Do you want a kid-friendly place for a family vacation? In search of a spot for a romantic getaway, a spiritual retreat, time with a group of friends who love skiing and or being together? Do you need a quiet and beautiful setting in which to study, read, write, create, reflect, recharge, work, or pursue a spiritual quest? Do you like skiing or other winter sports? Do you want an escape surrounded by natural beauty? Would you like a personal spiritual or yoga retreat? Are you an artist, writer or musician who wants to tap into your inner well of creativity?
Our beautiful, year round vacation home is located in The Western Maine Mountain Region on 22 wooded acres on Clearwater Lake, one of Maine's most pristine, spring-fed lakes. The lake has six-and-one-half miles of shore line with a maximum depth of 135 feet. It is near the culturally rich college town of Farmington, Maine and a little under 200 miles distant from Boston.
It feels nourishing here on Clearwater Lake. We can slow down and not be interrupted, and enjoy beautiful views from the house's windows as well as venturing into (or on) the lake and the surrounding woods.
When I come here from my Cambridge Mass home, I love how deeply I sleep, and how rested I feel when I return to the city. I feel more deeply connected with nature after visiting. Kids delight in finding new adventure and fun outside their usual activities.
Enjoy a morning cup of tea or coffee out on the large wrap around deck in the warmer weather.
In cooler or inclement weather gaze at the lake and its surrounding wooded hills through the floor-to-ceiling living room windows.
In wintry weather, enjoy the panoramic view from inside looking through the picture windows at the surrounding mountains, the trees, the snow and ice, and sky. The scene is always changing with mist appearing and disappearing, with sunsets and sunrises, and with visiting birds and other wildlife.
The house has a large deck with a grill with a large picnic table. You can enjoy the deck, reading and resting or simply watching the lake.
Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, the location abounds in opportunities for outdoor play and nature viewing.
Accommodations:
The home is fully winterized and can sleep 9 people.
It has 2 downstairs bedrooms, a romantic sleeping loft, a daybed, and convertible futon sofa bed in the living room.
The house has beds for 3 couples (4 if the sofa bed is used) plus one person on the day bed.
The bathroom is built of natural wood. It has a skylight, a shower, and a clothes washer/dryer.
The house has a propane furnace, a state-of-the-art thermostat, is fully insulated, has radiant floor heating and a fireplace/wood burning stove.
The living room wood burning stove has a glass front and screen. It functions both as a cozy fireplace and a source of extra warmth.
There is a land-line phone with toll-free calling throughout the US and Canada.
The house has wired and wireless high-speed Internet.
In the large, comfortable living room one can curl up on the day bed, couch or in a chair and enjoy a book, music, a warm fire and the many views of the lake and surroundings.
The living room has a well-stocked board game cabinet filled with chess, checkers, monopoly and many other board games.
The full modern kitchen has a refrigerator, stove and microwave along with utensils, pots and pans, a blender, and most everything you have at home for cooking.
The lake side of the house has floor-to-ceiling picture windows so you can be safe from the elements inside as you view constantly changing beautiful outdoor vistas.
Year Round
The views of the lake and surrounding mountains around are always stunning, no matter the season.
The house is remote and private yet easily accessible by car.
It is a perfect spot for a romantic getaway, a spiritual retreat, a group of friends who love skiing and or being together, or as a place to recharge one's creative juices.
Visitors have finished writing projects and written songs inspired by the location.
Enjoy the romance of the wood stove and the comfort of warm floors.
Feel cozy, safe, and nurtured in every season.
On clear nights one has spectacular views of the stars.
The house is very private as it is surrounded by acres of woods on three sides and the lake on the fourth.
The nearby town of Farmington has a campus of The University of Maine and always has a variety of diverse cultural offerings including adult theater, children's theater, dance and live music.
Farmington also offers good new and used bookstores, a multiplex cinema, grocery shopping, gift stores and much more.
See current and near-term local events on the Daily Bulldog web site.
Winter Use:
The house is on a dirt road accessed from a paved road. The dirt road is about one mile long and goes down a hill to reach the house. In the winter this road is plowed and year-round residents drive it daily. However, it can get icy. Four wheel drive and/or snow tires are advisable.
Skiing
Ski on nearby (within 15 minutes) Titcomb Mountain with 16 alpine trails for all skill levels and many cross-country skiing trails.
Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort, on Maine's second highest peak is the only lift-serviced above-treeline skiing in the East. It is 40 - 60 minutes away.
Saddleback Mountain with 66 trails and 5 lifts is an one hour and 23 minutes away.
Sunday River Ski Resort offering 132 trails, 671 acres, and 8 interconnected mountains is an hour and 20 minutes distant.
Cross-country skiing
Ice skating
Snowshoeing
Ice fishing - see our Fishing Laws And Regulations page on our ClearwaterEscapes website to learn about local fishing laws and regulations.
Spring, Summer and Fall Use
Our house is available in winter months, and the 'camp' (what Mainers call a non-winterized cottage) is available in the warmer months from May to October.
It is great for a variety of water sports.
Swimming
Boating. The house has a canoe, two kayaks, a child's canoe, a row boat, and by special arrangement the use of our two sailboats.
Water skiing
Hiking - on our property and from the property to nearby trails
Bicycling
Fall Foliage is spectacular!
Most evenings one is serenaded to sleep by the loons that call the lake home.
Travel
The house is a 200 mile drive from Cambridge, MA. We usually drive it in a bit under four hours.
The nearby town of Farmington (6 miles) is a college town with friendly people and local happenings and eateries.
Features
Phone
Wired and wireless Internet connectivity
Washer/Dryer
Canoes, kayaks, sailboats and rowboat
Suitability
Dog Friendly, no cats
Kid Friendly
I love how kids find ways to entertain themselves here, creatively and without a television! The house has lots of books and games for children, with a basket of toys and a box of Legos.
Smoking Not Allowed
Seasonal local activities
Golf
Tennis
Shopping
Restaurants
Rafting
Kayaking
Sailing
Boating
Waterskiing
Jet Skiing
Swimming
Snorkeling/Diving
Windsurfing
Hatha Yoga: mats, inversion swing, and props at house with free community class in town.
Biking
Mountain Biking
Cross Country Skiing
Downhill/Alpine Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowmobiling
Sledding/Tubing
Wildlife Viewing
Kayaking and canoeing
Table Tennis
Hiking
Fishing - see our Fishing Laws And Regulations webpage at on our clearwaterescapes website to learn about local fishing laws and regulations.
Rock Climbing
Fitness Center/Gym
Health/Beauty Spa
Basketball Court in town, at park, and at UMF fitness center
Antiquing
Cinema and six screen local movie theaters
Museums and galleries
Horseback Riding
Tennis