Welcome to the Mountains:
Please take the time to read this important safety message.
In the mountains there are certain instances that occur without warning or notice and are completely out of my control. If I know in advance that something is going to be affecting our community during your visit, I will notify you as soon as I find out. If I know that travel during your visit will be impossible or not safe, I will contact you and AirBnB before you are due to arrive to cancel your reservation for a full refund from me (I cannot guarantee AirBnB will refund their fee.). However, please see below for such occurrences/instances that could occur during or right before your visit and will be completely out of my control.
These are instances that we do not refund for; however, depending on when such incidents occur, you will be presented with the option of either altering/changing your dates, or head on up, and discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors and mountain living.
If you are planning winter trips to the mountains and are looking forward to winter snow, please keep in mind that while snow is fun it can come with its challenges during your visit. While I will do my best to assist you, if you are being impacted by the snow, so am I, and the rest of the community. I live in an area farther up the hill that is not plowed by the county; therefore, my little, remote, unindustrialized neighborhood relies on a privately paid snow-plow driver. I plan out my cleaning schedule with him, but aside from that I cannot guarantee I can get to you; therefore, my handymen, who do live in downtown Twain Harte, will do their best to get to you, if need be.
***I can’t stress enough, please do not panic if power or any of our utilities go out, or if you become snowed in. Regardless of circumstances, time, people and industry move slower in the mountains, and there is no way around that fact if you're used to fast and immediate service in the Bay Area or areas that have more businesses and people to get to a task quicker. My best advice is to just go with the flow. Play games, read a good book, take long naps in the quiet of the situation. During outages, the silence is very refreshing.
As a final note, a Zombie Apocalypse is, competely, out of my control. However, please, rest assured. I have read extensively on this subject - TRUTH. Under these circumstances, being in the mountains is the safest place to hunker down. Twain Harte and Tuolumne County are tight communities and we will fight tooth and nail to keep you all as safe as possible. Shout out to my fellow Walking Dead fans…
Call 911 at any time if you are experiencing any medical emergency.
PLEASE NOTE: Hosts are not able to cancel reservations; otherwise, AirBnB penalizes hosts for canceling reservations.
Unless there are dangerous conditions: e.g., extreme weather where roads are impassable, the whole area is unsafe, our cabins have been impacted by fallen debris or trees rendering the cabin unusable or unreachable, in those instances I will contact AirBnB and follow their instructions for Host Cancelations. AirBnB will contact you and you will receive a full refund in these circumstances.
FIRES: IN THE EVENT THERE IS A NEARBY FIRE PLACING ANYONE IN DANGER I WILL CONTACT YOU, ALONG WITH AIRBNB TO CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION. YOU WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND.
Please take the time to read this important safety message.
In the mountains there are certain instances that occur without warning or notice and are completely out of my control. If I know in advance that something is going to be affecting our community during your visit, I will notify you as soon as I find out. If I know that travel during your visit will be impossible or not safe, I will contact you and AirBnB before you are due to arrive to cancel your reservation for a full refund from me (I cannot guarantee AirBnB will refund their fee.). However, please see below for such occurrences/instances that could occur during or right before your visit and will be completely out of my control.
These are instances that we do not refund for; however, depending on when such incidents occur, you will be presented with the option of either altering/changing your dates, or head on up, and discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors and mountain living.
- Power Outages & Weather Conditions: In the mountains power outages can happen anytime of the year and without warning. Please, do not panic. See below for most causes:
- At all times of the year, PG&E and outside contractors are constantly falling trees. When they fall, they that can strike powerlines, phone lines, and cable lines, knocking out service(s);
- PG&E Wildfire Preventative Outages (PSP)– If I know in advance, you will be notified, but we aren’t always notified;
- Lightning storms happen at all times of the year that can strike power lines & transformers;
- Sometimes the severe changes in weather can purge power;
- Also, during snowstorms tress fall regularly and can fall on service lines, cabins, decks, and block roads. The county works diligently to remove trees blocking the roads, and in the extreme & rare case a tree strikes one of our cabins/decks. If a tree falls on the cabin/deck during your stay, I do have handymen that can be called and be on site as safely & quickly as possible. PG&E is our power source and they do work as quickly as possible to restore power.
- The cabins are equipped for such events. There are plenty of lanterns, extra batteries, wood for the fireplace, you will have hot water, and the there is a propane burner or use the BBQ at the Down Town Cabin. Lake Cabin & Lake Cottage: The cooktop at each cabin is propane – turn on the burner to low setting and hold a lighter/match up to the burner, it will light right up. Stand back, as the flame will ignite with a ‘POOF’. We use our BBQ’s for cooking, as well.
- Most restaurants, including Black Oak Casino, all have generators so dining out is also an option.
- Most of the time PG&E has power restored within a few hours, so your food should not spoil, and if the fridge door is kept closed your food will be fine. In an extremely rare case, I went without power for 7 days in a huge snowstorm. I used nature’s refrigeration, snow, to keep my perishables safe in a cooler. Styrofoam coolers can be purchased at Walmart if you have not brought a cooler with you. This instance is so rare, but I just want you informed and equipped with options & strategies. If power goes out during a snowstorm, do not panic! I have handymen who can get to you if you need assistance, but the most important thing to remember, you are in a cabin that has essentials to get you through the event. We have snow shovels, and a bag of salt OR snow melting pellets you can throw down to help prevent slippery walkways. Please keep in mind that I do not have control over when the roads will be plowed by the county. If you need my handyman, he will get to you as soon as he is safely able to do so. If a lot of people need assistance, we will get to you in line of priority & sequence. Please be patient, know you’re safe and seek the positive in such situations. Us locals understand it can be worrisome if you’re not accustomed to mountain living and the lifestyle, but we will do our utmost best to ensure you are safe, have essentials and you are as comfortable as possible. Phone service can be spotty, but my Xfinity service has been fairly consistent with texting during outages. Please text me if you need assistance, and I will get to work with providing you assistance or guide you through something you might very well be able to conquer on your own.
- Internet & Cable TV Outages: Trees falling and weather are usually the culprits of these outages. Xfinity is our provider and they work as quickly as possible to restore services.
- Water Outages: Due to our extreme changes in weather each season our water company provides continual upkeep to our pipes. I am usually notified a day or two in advance of any planned shutoffs for repairs (But I am also not notified). However, pipes burst, and water can be turned off without notice until Twain Harte Utilities District repairs the busted pipes.
- Bugs & Insects: While I do have regularly scheduled monthly extermination services to keep spiders, and other insects away, we are living in their domain. I understand our bugs and all critters up in the mountains are larger than what you may see where you live, but the majority you might see are not poisonous or dangerous. Also, I understand the first instinct is to kill the insects. Personally, I do not kill them or any living creature. I cannot prevent people from killing them, but if you are a lover of nature and of living creatures of all types, please scoop them into a glass or bowl, and let them go outside. They, and I, thank you for respecting their place in our ecosystem and environment.
- Weather Side Note: Weather, the one thing I wish I could control for you during your visit. The last few years our summers have been hotter than normal, and our winter seasons seem to start later and are shorter than back in the day... We used to begin snow season in October, but the past few years our snowfall seems to go into full effect in late December, January or February, and it can snow up to Memorial Day Weekend. Our passes are opening later each year, and roads into Yosemite are opening later each year, as well -- Sonora Pass and Tioga Pass. Then there have been winters with very little snow, which I know can be really disappointing if you’ve planned your trip to Twain Harte expecting winter snow. We do not refund for lack of snow. Even without snow, there are still so many adventures to experience with your family and friends. Ice Skate at Long Barn Ice Rink, wine tasting, hiking trails are open & gorgeously crisp and stunning anytime of the year. Railtown in Jamestown still runs their trains or head to the antique shops. Get in some gambling at Black Oak Casino, which also has a bowling alley & arcade for kids; it is fun for the whole family. Or simply take the time to relax, unwind, play games, watch movies, read a good book, and spend quality time with those you’re traveling with. Don’t let the weather, or lack of weather, deter your time in Twain Harte and Tuolumne County! Browse our website, and checkout our "Links" tab and "Our Creative Locals & Guests" for local areas to explore and things to do during your visit.
- Air Quality Conditions: During certain months air quality changes due to weather, smoke, pollen, etc. We do not refund because the air is different. If you feel you must alter your reservation, we accept one date alteration request per original reservation date. If you feel you must cancel, you must contact AirBnB yourself and explain your situation (AirBnB Help Desk: 855.424.7262). If you are watching air quality reports, they are not always accurate. For instance, if there is a fire in Tahoe or another area, the winds may blow smoke our way for a portion of the day, but then clear out within an hour or a few hours and we are clear and have better air quality than other areas in CA. There are indoor activities, the cabins are heated or have AC, full TV, games, and there are plenty of areas on my website where you can enjoy indoor activities.
- SNOW:
If you are planning winter trips to the mountains and are looking forward to winter snow, please keep in mind that while snow is fun it can come with its challenges during your visit. While I will do my best to assist you, if you are being impacted by the snow, so am I, and the rest of the community. I live in an area farther up the hill that is not plowed by the county; therefore, my little, remote, unindustrialized neighborhood relies on a privately paid snow-plow driver. I plan out my cleaning schedule with him, but aside from that I cannot guarantee I can get to you; therefore, my handymen, who do live in downtown Twain Harte, will do their best to get to you, if need be.
***I can’t stress enough, please do not panic if power or any of our utilities go out, or if you become snowed in. Regardless of circumstances, time, people and industry move slower in the mountains, and there is no way around that fact if you're used to fast and immediate service in the Bay Area or areas that have more businesses and people to get to a task quicker. My best advice is to just go with the flow. Play games, read a good book, take long naps in the quiet of the situation. During outages, the silence is very refreshing.
- Epidemics & Pandemics: Please know that this is new territory for all of us. New normals are going to be set in place everywhere we go, and everything we do. Regardless of our strict cancel policy, if a Stay At Home Order is mandated by our Governor’s authority, you may either alter your dates, or request a refund in which case, I would provide you a full refund; however, I cannot guarantee that AirBnB will refund you their fees. Therefore, altering your dates would be a much easier and economical way of dealing with this unprecedented challenge.
As a final note, a Zombie Apocalypse is, competely, out of my control. However, please, rest assured. I have read extensively on this subject - TRUTH. Under these circumstances, being in the mountains is the safest place to hunker down. Twain Harte and Tuolumne County are tight communities and we will fight tooth and nail to keep you all as safe as possible. Shout out to my fellow Walking Dead fans…
Call 911 at any time if you are experiencing any medical emergency.
PLEASE NOTE: Hosts are not able to cancel reservations; otherwise, AirBnB penalizes hosts for canceling reservations.
Unless there are dangerous conditions: e.g., extreme weather where roads are impassable, the whole area is unsafe, our cabins have been impacted by fallen debris or trees rendering the cabin unusable or unreachable, in those instances I will contact AirBnB and follow their instructions for Host Cancelations. AirBnB will contact you and you will receive a full refund in these circumstances.
FIRES: IN THE EVENT THERE IS A NEARBY FIRE PLACING ANYONE IN DANGER I WILL CONTACT YOU, ALONG WITH AIRBNB TO CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION. YOU WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND.