My Tiny Creekside Retreat FAQ

We have two robust wifi networks at the Retreat and the speed and reliability varies greatly from one accommodation to the other.

Guests are encouraged to reveiw the details of their individual accommodation’s wifi notes, and ask questions, to ensure the wifi they need is appropriate for their use. (professional or personal)

Check in time is at 4 pm.

Check out time is at 11 am.

For a harmonious coexistence in our cozy space, we kindly ask you to consider these simple guidelines to make the most of your pet-friendly stay:

1. To ensure everyone's safety, we request that pets remain leashed when outside.

2. We have a no-pets-on-the-furniture policy. That includes beds and lofts too!

3. Our general limit is two pets per stay, unless we've chatted and made special arrangements.

4. Cat lovers, bring your own litter box along for your feline friends.

5. We've got you covered with pet waste bags—please use them for clean-ups, every single time.

6. We're all about quality time together, so no leaving furry friends alone in the homes.

7. Oopsie moments happen! If they do, there are handy cleaning supplies under the sink.

8. A little daily sweep will do wonders to keep fur from taking over.

9. Guests at our Creekside Cottage, we've set up a pup relief area (with a sign!) to save the lawn. Feel free to use it, or any other spot on the property except the front lawn.

10. To keep things fair and square, we're now requiring a refundable $150 pet deposit, due 14 days before your stay. It's all about trust. If we all play by the rules, your deposit stays put. Just know, after any major rule-bending (extra laundry, cleaning, or upholstery work), it's not gonna’ come back to you. Plus, intentional rule breakers might face extra fees. Let's keep things snazzy!

The forest surrounding your accommodations is a home for bunnies, skunks, barn owls, quail, hawks, eagles, otters, bobcat, cougar, coyotes, elk, deer, feral cats, raccoons, mice, squirrels, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, mosquitos, and numerous other potential forest hazards and creatures. Keeping your pets on a leash, will help avoid any accidental and potentially unfortunate encounters.

There is no public transportation, Lyft, or Uber available.

Pick up from the Kelso Train station may be available upon request for an additional charge.

Inside each home is a Helpful Household Handbook which includes a full list of local attractions as well as great places to eat and hike.

A complete list is also available on our website.

Onsite parking is available, strictly assigned, and 1 vehicle per accommdation is assumed. Additional parking can and will be assigned, upon request, for other overnight guests.

All daytime visitors must be requested and pre-approved in writing well in advance of their arrival to prevent parking space confusion.

For events, parking is provided at an offsite but adjacent location.

We also have an Electric Vehicle (EV) charger available for our eco-conscience guests.

The list is simply too long to include here! However, the individual accommodation listings do include all those details and we encourage all of our guests to closely reivew them to ensure they have the perfect accommodation for their needs!

In a nutshell, we provide all of the basics required for cooking, eating, bathing, and sleeping.

As such, linens, towels, shampoo, soaps, coffee supplies, pots and pans, dishes, cooking oil and basic spices are included.

My Tiny Creekside Retreat is a stricly non-smoking facility indoors AND outdoors.

Quiet time is at 9 pm so all loud conversations outdoors or music must volumes be turned down. (or off) As well, all daytime visitors are required to leave prior to quiet time.

Event guests who have reserved the entire Retreat for their exclusive use have slightly different rules. Please ask if this applies to you.

My Tiny Creekside Retreat is gated and equipped with outdoor cameras.

While we do understand that unfortunate events can occur, we do all we can to prevent them.

So, all guests are carefully screened and all visitor requests are reviewed and approved on a case by case basis in the best interest of the safety and security of everyone on site.

Our rural neighbors are distant, very much mind their own business, and we mind ours.

Our cancellation policies vary greatly from one season to the next, and from one accommodation to the next.

As such, we encourage our guests to closely review theirs during booking and/or ask question Re cancellation policy details that apply to them.

My Tiny Creekside Retreat’s staff includes an amazing team of professional cleaners who ensure each home is consistently cleaned to our very high standards for the next guest.

As such, we charge a cleaning fee for each reservation that helps to pay for their services.

Thc cleaning fee is different for each accommodation depending on the size and number of guests.

Depending on the booking service that was used, deposits vary from accdommodation to accommodation and range from a $150 pet deposit to $1,000 security deposit for our guests who reserve the entire venue for their exclusive use.

Guests who book via AirBnB and are not bringing a pet do not to pay any deposit since the damages, after reveiw and approvals, can be covered by AirBnB.

We now have a camp store called the “Camper's Closet” with convenient online ordering for onsite purchasing of items or services you may need or want during your stay, like...
* Firestarter and Smores Kits
* Laundry Room Reservation
* Organic and gluten free Trader Joe's wines, snacks and food items
* Grocery, Charcuterie, and Flowers Delivery for Special Occasions
* Phone Charging Cords and Collectible Destination Stickers

Laundry room use and some services do require a few days’ notice but placing your reservation is a breeze using the following link:
https://app.thehost.co/store/1065/

The Camper’s Closet is located on the deck on the main cottage. (the white house with the blue trim)

If you would like to purchase items spontaneously during your stay, you can also scan the QR code on the Camper's Closet door to access our online store.

For all purchases and reservations, after you place your order, you'll receive an email (separate from your accommodation reservation) describing how to access the items you have purchased.

 If you are interested in fishing Abernathy Creek during your stay, here is the link to purchase a fishing license online, and the regulations RE your catch card. Please allow enough time for your license to reach you in the mail.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing

1) If you would like to purchase a license but have not ordered one online to arrive at your home address prior to your departure, you can purchase one in Longview at Bob's Sporting Goods, located at 1111 Hudson St, Longview WA 98632

2) The fish species and equipment regulations are specific to each freshwater area in Washington State. Here is the link for Abernathy Creek:

https://www.eregulations.com/washington/fishing/columbia-basin-rivers-special-rules-a-c

The section that is applicable for our section is noted at the top of the page under:

"from mouth (Hwy. 4 Bridge) to 500' below Abernathy Fish Technology Center and all tributaries CRC (501)"

3) If you're not interested in actively fishing but would like to visit our neighbors at the Abernathy Hatchery and Fish Technology Center, here is the link for more information. They are now open to the public and it's a fun and educational activity for the whole family!

https://www.fws.gov/office/abernathy-fish-technology-center

Winter storms bring snow, rain, and wind and during your stay you may experience a power outage.

1.        Our local utility, Cowlitz County PUD, does an EXCELLENT job of keeping us all informed of when we can expect the power to be restored and I encourage you to check their website for said updates.

2.        In the event of a power outage, we will lose your ability to use cell phones since we rely on our WIFI network for cell usage.

3.        There is a landline phone on the porch of the main cottage for emergency use and communication during power outages. It is not affected by loss of power. Our address and my contact information is also noted on the wall by the phone.

4.        The closest location to get good cell reception, to check for outage updates on the PUD website, or use your cell phone, is at the end of Abernathy Creek Rd where it meets Hiway 4. There are 2 convenient gravel lots there for parking.

5.        Please bring a flashlight.

6.        If there is snow in the forecast, you MUST arrive with tire chains for your vehicle or in an all-wheel drive or 4×4. Getting to and from our road, in and out of the driveway is the sole responsibility of the guest.

7.        If you arrive and find the water in the shower is trickling, please leave it that way or return it to trickle after use. It is set that way to protect our water lines from freezing.

8.        During a power outage, please do NOT flush toilets, shower, or use the water unless it is absolutely necessary for washing hands or cooking. (some of the homes have propane stoves) The entire Retreat, and all of the guests, will be sharing only the few gallons left in the holding tank until power is restored.

9.        Due to the unpredictable nature of outages, we do not offer refunds for inconvenience of these events and HIGHLY recommend you purchase travel insurance from AirBnB or your online booking provider to cover your loss in the case that you will need to relocate.

We do look forward to hosting your Winterland adventure and hope we will not experience any outages and hope you won’t have to heed any of our advice noted herein.