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The Blue View Lodge in Monterey Virginia
A comfortable country cottage close to town.
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Air conditioned in summer
50″ Roku TV (with guest mode – use all you own streaming services)
Bluray DVD player with dozens of old favorites.

Air conditioned in summer.

This room is a great bonus room for dining, playing games, music and just having another space to be yourself.
It has a bookcase full of board games and puzzles.
And another bookcase with a collection of about 70 DVDs, including some great classic TV country-folk sitcoms in tune with the Monterey spirit, like Beverly Hillbillies, Mr. Ed, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres.
There are is also a handy display of brochures from local attractions, as well as menus from local restaurants.

All bedrooms are air conditioned in summer.

Downstairs bedroom, with queen size bed, dresser, vanity table, bedside phone chargers.

Lower Bedroom

Upstairs bedroom with double bed, dresser, garment rack, Bring your own computer station/desk
Bedside wireless/USB-C phone charging lamps.

Bunkroom with double-size bunks,
dresser, clothes rail, table fan.
Bedside wireless/USB-C phone charging lamps

A fun, inviting kitchen to cook, to hang out and to eat.
6 stools fit under the counter, out of the way or there when you need them.
Good appliances – Maytag dishwasher, stove, microwave and fridge.
Full set of stainless steel cookware with a couple of non-stick frying pans as well.
Ample equipment and tableware for food prep and dining.
Pretty good knives and sharpener.
A generous coffee and tea station with Keurig, French Press, drip coffee options.

Washer / Dryer, detergent, iron, ironing board. All you need if you care to stay spiffy.
The full length mirror can be moved anywhere in the house.

Two bathrooms
One downstairs with large walk in shower.
One upstairs with tub/shower.

Shampoo and soap provided

Sit a spell.
Have a cup of coffee on us. Or enjoy your own heartier libation.
Enjoy a fire (Firewood and starters provided).
Play some cornhole.
Picnic.
You will see some birds, and you might see some deer, rabbits and chipmunks.
A couple of sturdy Adirondack chairs and several folding camping chairs with built-in trays are provided.

Cornhole

Firewood provided

New – Front Rail added

Inspiring view on the edge of town

  • Beautiful mountain backdrop.
  • Stroll into town in just 5 minutes.

  • Backyard frequented by deer, chipmunks, rabbits and birds.
  • Firepit with firewood provided.
  • Cornhole set.
  • Outdoor seating
    • 2 Adirondack chairs in yard,
    • 2 Rocking chairs on front porch,
    • 4 Folding camp chairs with trays for use wherever you like.
    • Picnic table

  • Smart TV: 50-inch HDTV Roku with soundbar.
    • Note: Bring your streaming credentials
      (usernames/passwords)
      to take advantage of Roku Guest Mode
      and watch all your own channels.
  • Bose stereo music unit in the sunroom with Bluetooth, CD, and radio.
  • Board games & puzzles
  • BluRay DVD player and DVDs
    • Dozens of popular movies and TV shows
    • Including some kid-oriented movies, and classic TV shows with the Highland spirit –
      Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Mr. Ed, Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith

  • Recently updated
  • New cabinets, butcher-block counters.
  • Large island, with 6 stools that can tuck under it.
  • More dining spaces too —
    • Dining room / sun room with 4 chairs
    • Picnic Table

  • Keurig & pods
  • Drip coffee maker & ground coffee
  • French press system & whole beans, with Bodum stainless French press, kettle, and grinder.
  • Thermal carafe.
  • Sugar, Splenda and Coffee Mate
  • Tea bags

  • Maytag refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, electric glass-top stove, and microwave oven.
  • Stainless steel pots & pans and a couple of non-stick frying pans, food prep tools.
  • Dishes, silverware, wine glasses.
  • Knives, knife sharpener.
  • Paper towels, napkins and placemats

  • 3 Bedrooms – 1 with queen size, 1 with double and 1 bunkbed with 2 full size bunks.
  • Good quality all cotton bed linens.
  • Bedside USB-C phone charging lamps (including wireless charging by upstairs beds)
  • Extra pillows, blankets, and hangers provided
  • Dressers and ample clothing hanging space in all bedrooms.

  • Full tub/shower (upstairs).
  • Large walk in shower (downstairs).
  • Good quality all cotton towels and washcloths
  • Shampoo, body soap, hand soap and ample TP provided.
  • Hair dryer

  • Good Cell Coverage and WiFi
  • Dedicated Workspace: Our “Bring Your Own Computer Station”
    • Desk and chair in upstairs bedroom
    • Monitor, mouse, keyboard, webcam
    • Connects with single USB-C cable (provided).

  • Window AC units
    • In all bedrooms and main living area in summer.
    • Note: Not in kitchen, laundry or bathrooms
  • Fans
    • Ceiling fans in kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms
    • Portable fan in bunkroom.
  • Central heating system
    • Auxiliary electric wall mounted heaters

  • Maytag front loading washer and dryer
  • Detergent & dryer sheets provided
  • Iron, ironing board.
  • Full length mirror, which can be moved to other rooms.

  • Smoke alarm with carbon monoxide detectors
  • First aid kit.
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Electric lanterns, and battery power station for keeping phones charged in case of power outage.

The Blue View is not kid-proofed.

I’m happy that kids will enjoy Highland County from the Blue View. I began coming to Highland County as child from the city, camping and hiking and exploring a whole new magical world.  I know what a treat it is for kids, and what a joy to see it again through their eyes.  

You should know though, that there are not special accommodations for very young children here.  There is no special furniture, no stair gates, no child-proofing or toys. 

BYO extras and good sense.

I’ve had some folks stay who had some accessibility concerns.

Outside there are two steps up to the front porch, with a stair rail. The back porch has about 6 steps, with a stair rail.

Inside, there’s one bedroom downstairs with a queen bed, and a bath downstairs has a walk in shower.

Upstairs are two bedrooms up a staircase – one has a bunk bed (with two double mattresses) and the other has full size bed.

The upstairs bath has a tub/shower.

The doorways may not be wide enough for wheelchairs.

This is an old country home. Highland County is much more rural than urban, and though we try very hard to prevent it, occasionally a mouse will make its way into the house. This has been rare, maybe a couple of times a year, and only once has a guest encountered one (knock on wood.) When it happens my we will handle it ASAP. But if the prospect of possibly seeing a mouse is a deal breaker, which it understandably is for some folks, this may not be the house for your trip.

USING GPS:

216 Potomac River Rd, Monterey, Virginia
(note GPS may not connect over the mountains. It’s ok once in town).

Look for the Blue View sign at the roadside, turn into driveway.

OLD SCHOOL DIRECTIONS:

Potomac River Road is VA Rte 220.

From the South on 220, the house is 1/4 mile up from Main Street, (US 250.)
Turn RIGHT into the driveway at the Blue View sign.

From the North on 220, you will see the green sign “Monterey Corporate Limit”.
Turn LEFT into the driveway at the Blue View sign.

Park anywhere in the driveway. Right by the porch is fine.

Easy parking – right to the front walk.

Blue View House Rules

No Pets:  No pets permitted anywhere on the property

No Smoking & Tobacco

  • No smoking inside the house.  (no smoking anything). Use ashtrays outside.
  • No chewing tobacco inside the house – nothing that requires spitting. 

Parking:  Park only in driveway. No driving anywhere on property except in driveway. 

Guest Limit: No more than 6 overnight guests.

No loud parties or late night noise outside.  Please respect our neighbors – there are not many nearby but they have regular hours and we try to be good neighbors.

Firepit – Put out the fire thoroughly before leaving the firepit area unattended.  Please keep fires small, no large bonfires. A fire bucket is provided.

Moving furniture and other objects – Please do not move any furniture around within the house. Do not remove any art or mirror or other items from the walls. (Except- Feel free to move the camping and folding chairs and kitchen stools as you like, just move them back. Also, there is a full length mirror in the laundry/mud room that can be placed wherever you like.)

Follow guidelines – In addition to a full House Guide, there are some small signs with some information about how to use some of the amenities to get the most out of the house and, keep safe and prevent damage.  Please observe these guidelines, and in particular –

Temperature sensors for the thermostat are in most rooms, and are clearly marked with small signs .  Please leave them in place. (Note these are sort of curious looking items but rest assured they are not cameras or microphones. There are none of those on the premises at all).

Computer Station – If you use the computer set up station upstairs, leave all wires and devices as they were upon arrival.

Kitchen Counter – please be especially careful not to damage the butcher block countertops in the kitchen.  No abrasive scrubbing, and no hot pans. (Trivets are provided)

Checking Out

Damage or house issues:

Let us know of any breakage or other issues that occurred or was noticed during your stay. This helps up get things fixed up for the next guest.

Putting things in order–

We don’t expect you to do any real cleaning, but do straighten up the house to this extent:

Furniture

Replace all furniture moved to where it was when you arrived.

Trash

  • Gather all trash and leave in cans or trash bags around the house or in the laundry room.
  • If there is more trash than will fit in can in laundry room, leave in trash bags in laundry room (not outside – it can attract animals).
  • Do not leave any food, garbage or scraps outside of closed trash containers or bags. It attracts pests.
  • Do not leave any trash in the yard or around firepit.

Dishes 

  • Gather all used dishes into the kitchen sink area. 
  • If you have time, please start the dishwasher with dirty dishes.

Sheets & Towels

  • Please do not launder the sheets or towels.  We have our own methods to assure they are clean and bright for the next guests. 
  • Please leave all beds you used unmade so we know which to service.
  • Please place used towels in the tub or shower. Leave towels that are unused and still folded in the bedroom.

Check out is 11am unless other arrangements have been confirmed in advance.

Message me when you have left.

While I am a lifelong animal lover and have had many pets, after serious thought we decided to have a strict no pets policy at the Blue View. 


Here are some of the reasons why the Blue View is not a good place for guests’ animals –


The Road.

The house is right on Rt 220, a major two lane  highway.  Although the speed limit is 25 in town we are right on the town boundary and vehicles are frequently going over 25 as they gear up to go faster or are slowing down.  Sadly it is not unusual for animals to be hit.  My neighbor lost her dog that way recently. 


Other Animals.

There is a sheep farm right across Rt 220 which can attract dogs to it, increasing the danger of the road for animals as well as causing havoc on the neighbor’s property. 


There are coyotes in Highland County, as in all rural areas of Virginia. While they are generally not a cause of concern for people, they can be dangerous to dogs. 


The yard often has deer, birds and other small animals like rabbits and chipmunks. These animals can cause erratic reactions in dogs particularly when the dogs  are out of their usual home areas.  Plus I like the birds, small animals and deer, they contribute to the ambiance of the Blue View and want them to be comfortable.


One of my closest neighbors has a dog (one she got after her prior one was killed on Rte 220) that can be excitable and bark.  Having an animal here will increase the likelihood of that dog being annoying.


Maintaining Quality.

My house caretaker and I aim to provide as clean and nice a home as possible.   Our guests appreciate that it is a higher standard than many other short term rentals.  The house itself is more difficult to keep clean, undamaged and odor free if animals are permitted. Many guests have allergies or other issues with staying in a home where animals have been allowed.  We want to be able to host people who seek a pet free lodging.   


For these reasons we enforce a strict no pets policy at the Blue View.    I do not allow even my own or friends’ pets on the property.

Bona-fide Service animals under the ADA definitions may not be prohibited, by law.   However –

The definition of service animals under the ADA is more strict than many people realize.  The owner of the service animal must have a disability, and the service animal must be specifically trained to assist with that disability. If you have a disability and wish to bring a service animal that meets ADA specifications, please answer the following questions: 

  1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Please note that emotional support animals are not the same as ADA protected service animals. Although permitted in many public places and in planes, emotional support animals are not covered by ADA and are not permitted at the Blue View.

TV & MUSIC

IMPORTANT IF YOU LIKE TV
BRING YOUR OWN LOGIN INFORMATION (user ID/passwords) for streaming services that you subscribe to.

There is a 50” TV with a Roku streaming system built in and a sound bar with nice audio.
The TV will let you use your own streaming apps for video and audio. Some apps are loaded by default; and many more can be added by you, per instructions in the Roku Guide at the house. But you will need to enter your own credentials to use them.
— There is a BluRay DVD player. Bring your own DVDs, or watch ours. We have a few dozen, including some for kids.
— USB connecting media. If you have any of your own videos or music on flash drives or other USB devices, you can probably play them with the Roku, with directions in the Roku Guide. (Most but not all file formats will play).
— Music. There is a Bose stereo/clock radio with pretty good sound in the game room. Bring your own music, either CD’s or bluetooth playable. (Instructions in the guest guide.)

FOOD & BEVERAGE

If you’re arriving in the evening, you will want to bring what you want to eat that night. Restaurants close by 8 or 9.

Here’s what we have :
Coffee and Tea makings‐
— There is a Keurig, with pods.
— There is a Mr. Coffee, with ground coffee provided.
— There is also a French Press system (Press, carafe and grinder). Whole beans are provided.
— Coffee‐mate, sugar and Splenda are provided.
— Some basic tea bags are provided, including large size for making iced tea.
Even though we provide some, you may wish to bring your favorite coffee (ground or whole bean), tea, creamer, and sweetener.
There is salt, pepper and some cooking oil and Pam. No food or other beverage should be expected though there may be some condiments or spices.

— Bring a Flashlight. The home is only about a 5 minute walk from the main part of town, but it’s a dark walk at night, along a highway. There’s plenty of room to walk next to the road, but there is no sidewalk for some of it. A flashlight will help you see and be seen at night.

WORKING FROM THE BLUE VIEW

There is a “Bring Your Own Computer” Station in the larger upstairs bedroom, with a desk, chair, monitor, webcam & keyboard. Cables are provided to connect most computers. See the House Guide for more details.

We’ve made a special effort to help you enjoy the features of the Blue View with a minimum of effort. You’ll find tips for all sorts of things. Everything from a map to all the kitchenware to a sign showing how to remove the ice tray lids (which is not at all self-evident). You’ll also find information for local attractions and restaurant menus.

Most of what you’ll need to know is in the House Guide in the living room, and also right here-

House Guide

  • Refundable Cancellation: You can cancel your booking at any time up to 7 days before your reservation starts and receive a full refund of your payment.
  • Cancellation Process: To cancel your booking, please contact us by email to info@blueviewlodge.com, or phone or text 415-558-8000.
  • Non-Refundable Cancellations: Cancellations less than 7 days before the reservation start date are non-refundable, except that reservations canceled up to 24 hours after booking are fully refundable so long as the reservation has not started.
  • Confirmation of Cancellation: Upon completing the cancellation process, you will receive a confirmation email indicating that your booking has been successfully canceled, along with the details of your refund.
  • Refund Processing Time: It may take 5 to 10 business days for the refunded amount to post to your account after the cancellation is processed.

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