Keep it away from porches, gazebos, or any covered structure.

   • Do not leave the grill unattended while in use.

1. Open the lid of the grill.

2. Fully open the propane tank valve located on top of the tank (turn it counterclockwise).

3. Light the burners:

   • Turn the first burner knob to the “Light” position.

   • Press the ignitor button until it lights.

   • If the ignitor doesn’t work, use a long BBQ lighter. Insert it through the side access points or directly through the grates to the burners.

   • Important: If the gas doesn’t ignite immediately, turn off the gas and wait for a few minutes to let it dissipate before trying again.

4. Once lit, close the lid and let the grill preheat for 10–15 minutes before cooking.
   
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There is seating at the fire pit and on the deck. Cushions are located in the living room behind the sofa. Please store cushions inside before you leave, and in the event of inclement weather.

You may experience snow flurries and the occasional heavy snow accumulation during winter stays. The driveway is plowed automatically once enough snow has accumulated. A snow shovel can be found on the porch, and rock salt for icy conditions on the deck, walkways, or driveway.

Local roads are plowed regularly; roads may be impassable for a few hours during storms. If you don’t have winter driving experience, please take extra care at night and in below-freezing conditions. 

Be careful walking on the decks and walkways in icy conditions.

When booking a house in the countryside, surrounded by lush nature and a nearby national wildlife reserve, it’s important to be prepared for encounters with various wildlife. In the evenings, you may notice an abundance of insects, some of which occasionally find their way indoors. Be cautious with open windows and doors. Additionally, food smells often attract black bears and are known for their curiosity. It’s best to avoid leaving food unattended on decks, porches, or grills, as bears have been known to investigate and even open unlocked cars in search of snacks.

Enjoy the cozy outdoor firepit— a perfect spot to relax, unwind, and take in the fresh mountain air under the stars.

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1. Please no smoking of any kind inside the house.
2. Please confine any open fires to the fire pit provided for your enjoyment, per NYS burning regulations. Please ensure that a fire is never left unattended and any fire is fully extinguished.
3. Enjoy grilling, but clean grill after use
4. Please do not play music outside after 9 pm as sound can travel and disturb neighbors.
5. Due to fire risk, please no EV charging.
6. To keep the home clean for future guests, please remove shoes inside the home

Please no smoking of any kind inside the house, including vaping.

We understand that sometimes accidents happen! Should you break anything please let us know immediately so we can replace it for the next guest. Thank you!

In case of a fire

• Exit the property as quickly as possible
• Ensure that all persons are accounted for
• Dial 911

For emergency services, call 911. Do not delay if you feel an emergency situation has arisen. State your location as 12 Blackberry Drive.

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The Hudson Valley & Catskill region offers fantastic hiking & outdoor adventures, but it's important to be aware of ticks. Here's how to enjoy the outdoors safely:

Before You Hit the Trails:

• Dress Smart: Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes. Tuck your pants into socks for an extra barrier.
• Repel Ticks: Choose an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET (20% or higher for adults, 10% or lower for children) and follow directions carefully.
• Be Tick-Savvy: Learn about tick habitats and avoid brushing against tall grass and brush where ticks are more common.

While You Hike:

• Stay on the Path: Sticking to the trail reduces your contact with tick-infested areas.
• Do Quick Checks: Throughout your hike, take a moment to scan your clothes and exposed skin for ticks.

After Your Adventure:

• Shower ASAP: A hot shower within 2 hours of being outdoors can help wash away unattached ticks.
• Full Body Check: Carefully examine yourself, children, and pets for ticks, paying close attention to warm, moist areas.

• Distance: Located in Windham, NY

• Description: A premier ski resort featuring 54 trails, 11 lifts, and a vertical drop of 1,600 feet. In warmer months, enjoy mountain biking, scenic sky rides, and the Adventure Park with zip lines and go-karts.

A community-driven gallery featuring works by local artists. The gallery hosts rotating exhibitions and art events, fostering a vibrant arts scene in the area.

Day Trips in the Hudson Valley & Catskills by Hudson Valley Magazine

Hudson Valley Magazine Event Calendar

• Address: 5639 NY-23, Windham, NY 12496, USA

• Phone: (518) 734-5353

• Website: chickenrunwindham.com

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• Address: 7883 Main Street, Hunter, NY 12442

• Phone: (518) 628-5216

• Website: fellowmountaincafe.com

• Typical Hours: Open daily from around 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  
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• Address: 55 NY-296, Windham, NY 12496, USA

• Phone: (518) 734-4290

• Type: Italian and steakhouse, offering dishes such as rigatoni Bolognese, veal marsala, fresh seafood, and steaks
  
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• Address: 13 Scribner Hollow Rd, Hunter, NY 12442

• Phone: (518) 628-5150

• Website: scribnerslodge.com (restaurant: Prospect at Scribner’s)

• Address: 39 Goshen Rd, Hensonville, NY 12439

• Phone: (518) 734-4160

• Website: matildacatskills.com

• Email: info@matildacatskills.com

• Typical Dinner Hours: Bar opens around 5:00 PM; dinner served Wednesday–Sunday from about 5:30

 A cozy local restaurant offering American cuisine with a selection of spirits. It’s known for its laid-back atmosphere and is a great spot for a casual meal.

Check-out time is 11 am sharp. If you require a later check-out, we’ll do our best to accommodate it if arranged in advance.

Before your departure, we’d appreciate if you would assist with a few items:

• Beds: It’s ok to leave beds unmade.
• Towels: Leave all used towels in a bathroom.
• Dishes: Please clean up any dirty dishes and start the dishwasher.
• Trash: Please bag any trash and place it in the garbage bins.
• Turn Things off: Ensure you turn off the stove, lights, and TV. Log out of any streaming services on the TV.
• Furniture: Return furniture to the location found.

Thank you for trusting us to host your getaway. We hope your stay was truly memorable. Your feedback is extremely important to us as we continually strive to enhance our hospitality. If there were any concerns or opportunities for improvement during your visit, please let us know. We review all feedback and take action based on your comments.