Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach

About Nan Reed Twiss

My great grandparents bought this property back in the eighteen hundreds, and it's been the beloved summer home to generations of my family (my children are now the fifth generation). The cottage which was left to me was built by my grandmother during the 2nd world war, and even though I've lived on both coasts of the US, in Europe and in Asia, I've never missed a summer. Birchwood cottage remains my favorite spot in the world...I just wish I could still spend all summer there as I did as a child. Now our family of five treasures the three weeks we save for ourselves, and scared though I was to share the cottage with strangers, so far, renters have treated the place beautifully.

Why Nan Reed Twiss chose Antrim County

I was lucky enough to inherit this gem. But why I would buy it (and I would!) is that Torch Lake is an extraordinarily beautiful lake, more beautiful than any I've ever seen. The colors are like the Caribbean, and the water is so clear you can see the bottom all the way out to the drop-off. The sandy bottom makes it especially beautiful. The area is so peaceful if it's peace you're looking for... and yet, if you want activity, you don't have to go far at all for inland entertainment. There are lots of artist's towns nearby, nice shops, some great restaurants, golfing, hiking...and the town of Alden is a brief walk away.

What makes this Cottage unique

Our cottage is right on the water, so we sleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore. We watch the sunsets from our deck that overlooks the water or from one of our three hammocks placed throughout the property. The beach is perfect for small children since it stays shallow for a long way. In addition to the obvious sand-castle building, the kids also love to explore the woods and build forts with the driftwood or play on the raft. We love to swim, sail, walk or bike into town. There's so much to do in the area, but honestly, we're so happy at the cottage and on the lake, we generally just stay there.