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By Louis Postel (Valery's husband)
Tucked closely into the quiet Village of Jamaica, our place is an easy walk to the grocery store, two interesting restaurants, the coffee shop, and the two art galleries in town. You're somewhere near civilization, but you are not right in thick of it.
Stratton Ski Resort is a straight shot up Rt 30. About 11 minutes to the base.
The West River running through the Jamaica State Park is a joy. Many people learned to cross-country ski there. In any case, there are wonderful walks and short hikes all through the park.
Twice a year the United States government releases the dam and there's a kayak festival. There is also a sheep-shearing festival in the spring. Watch a 250 pound sheep get sheared in a minute and a half without a knick!
It's near enough to Manchester to do some outlet shopping but that can be easily avoided. Stratton Resort is about eight minutes away.
About the house: Everyone loves the floors. All we did is have them sanded by experts. We had a lot of fun collecting furniture, mainly antiques, as well as working in the garden. Nothing is of museum quality value, but it is not the place for rough-housing. Our caretaker, and yours, worked on the whole place as a labor of love, creating the big screened porch and a new bath in the master.
Across from the master is a large bedroom with a bad step; it's not appropriate for small children or sleepwalkers!
Now here's the disclaimer... Even though I have written professionally about interior design for many years, I can't take much credit for the Jamaica house which is really to my wife's credit... a graceful balance between rustic and city. |