LAKE HOUSE on the water w/ 2 kayaks, canoe, huge deck, swim raft, dock, fire pit

Wake up in the morning to a wall of windows overlooking the lake and watch the fog slowly lift off of the water while the sun rises. Start the day with a hot cup of coffee from an Adirondack chair in the yard, surrounded by stone walls and flower gardens, but don't forget to look up once in a while to catch a glimpse of a visiting hummingbird. The kids may need your occasional help to take a fish off of the hook but are just far enough away on the large wraparound porch of the dock that you can hopefully talk them through it without having to put down your book.

Big kids, or big kids at heart, can dive in from the end of the dock and with a deep breath just might be able to make the swim underwater all the way to the private raft. Smaller children, and those that like to ease themselves into the water, can wade into the clean, spring-fed lake from the shoreline. Take the canoe or the kayaks out for a paddle around the lake and you might be fortunate enough to site bald eagles, ospreys, loon and other water fowl. Deer, turkey, moose and black bear call the White Mountains their home so bring your camera if you decide to take a drive or hike any of the nearby trails. The Appalachian Trail is nearby but fortunately, since not everyone is game for a 2175 mile hike, there are plenty of tamer options including the nearby Lone Oak Trail, the famed Lost River Caves and Franconia Notch (both within 30-40 mins away). The Cannon Aerial Tram is an easier way to get to the top and offers gorgeous views without the workout.

In the summer you can walk around the 1.5 acre lot and pick blue, red and black berries or go to a nearby farm such as Windy Ridge Orchard and check out the local produce and the animals at their petting zoo. Apple picking starts late August but berries are in season earlier. If you enjoy craft brews then you'll want to stop at either Schilling Beer Company in Littleton or Woodstock Station in Woodstock on your trip back to the house.

After soaking in nature for the day it is always comforting to come home to a fully stocked kitchen and cook up a feast. If you prefer to leave the cooking to others there are several top rated options nearby for evening the most discerning of tastes. Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill, Colatina's Exit in Bradford, and Woodstock Station are all highly rated and delicious. This prime location has modern conveniences like grocery stores, restaurants, etc.. within 5-10 minutes from the house as well as more traditional New England sites such as country stores, covered bridges (we have 3 in Bath), antique shops, waterfalls, farm stands, apple orchards, fairs and more. The entertainment varies from mini golf to challenging 18 hole courses, amusement parks including Clark's Trading Post, Whale's Tale Water Park and Santa's Village, the longest candy counter in the world at Chutter's in Lincoln. A free day of entertainment is also a possibility if you take the tubes under the house and put in at the covered bridge in Bath and take a leisurely journey down the Ammonoosuc River. The take out is just down the road at the farmer's field. There is a dirt road that runs along the river which makes for a great mountain bike ride. It will also give you an excuse for buying that big 4-wheel drive vehicle even though you normally use it for commuting and driving kids around to various activities.

Whether you wish to stay lakeside for the day or go on an adventure, it is nice to come home and throw in a DVD or catch up on what is going on in the world on the 32' flat screen. There is surely a game for everyone to enjoy in our fully stocked game closet. S'mores and ghost stories are always a treat and the amphitheater-style natural stone seating that surrounds our fire pit adds to the experience.

Come bedtime, one upstairs bedroom has a bunk bed with a full size bed on the bottom and twin on top while the master has a queen sized bed. There is also a pull out couch downstairs if needed. If you leave the curtains open, you can fall asleep looking at the stars and wake up to watch the steam rising off the water as the sun rises above the mountains. Linens and towels are available but we simply ask that if you use them that you kindly wash them in the on site washer and dryer before you leave. We hope that you and your family will come experience the best that the White Mountain's have to offer.

Keywords: New England vacation home, lake house, white mountains, swim raft, boats, outdoors, lakefront, hiking, foliage, fishing, kayak, relaxing getaway, Littleton, Lincoln, Bath NH, Woodsville, Wells River, Kancamangus Highway.