October 11,  2010

The Miller Sanctuary was a great place to celebrate our anniversary and have a fun-filled weekend
with the kids. The cottage was comfy and spacious. The property peaceful and picturesque. And the 
amazing October weather let us take so much in. Relaxing, canoeing, fishing, playing in massive leaf 
piles, shooting pool with a kindergarten shark, roasting smores around the campfire…it was all just
steps away. The website does a good job of honestly depicting what you’re in store for. I think it’s
safe to say we’ll be back (for a longer stay next time)!
				

					
Chad, Kelly, Cassidy, Evan (and our golden Abbie) 
				

					 
				
				 
				

					
					
					 
				

					 
				

					
					
Sept 8-15th , 2007
				

					
					
Harry and Kathleen, (and Ginger too)
				

					
					
This is our second stay at your lovely retreat. It was a perfect escape from the everyday hectic schedules we keep.
				

					
					
We fished Secord one cloudy day with surprising results – lots and lots of Northern Pike. We also drove around scouting the other lakes in this beautiful area --too many to list. We made a trip over to Loud and Cooke Dams. Excellent fishing there as well, catching small and large mouth pike, and then had a picnic lunch. What a Day. We relaxed in the evenings watching movies and shooting pool. We also drove around a couple of the evenings admiring all the deer in the area.
				

					
					
One of my most favorite things was having our morning coffee down by the water on the new patio. It is so peaceful with the morning fog, the sun coming out and the sound the wind chimes. What more could you ask for?  Ginger, our dog, had fun this year with all the chipmunks and frogs.  It seemed to me that the chipmunks were not too intimidated by her.
				

					
					
We really appreciate this lovely home and the peaceful area and scenery.  Thank you for all the amenities and the charm of your sanctuary.
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
Aug 24-30th, 2007
				

					
					
Ken, Maureen, Philip and Fiona, Cambridge, Ontario ( and Cathy from Glasgow, Scotland)
				

					
					
The cottage is lovely, so spacious and comfortable. We had a very relaxing stay – one day shopping at West Branch, a day trip to the beach at Tawas City, went up and down the river on the pontoon boat, golfed one of the nice courses and went swimming at Sugar Springs. Doesn’t sound like we relaxed , does it?  Evenings were spent reading, playing cards and playing pool. Enjoyed watching the beautiful birds as chipmunks and squirrels kept us entertained. The weather was good and we had a lovely vacation. Thanks!
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
Aug 17-20, 2007
				

					
					
John and Sue, Norwalk, OH
				

					
					
Thank you so much for sharing your sanctuary. What a great place to get away from it all. We celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary with a cozy stay at your hide-a-way. 
				

					
					
Our son and daughter-in-law joined us for a day and also enjoyed  your comfy home away from home. You have done everything possible to create a perfect vacation spot.  It was super.
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
Aug 12-16, 2007
				

					
					
Dean and B.J. , Shorewood, IL
				

					
					
We heard about you through great rentals.com and decided on your home after a lengthy process of elimination. Our main purpose on this vacation was to “get a-way” and trust me, this place did it -- quiet, beautiful surroundings, non-populated and relaxing.  A little bit of fishing, a few small walks and a bit of shopping made for a great four days.
				

					
					
Thank you so much for everything you provide here. You made this just like a home away from home but still kept the sense of vacation living…. Do not change a thing! When we decide to take this type of “unwinding” vacation again, trust us, we will be back. Thank you again.
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
July 20-22, 2007
				

					
					
Paul, Tina, & the boys – Columbus, OH
				

					
					
We are so happy with our find on the internet – it was worth it. This place is beautiful, and peaceful. Our boys want to live here and I would love that too! My husband loves the pontoon boat, and we enjoyed fishing the river and your cottage is perfect for vacations. Our dog is happy here too. All the critters and sounds from them is just what we needed. 
				

					
					
We hope to get back soon and stay longer. Thank you Joe and Ginger for coming out to fix the pool table – that was nice of you both and it was a pleasure meeting you.
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
June 29-July 6, 2007
				

					
					
Dick and Greta, Findley OH
				

					
					
Dear Ginger and Joe,
				

					
					
Thank you so much for the sharing of your home with us. It is peaceful and relaxing. We also enjoyed the location. We did some day trips and golfed three area courses and of course, shopped at the outlet mall. We were entertained by the turtles, beavers, deer, and turkeys. The use of the pontoon boat was an extra special treat. We left a few new brochures about the area interests that we enjoyed in the binder. Thanks again. We had a great time.
				

					
					
Oct 13-15, 2006
				

					
					
Curtis and Lee
				

					
					
A weekend getaway for just the two of us..it was lovely!  I think the fall colors have just past, but that didn’t keep us from spending much of our time down by the river enjoying the fire. We “borrowed” a few of your marshmallows – hope you don’t mind. We appreciated your nicely stocked kitchen utensils too. We forgot to light any candles. Oh well…next time.
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
Oct 6-8, 2006
				

					
					
Linda, Debra, Donna
				

					
					
We had a lovely time relaxing with the movies, playing pool and evenings out by the water enjoying the fire.
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
Sept 23-30th, 2006
				

					
					
Harry and Kathleen, and Ginger the bunny chaser
				

					
					
We spent several days looking for a peaceful retreat for our 28th wedding anniversary. I am happy we chose your sanctuary. When we arrived, the trees had just begun to change colors. In just a week, they have changed to beautiful reds, yellows, and browns. Although the weather was cool with a couple of cold night, and it rained much of the time, we couldn’t have dreamed of such a lovely home and area to spend our time.
				

					
					
We went sightseeing to several lakes and over to Tawas. We had picnic lunches and just enjoyed the surroundings. One day, we packed a lunch and drove to the Mackinac Bridge. That was truly spectacular. We played pool after dinner and watched movies in the evening. We had a spectacular dinner at the Willow Tree on our anniversary and ate at G’s Pizza twice – YUM YUM.
				

					
					
I fell in love with not only the most beautiful wind chime I’ve ever heard, but the whole place. This is truly God’s country and we have enjoyed our time here like no other.
				

					 
				

					 
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
August 6-12, 2006
				

					
					
					 
				

					
I spent months researching on the internet for the perfect place for our family vacation.  
				

					
					
We were not disappointed in my final choice.  Our family enjoyed our stay here at Miller 
				

					
					
Sanctuary.  It had something for everyone and provided a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.  
				

					
					
In addition to being well stocked with anything we could need or want, the house was warm 
				

					
					
and inviting, yet large enough for everyone (6 of us) to find a quiet spot to be alone if that what 
				

					
					
we needed.  We only left the “Sanctuary” three times, 1. to stock up on food 2. out to dinner in 
				

					
					
West Branch 3. drive to Tawas to lay on a Lake Huron Beach.  
				

					
 Our days were filled with boating (canoe/pontoon) enjoying the wildlife on the river….geese, 
				

					
					
crane, eagle, turtles and more.  We also enjoyed watching our dogs have a blast romping in the river 
				

					
					
as we played yard games or relaxed in the hammock reading a book.  Lunch time also was time for a 
				

					
					
board game or pool (my pool shark daughter was in heaven all week).  
				

					
					
Our evenings consisted of more family games like Uno and Poker (Pool too).  After a campfire with 
				

					
					
s’mores and listening to the night animal calls, we would settle in for a late night movie before hitting the sack.  
				

					
					
We could not have asked for a more relaxing, comfortable and fun-filled place to spend a week.  
				

					
					
Thank you for sharing your home, your hospitality and oh yes, the gorgeous weather you had waiting here 
				

					
					
when we arrived.  We had an “awesome” time at “Miller Sanctuary at Birchview.”  
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
					The Ruby Family
				

					
					
					Bartlett, IL
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
 August 2-6, 2006
				

					 
				

					
					
 What a beautiful place!  Plus it was so well stocked and organized.  It made our stay 
				

					
					
much more pleasant.  For example, we used the grill for barbeque chicken one evening and used 
				

					
					
the crock pot to make a killer dilled pot roast another night.
				

					
					
 Each day we took the canoe out fishing.  We caught blue gill, perch, a pumpkin seed 
				

					
					
and some bass.  We also had fires at the fire pit and made s’mores.  Other animals we saw 
				

					
					
were a blue-tailed skink, leopard frogs, water snakes, chipmunks and even wild turkeys 
				

					
					
when we were out canoeing.  
				

					
One of the main reasons we chose your place was that it was fairly close to Cole Canoe 
				

					
					
Base Boy Scout Camp.  Our two boys were there so we were able to spend some time with them 
				

					
					
during the week.  We canoed the Rifle River with them on Thursday which was quite the adventure!  
				

					
					
It had rained that day and the river was quite swift.  It was great to come back to a comfortable house 
				

					
					
and bed after our five hours on the river!  
				

					
					
The boys came back to the house after camp and really were able to decompress.  This is a 
				

					
					
great place for scouts and parents too!  We took them into West Branch for dinner at G’s Pizzeria and
				

					
					
that was wonderful too.  
				

					
					
Thanks for your wonderful place!  It really was a fantastic experience. 
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
Sincerely,
				

					
					
					 
				

					
Chris Brennan and Sharon, Adam and Justin O’Donnell
				

					
St. Clair Shores, MI
				

					 
				

					 
				

					
					
July 7 -July 9, 2006
				

					 
				

					
					
Thanks so much for your hospitality.  The Miller Sanctuary is a nice place to relax.  This was the perfect location
				

					
					
to Cole Canoe Base [Campground] to pick our Boy Scouts up.  The boys loved playing pool and relaxing in 
				

					
					
front of the TV after a week of camping.
				

					 
				

					
					
The Parents of Troop 1615  (Royal Oak, MI)
				

					 
				

					 
				

					 
				

					
					
6-26-2006 to 7-2-2006
				

					 
				

					
					
Hi Joe, Ginger and Family!
				

					
					
					 
				

					
 Thank you for sharing Miller Sanctuary at Birchview with our family.  We had a most relaxing week.  
				

					
					
					 
				

					Highlights included:
				

					
					
					 
				

					 
				

					

						
						
						A canoe trip down the Tittabawasee River.
					

						
						
						Grilling outside for dinner.
					

						
						
						Seeing 8 wild turkeys on the front lawn.
					

						
						
						Some spirited games of cards (poker, rummy, and spoons).
					

						
						
						Laying in the hammock reading a book underneath a shade tree.
					

						
						
						Watching an afternoon thunderstorm roll in.
					

						
						
						Taking a pontoon ride to fish.
					

						
						
						Playing pool and enjoying a few late night movies with popcorn.
					

						
						
						Catching baby bullfrogs.
					

						
						
						Seeing a beaver dam along the river bank.
					

						
						
						Seeing deer, raccoons and rabbits on our meandering drives into the property.
					

						
						
						Toasting marshmallows at night by the waters edge.  
				
				

					
					
					We appreciate your hospitality and look forward to a return visit!  
				

					
					
					  
				

					
					
					Sincerely,
				

					
					
					 
				

					
					
					The DeStephano/Dorsey Family (Granger, IN)
				

					
					
					Michele, Dale, Sarah, Mike, Isabella and Dominic
				

					 
				

					 
				

					
					
5/14/06
				

					 
				

					
					
Dear Ginger and Joe,
				

					
					
					
You have the most beautiful cottage I have ever been in. You have 
				

					
					
furnished it with lovely and comfortable furniture. My favorite place 
				

					
					
is the main living room--large and lots of area to move around in. It 
				

					
					
was perfect for a family gathering. The full wall limestone fireplace 
				

					
					
was warm and nice to gather around. We enjoyed talking while sitting 
				

					
					
on the leather sofas. The other room with the pool table and large TV 
				

					
					
gave our family additional entertainment. The kitchen is very large 
				

					
					
and well equipped. The setting is truly a sanctuary --a peaceful and 
				

					
					
serene place to relax and view nature on the river. 
				
				
				

Connie Burke, Portage MI