Although we opted for a rental house within driving distance due to Covid, what we thought was a "limited" trip ended up being one of our best family vacations ever. Consistent with the photos, this home is clean, comfortable, nicely-decorated, and well-appointed. The best part is the location right on the lake. Our family of two adults and two young adult daughters loved waking up to gorgeous views, sunbathing and reading on the dock, watching for loons, and being able to get in the water so easily (once we got used to the cold, that is!). We made ample use of the kayaks that come with the house, even enjoying a sunset kayak around the cove. We also loved the there was a fire pit right at the lake's edge, where we could relax in the evenings and make s'mores. The kitchen and outdoor grill have everything you need for meal prep. Because not many restaurants in the area have outdoor eating spaces, we opted to cook several dinners at the house and did so easily. .
The house makes a great base for day trips. We did two hikes near Castle in the Clouds, only 20 min. away, and a more challenging hike in the White Mountains, about an hour's drive. There is also a sweet farm about 10 min. away (near Jojo's market) for blueberry picking and Moulton farms for cider donuts and great produce. The surrounding neighborhood is somewhat inconsistent in the upkeep of the properties (not a big deal since you spend your time on the lake not on the road); however, we found a five-mile loop from the house that wound us to a lovely residential area, where we enjoyed going on runs.
Finally, I have only praise for Jay, the owner of the home, for his clear communication and responsiveness to questions. He goes above and beyond to ensure that renters have everything they need for a comfortable, trouble-free stay. We feel grateful to Jay and his wife Alice that they open up their beautiful property for others to enjoy. It truly is a treasure and a place we would rent again in the future.