The Rookery Cottage

01/30/2025

01/16/2025

Let’s gooooo!

Let’s party!!

01/03/2025

All the best wishes for 2025!

12/23/2024

Wishing everyone joy & peace this season and throughout the coming year. Happy holidays from all of us at The Rookery Cottage! -Emily, Matt, & Eli 🫶

12/21/2024

Do you have any winter solstice traditions? We always try to spend a part of this day outdoors, no matter the weather. Time spent in nature always nourishes our souls. ❄️☀️🌙

12/17/2024

Start the new year in a meaningful way by prioritizing peace and tranquility instead of the usual festive chaos. Here are ten reasons to spend New Year's Eve in nature:

1. Stress reduction: Spending time in natural settings is scientifically proven to lower stress levels and cortisol production, making it a great way to unwind before a new year begins.

2. Reflection and introspection: The quietude of nature can provide a space to reflect on the past year, consider personal growth, and set intentions for the year ahead.

3. Connection to the natural world: Located in the heart of Whiterock Conservancy, a 5,400-acre land trust, it's easy to foster a connection to something much larger than oneself, promoting a sense of well-being and gratitude.

4. Peaceful atmosphere: Unlike bustling city celebrations with crowds and noise, The Rookery Cottage offers a tranquil environment to calmly transition into the year ahead.

5. Physical activity: With 40+ miles of wild and scenic hiking trails nearby to choose from, your stay can include a healthy dose of physical activity to end the year on a positive note.

6. Mindfulness practice: Being present in nature can encourage mindfulness, allowing you to focus on the moment rather than anxieties about the future.

7. Celebrate with your nearest and dearest: Your New Year doesn't have to be in solitude if you don't want. The Rookery Cottage sleeps up to 6 with two queen beds and a full-size futon. Even Fido is welcome to join you, as the cottage is pet-friendly.

8. You can do whatever you fancy: Relax and let the days take their own shape. Hike, eat, sleep, drink hot chocolate, birdwatch, stargaze, read, play games, have a fire. You get the picture. Who said there were rules for a New Year celebration?

9. Animal therapy: Getting in nature can be therapy, but so can petting a friendly goat or feeding a happy cow. Or just simply watch the silly chickens run about in the yard and greet you en masse upon arrival.

10. Self-love: Start the year off right by prioritizing your body, soul and mental well-being. Winter is a such a mystical time of year and this is truly a place that will enrich your spirit and allow you the time you need to focus on your self.

Don't just take my word for it, click the link below to read the hundreds of five-star reviews.

Book now while it's still available: https://www.airbnb.com/h/therookerycottage

12/17/2024

A local poet recently enjoyed a writer’s retreat at The Rookery Cottage. Here is one of the many poems she was inspired to write during her stay. Thank you for sharing, Abby !

11/30/2024

On this we give thanks to all who support this small, family-run business! We are not a chain. We are not run by off-site property managers. We are a family of 3 (plus pets) who work tirelessly to make sure your stay is perfect, the place is clean and well-stocked, and that you feel so welcomed here. 💕 Thank you for staying, thank you for spreading the word about us, and thank you for following our page. We so appreciate you all!! 🫶😘

11/18/2024

Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through.
Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs.
Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible. Once we stop wishing it were summer, winter can be a glorious season in which the world takes on a sparse beauty and even the pavements sparkle.
It’s a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order.
Doing those deeply unfashionable things; slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting ...

Katherine May ✨

Artist Credit: Lisa Aisato

10/17/2024

Have you checked out our local Guidebook on Airbnb? What suggestions of places you would add? Where did you absolutely love when you visited C**n Rapids?

Get an Airbnb for every kind of trip → 7 million vacation rentals → 2 million Guest Favorites → 220+ countries and regions worldwide

10/16/2024

Northside Rec has online ordering options for their brick oven pizzas and more! 🍕

10/15/2024

A young astrophotographer (5th grade) recently stayed at The Rookery Cottage with his family. Check out this video he made. My jaw dropped when it showed the images he captured! Amazing what you can see with some dark skies and a telescope!
Truly awesome, !!! 👏🫶

10/09/2024

The G.O.A.T of goats 🏆🥇🥝🐐

10/02/2024

Finally! An upgrade to our wicker loveseat. Our guests have been so sweet to never complain about it, but it’s been on my list to get something comfier for.like.ever. You will sink perfectly into this plaid vintage beast. And you just may never get out. 😊

10/02/2024

🦌Hunting season STARTS tomorrow! We want to remind trail users to stay on clearly marked and maintained trails, as well as keeping all pets leashed from now until January 10th, 2025. 👣

As part of Whiterock Conservancy's Deer Management Plan, a few areas are leased on special permits for bowhunting. For questions or concerns, contact Tyler Bruck, Land Stewardship Director: 712-790-8221 x6 or [email protected]

Photo Credit: Eric Burson

09/07/2024

EDIT: Only the Oct 25/26 weekend left!

For peak fall hiking, snag one of these 2️⃣ autumn weekends left! Sept. 27 & 28th OR Oct. 25 & 26. Think crisp weather, a cozy firepit, stargazing, and a pumpkin latte from the local coffee shop. Perfection. 🍁🥾🪵☕️✨