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Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!

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A waterfront property with a wooden deck, a grassy lawn, and a view of the lake.
A wooden dock extending into a body of water with a small boat and a blue lounge chair on it.
A cozy living room with a brick fireplace, a large window, and a television.
A lakeside property with a dock, a wooden deck, and a house with a large lawn.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a white countertop, a stove, a sink, and a window.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Rainy Lake
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Toys
  • Barbecue grill
  • Internet
  • Refrigerator
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View in a map
Ranier, MN
  • Place, Cantilever Distillery
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Rainy Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Ranier City Park
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Twin Bunk Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Twin Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!

Nestled on beautiful Rainy Lake, on the US/Canadian border, is The Lake House. Owned by Bill and Terry Lahmayer since 1983, this very unique home is situated in the quaint, historic, lakeside village of Ranier, MN, just two miles east of International Falls. Just 50 feet from the water's edge, The Lake House offers stunning sunsets and lake views. Directly across the lake is Ontario Canada. A private, 44ft. dock, lakeside fire pit, and sand-bottom swimming are yours to enjoy. Built in 1936, The Lake House is tastefully decorated in a mix of traditional and vintage furnishings and comfortably accommodates 6-10 guests.

A stone's throw away is Ranier Beach,  Loony's Brew Pub, Tara's Warf ice cream shop, and our local Fishing Hall of Fame fishing guide -- Woody's Fairly Reliable Guide Service. A public boat ramp is right there as well for convenient boat launching.  A few more blocks away is the Ranier Municiple tavern, train depot, post office, darling community building, and wonderful Ranier Park. In winter, a snowmobile trail runs through town, and Ranier boasts two ice rinks (one for pick-up hockey games and the other for free skating), as well as a sliding hill for the kiddies.

Voyageurs National Park, the only national park accessible only by water, is a mere 8 miles east. So whether you are looking to enjoy some fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, skating, or just relaxing, we have it all!

It is our desire to bless others with the opportunity for a wonderful getaway on Rainy Lake and all that The Lake House has to offer. So come and spend a few days, a week, or even longer, with us! (Maybe you will even get to experience the incredible Northern Lights!)

Fun fact! Although built as a home in the l930s, the original owners, Merville and Helen Trompeter, converted it into a restaurant in the l950s. Named the Twin Elms -- "Home of hot biscuits", Helen herself did the cooking and baking. People even came by boat for some of Helen's delicious fare! We have incorporated much of the history of the house and the area, into our decorating.


Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Lake/dock are water hazards. Low windows upstairs.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking anywhere on property.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1032488
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Ranier

Located in Ranier, this vacation home is on a lake. Cantilever Distillery and Seegert's Marine are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating, snowmobiling, and sledding.
View more Vacation Homes in RanierOpens in a new window
Map
Ranier, MN

What's nearby

  • Cantilever Distillery - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Rainy Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Ranier Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Ranier City Park - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • City Beach - 10 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Border Bar Pizza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪SUBWAY - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!?

As of Oct 6, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock! on Dec 31, 2026 start from $391, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful border waters lake retreat, 50ft from waters edge! Private dock! located?

Situated on a lake, this vacation home is steps from Ranier Beach, Rainy Lake, and Cantilever Distillery. Ranier City Park and City Beach are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cute cozy and well put together lake house. We had two little people with us (2 and 4) and it was pretty easy to manage them here (which is rare sometimes) the hosts had inside toys and outside toys which was soooo nice to have. It was close to downtown ranier so we could walk to get drinks or ice cream. Great place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 19, 2026
Thank you so much for your very nice comments about The Lake House, Jessica! We appreciate it very much! We work hard to help our guests feel comfortable and welcome, so we are glad to know that you were happy with your accommodations 😊. Thank you again for choosing to stay with us!
Archival

8/10 Good

Great place.

Very nice property and we'll stocked with towels, linens, etc. Thanks for letting us stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Hi Jason, Thank you again for your business recently. Since we strive to be a "cut above" other rentals in our area, would you please share with me how we could have earned a 5 star rating? Your input is valued. Thank you. Terry Lahmayer
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay!!

Wonderful and immaculate property right on the lake. Owners were extremely helpful and friendly. We had a wonderful vacation. This place is a gem!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 24, 2020
Thank you for the great review, Tad! We loved having you and your wonderful family stay at The Lake House and we are so glad you made some very special memories! We hope to see you again sometime!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Very organized place with great proximity to Ranier (bars, shops, restaurants) and Rainy Lake.

Home was well appointed with very clean rooms. Nice pier on the lake and a great fire pit and deck area looking over the water. Fishing was OK but accommodations were great.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Jon, we very much appreciate the wonderful review! I'm sorry the fishing wasn't better but we are so glad you were pleased with the accommodations. It was great having you! Thank you again for choosing The Lake House!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great at the lake

The lake house was wonderful, could not of asked for a better place to stay. The host was exceptional . Everyone had a great time
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 19, 2021
...and we could not have asked for better guests! Thank you so much for the GREAT review, Becky! Your kind words are very appreciated ❤. We loved hosting your family and hope you will stay with us again in the future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our hosts were amazing. The house was incredible and everything would could have asked for. Very well stocked with anything and everything you could need. Great location that is walking distance to ice cream and a few restaurants. Our kids loved being right on the water and it was walking distance to a larger beach. If we come back to the area we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely late-summer stay!

My family and I stayed here in late August - a perfect time to enjoy the lake and the house! They set up everything to be ready for our 1.5 year old, and the adults had fun with the canoe and kayak. Rainer is a fun little community. We enjoyed walking to get ice cream and to the park.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 14, 2024
Hi Kate! Thank you for the nice review! We are very happy that you enjoyed your visit to Rainy Lake and chose us for your "home away from home"! Take care! Terry & Bill
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fishing

This property was excellent all the way around very well kept and only feet from a boat launch nice dock with electric would recommend this to any one thanks
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 28, 2020
Hi Joey! Thank you very much for your great review of our property! We truly appreciate that you chose us for your stay. Unfortunately, I don't think the weather cooperated for you. I sure wish we could control that for our guests, but sadly that is out of our "jurisdiction" 😔. I am glad, however, that you were happy with the accommodations. Take care! 🚣 🐟
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Lake House on Rainy Lake

This is a beautiful home fully equipped with everything needed for a relaxing vacation on Rainy Lake. We cannot say enough about the lovely, gracious hosts Terry and Bill. They were responsive to all our questions and are a wealth of information on things to do in the area and the best places to fish. We hope to be back soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 1, 2023
Hi Pat! Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are so happy you and your group enjoyed your stay with us -- Bill and I loved having you! Our cleaning gal loves you too! She said she couldn't believe how clean everything was! We certainly hope you decide to come and stay with us again in the near future 😊. Thank you so much!!!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding

Our family was in I Falls for our son's wedding. Terry & Bill were very gracious hosts. The house is very organized for all your needs, everything you forgot or didn't think you wanted to bring, was there! Beautiful location, we really were able to enjoy the week, our grandchildren had permanent smiles on their faces.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 31, 2023
Hi Jeannie! Thank you VERY much for your kind words and wonderful review! We are so thankful you were happy with your accommodations (in spite of the less-than-perfect weather 😔). It was wonderful meeting you, your husband, and especially your grandson with his impressive collection of fishing gear and passion to match! 🎣🐟😊 We truly hope you will stay with us again in the future. 😉 Congratulations to the newlyweds and your entire family!🥂💐💝 Take care! Terry & Bill 😊😁
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful!!!!!!

The Lake Home was beautiful inside and out. Terry and Bill had everything we needed. The home was very clean and very well kept up and the view of the lake was absolutely breathtaking. Our kids really enjoyed all of the water toys, floaties, goggles, and paddle boat that were provided. I definitely would take my family back here again. It was a home away from home.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 25, 2020
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Bill and I enjoyed meeting your family and are very glad that you were happy with your decision to stay at The Lake House! (Bruce even said how much he enjoyed you guys and would be disappointed if you didn't come back!) Also, thank you for leaving the house in such great shape! Enjoy the rest of your summer and we hope that the memories you made on Rainy Lake will always bring a smile!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house amidst a relaxing community

Where to begin? I can't think of one suggestion to make this lodging better - it is perfect! The house is beautifully decorated, in excellent condition and immaculate. The spacious kitchen is well-stocked which was wonderful for our hiking group of seven adults. We loved having breakfast, cocktails and dinner out on the patio along the lake shore. The view of Rainy Lake is awesome! The beds were very comfortable; we had plenty of space to socialize. The owner, Terry is lovely, friendly and most accommodating. I highly recommend this rental -- if '10' is the highest rating; I'd give it '11'.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Oh my, Terry! We are humbled and grateful for your incredible review! Thank you so very much!!!!! We are thrilled that you enjoyed your visit 😁�. Having guests like you and your great group is why we love what we do! Thank you for choosing The Lake House for your stay on the shores of beautiful Rainy Lake! ⛵ Warmest regards Bill & Terry 😊�
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful elegant well planned and lake views and beach access. The best place to stay ever in Ranie

Wonderful family friendly historic and updated both!!! Do you like Fixer Upper? Magnolia? You will love this beautifully decorated home right on the lake! Great space for a large family or to entertain your friends and family! Fabulous kitchen and really well stocked kitchen. I cooked up a storm. We had two dinner parties outside on the deck and followed up with s’mores cooked over a wood fire on the lakeshore. Best vacation in a little by time. Classy place and classy owners. They made sure to check in to make sure we were comfortable! Hope to be back soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 25, 2020
Hi Nancylee! Please forgive me for not replying to the wonderful review you left for us last season! I'm not sure how that happened! Thank you so much again for choosing The Lake House --- we truly enjoyed having you stay with us. We hope you and your loved ones are doing well in the midst of all the craziness that 2020 has brought. Take care and stay healthy !
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rainier at The Lake House

Me and my friends had a great time at the Lake House, we enjoyed the fishing but it was the house that made the trip. Fully equipped kitchen, great bedrooms and an awesome living area with a enclosed porch. We played cards two nights and really enjoyed our time there, and there's entertainment close with live music We used all of the property, we tied off on the dock with our fishing boat and with the boat ramp so close we pulled our boat off the lake every night. The back deck and patio was great for grilling and people watching, we enjoyed the late afternoons out there until the mosquito's over took the area and deep woods off did help and we stayed outside into early evening. The Lahmayer's are great hosts and we felt like one of their friends borrowing the Lake House! We are planning another booking!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Hi Kevin! Thank you VERY MUCH for that wonderful review! It means a lot to know our guests felt "at home" with us. After meeting you and the other "boys" I knew The Lake House was in good hands 😁�. We loved having you as our guests and we truly hope you stay with us again in the future! Thank you for choosing us for your visit to beautiful Rainy Lake!🌅� Signed, Your friends in Ranier, Terry & Bill 🐟�
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family vacation!

We stayed at the Lake House for a week with our family (kids aged 18, 15, 11, 9) and had a great time! The house is clean and fully stocked. Bill and Terry are so kind and communication was excellent. There was enough room for everyone to spread out and have their own space indoors and outdoors. We loved the fire pit, sunbathing on the dock, drinking coffee on the porch, and family movie nights! We brought our fishing boat and spent most days on the lake catching walleye, pike, and small mouth bass. Our son caught a 41”, 13 lb pike and another one just slightly smaller. We enjoyed the Rainy Lake Grill and ice cream at Tara’s Wharf. Parents even got away for a drink at Cantilever, so good! Everything is within walking distance in Ranier. We golfed in International Falls, went to Voyageurs a couple times to hike, and had lunch at Sha Sha Resort. The Lake House was perfect for our family and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

GREAT LAKE HOUSE IN RANIER

We had a great time at the Lake House in Ranier! It is quiet and you are very close to the town. Everything we needed was in the house. It is very clean and contacting Bill and Terry was quick and they are extremely helpful! The lakefront of the home has it's own swimming area, plus there are two beaches in town that are very close. We enjoyed our stay very much and there is plenty of room in the home for your family. Thank you again, Bill and Terry, for a wonderful home for our family to stay!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful home!! Property was excellent!

Good!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rainy Lake House

This property has an excellent view of the lake. Very nice home, they have a super well stocked kitchen. We really liked the location and plenty of room to relax after touring the area and hiking a few trails.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 22, 2020
Thank you for your wonderful review! We are so glad you enjoyed your visit -- it was great having you stay with us! Take care!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Superb accommodations

Rented many vacations homes in the past. None like this! We cooked all our meals and the kitchen was fully stocked with spices, coffee, creamers etc. All the comforts of your own home. Super clean.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 10, 2020
Hi Ron & Mary! Thank you SO MUCH for your fabulous review! It truly means a lot to us! Bill and I enjoyed meeting you and very much appreciate that you chose to stay at The Lake House. Also, thank you for leaving the house in such immaculate condition!!! We truly hope you will stay with us again in the future! Best wishes and take care!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

FISHING TRIP

Very enjoyable stay at Terry & Bill's home. Great location and will return when we return to International Falls.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 27, 2020
Hi Steve! You guys were AMAZING guests! We loved having you and are thankful you chose The Lake House for your stay. Hopefully we will have the pleasure of hosting you again in the future 😁. Take care and thanks again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place to Stay!!!

We absolutely LOVED our stay at this beautiful home on Rainy Lake. The view of the lake is great and we were extremely impressed with everything about this property. Beautiful décor, the place looks exactly like the photographs, even better. There is so much room. The home was very clean, beds were comfortable and the kitchen was well equipped with everything you need. We didn’t use the laundry but it’s great that it’s available. International Falls is close for shopping/dining out and Ranier also has great eating options. Both Bill & Terry were very accommodating, responsive and easy to work with. We highly recommend this property and we can't wait to visit again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 25, 2020
Hi Denise! Thank you so much for your great review! You and your family were such WONDERFUL guests! Truly a joy! Nothing is more rewarding for us than knowing you enjoyed your stay. Bill and I are so happy that you plan to return next year!!!! We are already looking forward to it! We'll be in touch. Take care and stay healthy!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful lake house

Every part of the process was made so easy. Terry was great about communicating details about the property. It felt like home from the moment we walked in! I don’t think I could say enough nice things about this property. The kitchen was stocked with odds and ends that made cooking at home a lot easier. We loved it here!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Myranda! You guys were fantastic and I'm glad I got to meet you and your family! We greatly appreciate that you chose to stay with us 😊. Best wishes~ Terry & Bill 🚣
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice lake gem

A group of us was at the house for a fishing trip. The house was extremely clean and well-kept we had everything we needed to have a really awesome stay. The owners were very accommodating especially when we had adjust the dates, they were very helpful with anything we needed, we highly recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 25, 2020
Hi Phil! Thank you so much for the very nice review you left for us last season --- we truly appreciate it! We love looking back and remembering all the people who helped make our rental season so rewarding. Take care and stay healthy! Bill and Terry
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable Convenient "home base" for visit to area

Our entire family were delighted with Lahmeyer Lake House, a comfortable and inviting space. Immaculately clean and many many luxuries, conveniences and thoughtful additions to meet our needs including very comfortable beds, high quality linens, black-out blinds, plenty of towels, well-equipped kitchen and appliances, good lighting with dimmers to create just the right lighting, flower beds. Tasteful decor including historical photos. Extra considerations such as first aid kit (which we didn't need, but appreciated being there "just in case"). Our visit for family reunion seemed short; if we are able to visit again, we definitely hope to stay at Lahmeyer Lake House.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Hi David! Thank you so much for your very kind review! We appreciate it more than you know. It was great having your wonderful family stay with us! We felt instantly at ease leaving The Lake House in your care 😊�. Families like yours making special, life-long memories are why we do what we do. It truly blesses us 💗�. We would LOVE to have you stay with us again in the future! Take care! Bill & Terry ⛵

About the host

Hosted by Terry and Bill Lahmayer

Host profile image
We (Bill and Terry), purchased The Lake House when we were in our early twenties with a 1 year-old son. Both born and raised in Wisconsin, we moved to Ranier in 1983. Originally we planned to stay in the area for just a "few years", but the people, Ranier, and Rainy Lake captured our hearts. We decided to stay and added two more children to our family along the way. In 2011, we made the very difficult decision to relocate to the Duluth area, but decided to keep our Rainy Lake home as a long-term rental. Because we missed spending time there, we recently decided to try operating a vacation rental instead. That way, we could give others the opportunity to enjoy it short-term, and still have time there for ourselves. I think you, too, will find that it's a very special place.

Why they chose this property

While looking for a home to purchase after our move to the area in 1983, we couldn't find anything that really appealed to us -- until this one. In spite of its unattractive exterior at that time, and it's need for a great deal of work, we fell in love with the place the first time we saw it. The vaulted ceiling, huge living room, massive fireplace, second story railing/hallway overlooking the main living area, and the darling little window --- were just too much to resist! We spent the next 30 plus years updating, replacing and remodeling. With the exception of one of the bedrooms, every single room was taken down to the studs and renovated. Also fascinating to us was the history of the house. Built in the 1930s by the Trompeter family, the house became a restaurant for a number of years in the 1950s. The Twin Elms, as it was called, was known as the -- "home of hot biscuits and honey"! We have incorporated the home's history into it's décor, along with photos of Ranier in it's earliest days. In those formative, wild years, there were many houses of "ill repute". However, our house was not one of them, lol! But even more captivating than the house and it's history, was the beauty of Rainy Lake. It's medicine for our souls and we are so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with it for all these years.

What makes this property unique

With the water's edge just steps from your door, there's no hassling with the hauling of coolers, chairs, toys, blankets, etc. up and down a long stairway or over rocky ground to get from house-to-water. The yard, the dock, the water --- it's all right there! And hearing the gently lapping of the waves at night, is so wonderfully calming. Stunning sunsets never fail to dazzle, no matter how many you've seen. Hearing the call of a loon on a quiet summers evening is a special kind of music. Watching the mama ducks paddle by with their babies in tow, as well as seeing geese, pelicans, seagulls and sometimes beavers and otters, is so rewarding. The sight of a Bald Eagle circling overhead and swooping down to catch a fish in it's talons is amazing. And then there are the Northern Lights! They are not a regular occurrence, but if you happen to catch them, they will take your breath away. Other things we have enjoyed immensely... the privilege of having a boat tied up to the dock, ready to go out for an evening of fishing just down from the Ranier bridge... lounging around on the dock and watching the kids play in the water... And one of my very favorite activities --- having a campfire at the waters edge on a calm, summers night. It can't be beat. However, I have to be honest and say that the mosquitoes can be challenging, especially during the first half of the summer. Fogging the yard and wearing a good bug dope will make a huge difference. While wonderful in many respects, we need to remember that no place is perfect!

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