Relaxing Shorecreek

Shorecreek and Guesthouse

If you're looking for a luxurious stay along the North Shore that will welcome your four-legged family members, then Shorecreek is for you. I stumbled across the rental while searching for a " pamper myself" getaway - hoping to find someplace that allowed dogs. Upon our arrival I struggle to call the accommodation my husband and I parked our truck in front of a "cabin." Cabins are minimal, secluded and surrounded by forest and mosquitoes. The place I was now staring at was - for lack of a better word - extraordinary.

Pet-friendly rental properties

The Shorecreek and Guesthouse property, nestled into the cliff overlooking Lake Superior, is part of Cascade Vacation Rentals, operating out of Tofte, Minn. Cascade represents more than 60 cabins and lake homes along the North Shore - 20 of which are pet-friendly. Prior permission is required before bringing a pet and there is a $50-per-pet, per-stay fee. The properties Cascade represents range from rustic to luxurious - and we were definitely on the lavish end of the spectrum.

Heated floors, a gourmet kitchen and panoramic views

Shorecreek is distinguished by its craftsmanship. The two-bedroom Shorecreek main house is spacious, warm and welcoming - beautifully fusing North Shore tranquility with luxury. Thoroughly modernized with every conceivable comfort in mind, including three fireplaces, a gourmet kitchen, heated flooring, whirlpool bath overlooking Superior, fine bedding, furniture and luxuries too many to list - Shorecreek is a destination in itself. The stone patio overlooks the lake and wildflower gardens that line the pathway to the guesthouse below. The guesthouse, sitting nearer the water's edge, embodies the same grace and amenities as the main house and is almost entirely outlined in sliding glass doors - which makes napping to the sound of waves washing onto the shore inevitable.

Romping along the shoreline

Our dogs, Dakota and Meadow, spent long hours running from the house, down the stairs and onto the rock shoreline below. Swimming, splashing and bounding their way along the shore, they seemed to be enjoying the property as much as we did. After exploring every nook and cranny, they often just sat and stared out at the lake.

Waterfall operates with a switch

The most remarkable amenity on the property is a manmade waterfall operable with the flick of a switch. Beginning at the front of the property and running alongside the main house, the water flows off the cliff, lands next to the guesthouse below and continues down the embankment into the lake. Although Highway 61 borders the top of the property, its sounds are masked by the cascading waterfall and waves hitting the shore below. It is the type of vacation house you want to hunker down in and not leave throughout your entire stay - which is exactly what we did. Our biggest difficulty was deciding whether to make the main house or the guesthouse our home base.

Hunting for cheese and a raccoon

Late in the evening, under a twinkling sky, we lounged around the fire pit - pinning our wishes on shooting stars. Never one to let an opportunity for treats pass her by, Dakota escorted me to the main house for more crackers and cheese. On our way, Brian's sharp yells for Meadow rang out over the property. Meadow, whose outline I could barely see, was dashing along the shore, hot on the heels of something. A raccoon. Unable to outrun Meadow, the raccoon darted into the lake, stood on its back legs, ready to fight. Standing face-to-face with a snarling raccoon, Meadow made the wisest decision she could and slowly backed away. Keeping her eyes on the raccoon, Meadow disengaged. Prompted by Brian's calling, she reluctantly returned and joined Dakota on her hunt for cheese.

The next day, before heading back to the Twin Cities, we grabbed a bite to eat on the outside patio of the Angry Trout restaurant. It was just hot enough that we didn't feel comfortable leaving the dogs in the car. Upon asking if we could sit outside with the dogs, the waiter replied, "Sure. Just keep `em on a leash."

Enjoying our lunch and the view, we overheard two women say as they entered the restaurant, "Ya gotta like a place that lets you bring dogs." I couldn't agree more.

Cascade Vacation Rentals: 800-950-4361, www.cascadevacationrentals.com.

Cheri Moon is the editor at large and lead dog for Star Tribune Pet Central.