CEDAR CREEK LAKE - The temperature is dropping, the foliage is losing its green hue and darkness falls earlier on the lake these days as the calendar pages move forward. Fall is upon us and winter will soon be here, but Cedar Creek Lake is still a popular destination for visitors who want to escape the city for peace and quiet. The off-season and especially the holidays attract visitors who want to enjoy the beauty of nature in a serene setting, according to local hosts who rent cabins and houses to vacationers for holidays, weekends and longer stays. The rentals are especially popular for guests who want to visit nearby Canton on weekends for the monthly First Monday sale days. There is an abundance of properties offering a variety of sizes, settings and conveniences available for short-term rentals on Cedar Creek Lake. All of the properties are fully furnished and stocked with everything that is needed for sleeping, cooking, dining and entertaining, including television and movie watching. Bridget's Triple B Cottages on the east side of Cedar Creek Lake sits on the edge of the lake on three wooded acres that are graced by a 75-foot fish-stocked pond. The pond holds large Black Bass, Brim and Catfish for fishing. The small cottage resort offers a pleasant getaway for visitors, said owner Andrew Mustapich, who operates the cottage complex with his wife Laene. A popular sight includes a family of nine deer that visit the compound, and a 10-point buck recently appeared, he said. "It's very quiet and rural," Mustapich said. "There's no noise like people are used to hearing in the city." Two of the cottages feature a bedroom with kitchenettes and fireplaces with the wood supplied. One cottage has two bedrooms with a full kitchen and a convertible queen-sized sofa in the living room. More information about Bridget's Triple B Cottages is available at www.cedarcreeklodging.com. Cedar Creek Lake House, another resort on the main body of the lake features four guest houses operated by partners Ron Watterson and Michael Sambogna, who is a master gardener. The 4-acre compound raises dairy goats, hens and ducks so there is always a fresh, organic supply of cheese, yogurt and eggs for guests. There is also an herb garden. "We have left it very natural," Watterson said. "There is a ton of wildlife, including white and blue Heron and a family of foxes." Watterson said the four houses, which are in walking distance of each other, are sometimes rented by groups of up to 36 people for large gatherings such as corporate retreats, reunions and weddings on site. An office Christmas party has been booked this year. It is also a favorite of Canton visitors and fishing groups. There is a private cove with a boathouse, a beach area, a party deck and a large natural setting where guests can roam. "When the water receded this summer creating a fabulous sandy beach we moved the patio chairs, tables and umbrellas out on it for the guests' entertainment," Watterson said. The resort is enjoyable during the fall and winter months because of its natural beauty, and the seclusion for getaways it offers, Watterson said. More information about Cedar Creek Lake House is available at cedarcreeklakehouse.com. In addition to small resorts on Cedar Creek Lake there are also individual homes available for short-term rent. Seaside Island, which is owned by Jason Barton, features four bedrooms sleeping up to 12 people, a 1200-square-foot deck shaded by huge oak trees, outdoor cooking facilities, an outdoor fire pit and a fishing pier. He also has a second house available for rent. The houses are in lake neighborhoods and close to grocery stores for shopping. Barton said his houses appeal to visitors in the off-season because people still like to get away from the city. In addition to enjoying the interior of the home, the guests enjoy cooking out and other entertainment on the decks during the fall and winter. "You just bundle up and do whatever you need to stay comfortable," said Barton, who noted the houses are especially popular in the off-season during holidays and weekends. More information about the house rentals is available by calling Barton at 972-523-9068. Information about other properties that are available for short-term rental is available on cedarcreeklake.com under the Lodging category.