On Lake Willoughby "The Lucerne of America"
In Vermont's Scenic Northeast Kingdom

---

Vermont, unlike the rest of the 50 states, has five seasons. To spring, summer, autumn and winter, we've added "mud." Mud season lasts only a couple of weeks, and it gives way in April to a beautiful springtime. The ice is gone and the fish in the lakes, rivers and streams are hungry and eager to sample almost any lure, fly or live bait you present to them. You can sit on the rocks along the falls in the Willoughby River in Orleans during the spawning run in the early spring and watch the rainbow trout jump the natural rock ladder. If you wanted to (but you shouldn't) you could reach out and touch them in mid-air.

Wildflowers sometimes go on as far as the eye can see in the meadows and on the hillsides which ascend to the Green Mountain Range. Tucked into these foothills are some of the most beautiful bodies of water in North America. Lake Willoughby was formed 10,000 years ago by a glacier which stopped here and melted, but not before opening deep underground springs which still feed the lake today and are virtually its only water source. Vermont's biggest lake trout, as well as salmon, rainbows, brown trout and native speckled trout are abundant, but wily enough to challenge your angling skills. (Vermont state record lake trout, 36 lbs. 2 oz., was caught here in July 2003.)

Golf courses in the Northeast Kingdom are among the best in Vermont, and there are four 18-hole courses within a 25-minute drive of Mountain Lake Cottages. The backroads and numerous hiking trails provide a great opportunity to explore countryside and terrain which has remained almost unchanged since the glaciers receded. You can sit on the porch of your cottage and watch the sunset across the lake and over the Green Mountains beyond on any clear evening, and you will marvel at the beauty of the scene before you.

In the summertime, which means anytime from the middle of June until mid-September, the 1,700-acre lake offers opportunities for swimming, sailing, boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, diving and snorkeling. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much lake you'll have to yourself. This is because we're still undiscovered and off the proverbial beaten path! We have several boats for you to use at no cost, and you are welcome to bring any kind of other watercraft you choose (except jet skis). Kayaks and canoes can be rented nearby, and we have plenty of docking and mooring facilities. Bring bicycles, if you like, or you can also rent them locally.

Day trips to Stowe (1 hour), Burlington (2 hours), Montreal (2 hours, 15 minutes), and Quebec City (3 1/2 hours) can be planned, as well as trips to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Cabot Farms. You'll find unique Vermont country stores throughout the area, as well as craft, gift and antique shops.

There are several restaurants nearby when you'd rather dine out than do your own cooking. The kitchen in your cottage is fully equipped for cooking, with a range and oven. Or you can grill on your porch or lawn, and dine either inside your cottage or outside on your picnic table. (You should bring your own charcoal or gas grill, or purchase one locally.)

Other features you'll enjoy at Mountain Lake Cottages are our recreation area (tennis court, raquetball court, table tennis and 1/2 court basketball area). You'll be delighted with our take-a-book/leave-a-book library, too. All our water comes from our own 150-year-old mountain spring, so be sure to take some home with you when you leave.

September and October at Mountain Lake Cottages in the Northeast Kingdom are spectacular! This is a great time to hike the nearby mountain trails and survey the panorama of colors as the foliage turns from the summer greens to the autumn yellows, oranges and reds as far as the eye can see. Wild berries can be found everywhere and nobody minds if you pick them. Bicycle touring is a favorite pastime in the fall, too. After watching the sun set, you can enjoy a cozy evening in front of your fireplace before turning in for the night.

Your cottage is one of ten we have on our 4 1/2 acre lakefront property. It has two bedrooms, each with a full-size bed, bureau, chairs and closet. There's a daybed, sofa, dining table and chairs in the great room, as well as a fireplace. Some cottages have wood stoves and some have conventional heating in addition to the fireplace. The kitchen has an upright refrigerator, range with oven, and is fully equipped with cooking and dining essentials.

Rates in the spring and fall seasons are as follows: Friday - Sunday weekend, $395; Long weekend (3 nights, 4 days), $475; Midweek, $150 per night (2-night minimum); Full week, $995. Whenever possible, and it almost always is, we have flexible check-in and check-out. This means "come early, stay late." From June 27th to September 5th we rent only weekly from Saturday to Saturday (except for Labor Day weekend when we offer a holiday weekend special). The weekly summer rate is $1,195. We also have a limited number of "short week" rentals from August 29th to September 3rd (Saturday to Thursday) for $795.

Our maximum occupancy per cottage is 5 persons.

Pets are not invited.