Barn House at Light-Filled Octagon, wifi, pet-friendly, close to ski areas

This secluded architectural gem sits on a knoll in a high mountain valley surrounded by ridgelines, near the end of a dirt road in the Green Mountain National Forest.

This is the perfect romantic getaway for one couple, but two couples or a couple with kids can stay here comfortably. Those who used to rent the octagon will remember the timber-framed barn that has now been transformed into a beautifully crafted, cozy, and fully equipped two-story house. Open living room with a recently installed heat pump and a woodstove keeps the house cozy in winter and cool and dry in the summer.

Two fields and a greenhouse comprise Tarpley Farm, a small organic flower and heirloom vegetable farm that serves two local farmers markets, CSAs, and a farm stand at the end of the road. Delicious, pretty, and plentiful!

There is a small outside campfire in a future willow grove for grilling and smores, and a grand stone fire pit in a birch grove—and a bocce court is out by a tiny house, which is a fine place to read, nap, and get some quiet time. The tiny house has heat and electricity—and can double as another room for an intrepid child or extra guest. An attached shop and toolshed off the covered entrance provides ski, boot and luggage storage.

(Please don’t make outdoor fires unless one of us is at the other house.)

On 5½ acres, the house has large forests with trails on two sides, no sounds of civilization, clear skies with natural wonders all year round, and minutes away from ski areas, cultural events and shopping.

Ski areas abound. Aside from several beautifully groomed X-Country areas, one of which is in the meadow at the bottom of the hill through the woods, there are Bromley Mountain (10 minutes away), Magic (10 minutes), and Okemo and Stratton (25 minutes). Lowell Lake State Park is close by, for swimming, fishing and kayaking.

There are four golf clubs to choose from; Manchester (20 minutes) has loads of shopping (outlet heaven), Orvis (for trout fishing on the Battenkill), as well as many galleries, the Southern VT Arts Center, the Equinox Hotel (resort/spa), Hildene and the Dorset Theater Festival. The Weston Playhouse, oldest of Vermont's summer theaters, is minutes away, with its Broadway-infused professional summer season and after-show cabaret bar.

Great restaurants nearby; my current favorite is the JJ Hapgood Store, great old country store, beautifully renovated, with fantastic pizza oven, coffee, breakfasts, music and dining.