Wheelchair-Accessible Cabin on Scenic Lake Namakagon
Located on Lake Namakagon in Northern Wisconsin, this wheelchair-accessible cabin (www.vrbo.com/1146321) is the perfect choice for avid fishermen, folks who enjoy water sports, or anyone who just wants to soak in the scenic beauty of the area. As an added bonus, this comfortable home is owned by two people who intimately understand access issues – Susan and Mark Overson. Mark, who uses a manual wheelchair, enjoys the great outdoors, and enthusiastically encourages other wheelers to do the same. Of course the Oversons absolutely love their lakeside retreat, but they are equally excited about being able to offer it to others who have mobility issues.
A Cabin on the Lake
As a result of their extensive experience, the Oversons did an excellent job equipping their wheelchair-accessible cabin. There’s level access up to the front door, with wide doorways and barrier-free access throughout the home. The open floor plan includes a living room with a fireplace, a gourmet kitchen, a master suite with a bath, two additional bedrooms, another bathroom and a sun porch that doubles as a bedroom.
The master bedroom is furnished with an adjustable Tempur-Pedic queen-sized bed with wheelchair access on both sides. There’s barrier-free access to the adjacent master bathroom, which is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. The toilet has a grab bar on the right wall (as seated), and the spacious bathroom can accommodate even the largest wheelchair or scooter.
One of the other bedrooms is furnished with a 22-inch high full-sized bed, and the other offers a 20-inch high full-sized bunk bed with a trundle. Additionally, the sun room has a 16-inch high twin futon.
There’s level access out to the laundry room, which is equipped with a washer and a dryer. A large garage is also attached to the cabin, and as an added bonus it has a heated floor, which is a great feature for a year-round retreat in this area.
Outside, the patio is furnished with some Adirondack chairs and a gas grill. And then there’s the lake, which is located down an accessible path from the back door. There is also an accessible fire pit along the way to the dock, and a picnic table near the cabin. It’s a very comfortable and accessible cabin, with a location that you just can’t beat.
The Little Extras
Susan definitely provides her guests with important details about things to do in the area, including a binder filled with access information. And what’s not to love about a place that has an accessible travel book in the library? And of course Susan knows the local area, so if you need any additional information, feel free to ask.
If you’d like to do a little paddling while you’re staying at this wheelchair-accessible cabin, there’s also a selection of kayaks and life vests in the garage. Mark chose ocean kayaks for their stability, and he has a tandem one that will work for people with limited upper body strength.
The Oversons also have a standard pontoon boat available for rent. You can just roll on to it from the dock, then take it out and drop anchor and wait for the fish to bite. There are two fishing chairs in the front, or you can fish from your wheelchair.
And if you visit during the winter, then give Mark’s accessible ice fishing house a try. It features a back wall that folds down and acts as a ramp, three fishing holes and a propane heater. After you are safe and secure inside, the back ramp can be folded back up so you can fish in heated comfort. Best of all, they have folks who will tow it out on the lake and set it up, supply the bait and the fishing gear, and even clean your catch. It’s the easy — and accessible — way to enjoy ice fishing.
