Tag: lake lifestyle

Lucky Lake Living: St. Patrick’s Day Events In Our Lake Areas

Posted on Camille Smith
March 17th St Patrick's Day

For lake homeowners, day-to-day life is already overflowing with greenery from the amazing views of nature that surround us. However, there’s a day once a year where things at the lake are especially green. That’s right — we’re talking about St. Patrick’s Day. A religious and cultural celebration honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, this holiday is recognized throughout the U.S. For some, it’s a peaceful time of introspection, honoring Lent, and attending religious services. For others, it’s a day to wear as much green as possible, find the nearest parade, and hit the Irish pubs. Whatever your intention on this holiday, these St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in our lake areas are certainly worth checking out.

Sham ‘Rock the Block’ — Lake George, NY

Photo courtesy of Lake George

In upstate New York, just a few hours north of the city, the community at Lake George will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a two-day event centered around Duffy’s Tavern called Sham ‘Rock’ the Block. Duffy’s, a traditional Irish pub, is a beloved landmark of the area for both residents and visitors. At this festival, you can expect to enjoy traditional Irish music, amazing food (think corned beef and Reuben sandwiches), and arts and crafts activities that will be fun for the family. On Saturday, March 14th, from the upper deck of the tavern, you can get views of both the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the amazing Lake George in the background.

Live Music Weekend — Deep Creek, MD

Live music bag pipes
Photo courtesy of Deep Creek Blog.

In the Deep Creek Lake area, there’s no shortage of activities going on over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. A major highlight of the festivities is the number of live music shows that you can discover in the area. If you head over to the Honi-Honi Bar on Saturday, March 14th, you can join the St Patrick’s Day Party featuring cover tunes from the band Time Flies. While you’re out on the town, find out who’s playing at other bars and breweries in the area. Also on March 14th, E May is playing at Moonshadow at 8pm, and Ronnie Boroughs is performing at the Black Bear Tavern at 6pm. No matter where you end up, don’t miss an opportunity to see live music in Deep Creek.

St. Pat’s Booze Cruise — Lake Michigan, IL

pat's booze cruise lake michigan
Photo courtesy of Chicago Party Boat.

If your vision of St. Patrick’s Day involves lots of dancing, drinking, and proximity to a major city, Chicago’s Booze Cruise is the event for you. If you book a ticket for this two-hour cruise, on March 14th, you’ll find yourself aboard a luxury yacht on the great Lake Michigan. Whether you’ll opt to stay on the interior deck or check out the open-aired top deck of the boat, you’ll be able to enjoy amazing lakeside views while dancing to the DJ’s party playlist on one of the dance floors.

Parade and Shamrock Festival — Smith Mountain Lake, VA

st patrick's day parade handing out candy
Photo courtesy of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

Smith Mountain Lake is a popular vacation spot for Virginians and out-of-state visitors alike. Resting in a valley near the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Roanoke region, this lake is primarily known for water sports and fishing (especially for striped bass). As if Smith Mountain Lake doesn’t have enough going on, the region is abuzz over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. They host the Freedom First St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14th at 11:00am, at which the Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled to make an appearance. Throughout the day from 10:00am-5:00pm, you can check out the exciting music festival called the Shamrock Festival featuring bands such as Jive Mother Mary and Strung Like a Horse.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade — Lake of the Ozarks, MO

st patrick's day parade hanging out beads
Photo courtesy of Lake News Online.

If you find yourself in the Lake of the Ozarks region in Central Missouri, you won’t want to miss the 30th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14th at 1:00pm. Sponsored by the Bagnell Dam Strip Association, this historic area of the region is where the parade takes place. Between marching bands and decorative floats, you can check out the local restaurants and stop in for corned beef sandwiches. 

No matter which event you attend, whether it’s one of these five or in your nearby lake area, be sure to wear your green this St. Patrick’s Day and celebrate!

Creating a Haunted Lake House

Posted on Camille Smith

It’s mid-October, and the spooky season is upon us. It’s time to pick out costumes, start planning Halloween parties, and buy endless bags of candy corn. This holiday is particularly fitting for those of us who live on the lake. When it comes to evoking a haunted, intriguing autumn feel, there’s no better environment than a fog-covered lake and a house full of Halloween decorations. Whether you’re gathering around your outdoor fire pit to tell ghost stories or turning your back porch into a pumpkin patch, the abundant trees, and remote location will create the perfect spooky atmosphere. To amplify this perfect lakeside Halloween setting, we have some tips on how to turn your lake house into a fun haunted adventure.

Spooky Wreaths

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SpoOkY Bones 💀🎃🕷

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By hanging a spooky wreath, you’ll show your guests that you’re committing to the Halloween theme before they even step into your home. Like the photo above, you can invoke the Friday the 13th theme, a scary movie that takes place on the lake. Or you can create your own DIY craft. For example, you could make a black wreath with sticks jutting out in every direction, and even place a fake crow in the mix to add a spooky touch to your door. Before entering your haunted lake house, your guests will have a small taste of what to expect.

Bowls of Treats

Plastic pumpkins filled with Halloween candy
Photo courtesy of Good Housekeeping.

There’s no better way to embrace the Halloween season than with candy. During this time of year, there’s always an abundance of tasty treats at your local stores. If you prefer to make your own snacks, there are plenty of easy and fun recipes for Halloween snacks. Pick your favorite spooky treats and add them to your scary decor scheme. Whether you use small decorative bowls, pumpkins, or cauldrons to hold your tasty treats, your guests will be thankful that there are a few treats among all the tricks that your haunted lake house might play. 

Witch’s Cauldron

Image courtesy of Amazon

One surefire way to ensure that spookiness is in the air at your lake house is by investing in a smoky witch’s cauldron. To set up this decoration, buy a large plastic black cauldron, suspend it with three long sticks, and add water and dry ice. Especially if it’s already an overcast day, the mysterious fog from your cauldron will create a genuinely ghostly setting for telling scary stories by the fire on your patio. If you use the same setup on the lakeside of your home, you might even impress your neighbors across the slough. 

Graveyard Tombstones

Decorative funny Halloween graveyard tombstones
Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens.

A classic Halloween yard decoration that never gets old is a makeshift graveyard. You can use cardboard and spray paint to create ghostly tombstones and arrange them in your front yard or near your dock, and put them on display with spotlights. With this decoration, you can aim for laughs like in the photo above, or you can make them a little more sinister. Whichever you choose, the Fall lakeside atmosphere is sure to provide the perfect eerie backdrop for a graveyard at your haunted lake house. 

Funny Skeleton fishing on lake Halloween humor
Photo courtesy of Home is Where the Boat is.

We hope that these spooky ideas inspire you to start decorating your own lake house for Halloween. Between the chill in the air, the fog drifting over the lake, and all your creative decorations, you’ll have the perfect haunted house in no time. If you’re looking for more holiday tips and decor inspiration, make sure to check out our articles here.

Lake Living is Healthy Living

Posted on Staff

The benefits of lake property ownership and the lake lifestyle are boundless. 

Woman in cobra yoga pose, healthy living at the lake

Your cabin on the water provides you with a place to spend your summers with family and friends; a quiet fishing retreat and somewhere to enjoy the wonders of retirement. 

However, did you know lake living can be considered healthy living, too? 

According to a recent health-science research, living on or near the lake can boost your immune system, combat high blood pressure, and even alleviate some symptoms associated with dementia. 

Nature Improves Memory Recall

According to a University of Michigan psychological study, interacting with nature can improve your short-term memory and attention span by 20%. 

Study participants spent an hour walking around different areas of the university’s campus. One group walked near a botanical garden and arboretum, the other down city streets. 

After their walk, the group exposed to plants and trees showed improved recall and focus while the second group showed no improvement at all. 

Additional research indicates that spending time outdoors can also facilitate better overall brain function and improved mental clarity.

Individuals with dementia reported increased awareness, better short-term recall, and reduced aggression and agitation after spending time outdoors. 

Imagine how significantly prolonged exposure to lake environments rich with trees, plants, and wildlife could impact memory function and concentration in residents aging into their golden years. 

The Great Outdoors Relieves Hypertension

Elderly man sitting lakeside surrounded by beautiful greenery
Photo courtesy of ValleyLo Club via Instagram.

A 2018 study conducted by the University of East Anglia concluded that “greenspace exposure” reduces a person’s risk of developing type II diabetes and heart disease. 

Time spent in the great outdoors was also found to lower people’s cortisol levels (a stress-associated chemical), reduce diastolic blood pressure, and improve sleep quality and duration. 

One research experiment cited a “significant reduction in blood pressure in elderly patients” with hypertension after they spent seven days and seven nights in an evergreen forest.   

A similar phenomenon called the “blue mind effect” also impacts stress, anxiety, and overall mental health. The phenomenon’s associated research reports that being near, in, on, and even under the water can make a person healthier and happier. 

Similar to forest bathing, or the act of spending time in nature, spending time near blue spaces like the lake puts people in a mildly meditative state that promotes introspective thought, relaxation, and creativity.  

Being Outside Improves Immune System Function

Family members jet skiing and kayaking on lake
Photo courtesy of Paws Up.

Greenspace and blue space exposure together can improve immune function, as well.

Psychologists who study how one’s state of mind affects his state of health report chronic stress and depression can severely damage a person’s ability to fight off germs. 

Spending time outdoors and near the lake puts the body into what the University of Illinois environment and behavior researcher, Ming Kuo, calls “rest and digest mode.”

In this mode, a person feels relaxed, calm and safe, which allows the body to pump resources into the immune system.

Time spent outside also feeds the body sun-produced Vitamin D and other naturally occurring vitamins and nutrients, providing one’s immune system an extra boost.

For example, trees and other plants give off “phytoncides,” which humans take in when they breathe fresh air. These airborne chemicals protect plants from insects, bacteria and fungal diseases. 

In humans, exposure to phytoncides increases white blood cells in the body that fight off tumor- and virus-infected cells. 

Essentially, spending time at the lake and in the forest can help fight and possibly prevent some cancers.

Forget an “apple a day”! The saying may as well be changed to “enjoying the lake every day keeps the doctor away!”

For more lake lifestyle advice and tips, visit here.

Top 5 Lake Areas to View the Best Fall Foliage

Posted on Camille Smith

Although temperatures in the Northeast may be above 70 degrees and it’s still appropriate to walk outside in shorts, don’t be fooled — Fall is certainly around the corner. Along with this seasonal shift, our beach vacations are becoming a thing of the past for 2019, but that doesn’t mean that our lake living has to end. When planning a weekend to the lake this Fall, one of the most popular activities is taking a road trip to check out the changing leaves. This October is the prime time to scout out the best Fall foliage in the Northeast. Of course, there is no better backdrop for autumn leaves than a panoramic view of a serene lake. Whether you’re in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Vermont, or anywhere in between, these are some of our favorite lakes to view the best fall foliage. 

Deep Creek Lake in Maryland

Deep Creek Lake in Maryland during the fall
Photo courtesy of Garrett County Chamber of Commerce via NorthernVirginiaMag.com.

At this gorgeous lake in Maryland, you really can have it all. With its four season climate in the mid-Atlantic region, a perfect blend of serene nature views combined with commercial luxuries, you can enjoy your lake house here all year long. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Deep Creek State Park for a hiking or camping adventure. As peak season for the changing leaves approaches in late October, it’s the perfect time to browse through our listings to find your home away from home.

Lake Memphremagog in Vermont

Lake Memphremagog in Vermont during the fall
Photo courtesy of Vermonter.com.

Beginning in the delightful small town of Newport, Vermont and extending all the way to Magog, Quebec, Lake Memphremagog is a 31-mile freshwater glacial lake. In addition to serving as a functional source of drinking water for thousands of people, this expansive body of water is also surrounded by breathtaking views of golden Autumn leaves. If you’re looking to get to know the area and catch some trout, bass, or catfish, Gardner Memorial Park has family-friendly fishing access on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. You might even catch a glimpse of the alleged Memphremagog monster that, according to some viewers, resides in the waters. You’ll find a selection of listed homes set along Lake Memphremagog here on our website.

Lake Harmony – Split Rock in Pennsylvania

Lake Harmony serene during autumn
Photo courtesy of Split Rock Resort.

When dreaming of fall leaves, mountains, and a life on the lake, you might find the perfect spot in our listings on Lake Harmony. As a reservoir in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, there is no shortage of outdoor activities and stunning views of autumn foliage. For kid friendly activities, check out the Split Rock Water Park, and for those with an eye for adventure, there’s plenty of snow sports and water sports. Whatever the activity, you’re sure to be surrounded by a peaceful, lush landscape.

Finger Lakes in New York 

Photo courtesy of VisitFingerLakes, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In addition to being known for amazing wine, the Finger Lakes region near Rochester, New York is also renowned for its impressive views of fall foliage. Lake living in the region is done on one of the eleven lakes that create the “fingers” in the famous name. October is a great month to visit the area for the foliage views. Although it isn’t winter yet, you can also use the chairlifts at the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort to get an overhead view of every Fall color in the valley. For an aerial glimpse that’s a bit more adventurous, you can also book a hot air balloon ride through the end of October. While in the area, be sure to also check out the historic sites in the region, including several museums.

Chautauqua-Allegheny in New York

bear lake new york
Photo courtesy of Daniel Mennerich via Flickr.

With the massive Lake Erie on the northern end, the rustic and historic Chautauqua-Allegheny area in New York also includes Bear Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Chautauqua Lake, and Findley Lake that you can check out this Fall. Whether you want to go fishing, boating, or spot wildlife, there’s an outdoor activity for everyone in this beautiful region. Chautauqua-Allegheny also boasts a few unique attractions such as Allegany State Park and Griffis Sculpture Park. Regardless of your chosen pastime, you’re sure to get amazing views of golden brown, red, and yellow autumn leaves – especially in peak season around mid-October.

As October approaches, it’s time to trade swimwear for Fall sweaters, hop in the car, and check out these colorful, impressive views of Northeastern foliage this season. You may just find your dream lake home in the process. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Grilling Recipes to Rock Your Summer

Posted on Staff
grilling recipes that rock, colorful kabobs on the grill

Article co-authored by Lake Homes Realty intern Trey Yanity

The best summer has sunshine, a day at the lake and a hot grill!

These three grilling recipes are simple, quick-fix dishes that will have the whole family asking for more.

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Shrimp

These shrimp start deliciously tangy then hit you with a savory punch. To combat the heat, sweet and spicy grilled shrimp are best served with a side of warm pasta or rice.

This grilling recipe is easy, cost-effective, and will leave you feeling like the top chef of the entire lake.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of chili-garlic sauce 
  • ½ cup of honey
  • 1 pound of medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 6 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes

Directions:

Before lighting your fire, lightly oil your grill’s grate to prevent your shrimp from sticking. 

While that preheats to medium heat, stir your chile-garlic sauce and honey together in a small bowl. Next thread your shrimp onto your soaked bamboo skewers, piercing through the head and tail ends.

Once medium heat is achieved, lay your skewers on the grill and brush your shrimp with your chile-garlic and honey sauce. 

Turn your shrimp over to cook on their opposite sides frequently, and continue basting them each time they flip. 

After about 10 minutes, when your shrimp are firm and pink on both sides, remove your kabobs from the grill and serve.

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Grilled Lemon Chicken

Flavorful, sweet and zesty, you can’t go wrong with this white meat classic. A great choice for healthy eaters, this chicken dish is less than 300 calories per serving. 

Add a side of mashed potatoes and asparagus to complete your meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup of lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp of Dijon mustard
  • 2 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp of finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1/4 tsp of ground black pepper
  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions:

In a bowl, mix your lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, red bell pepper, salt, and pepper. This will serve as your chicken marinade. 

Set aside 1/4 cup of the mixture to use for basting. 

Place your chicken breasts in the remaining marinade and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.  

During this time, preheat your grill to high heat, and lightly oil the grate.

When the meat is marinated to your satisfaction, drain and discard the marinade from the bowl, and place your chicken on the grill. 

Cook for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade.

Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

Alaskan BBQ Salmon

For the fresh fish lovers in your family or friend group, this mix of smokey and sweet will delight even the pickiest taste buds.

This dish takes 17 minutes to cook, but we promise the wait is certainly worth the reward with this fantastic grilling recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup of honey
  • 1 dash of liquid smoke flavoring
  • 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 (4 pound) whole salmon filet

Directions: 

Preheat the grill for high heat. Next mix together your brown sugar, honey, liquid smoke flavoring and vinegar. 

Baste one side of your salmon filet with your sweet and savory sauce and place on the grill, basted side down. 

Cook for seven to eight minutes and generously baste the exposed side of your filet. Flip your fish over and continue cooking for another seven to eight minutes.

Add another layer of sauce before turning your filet over for a final time, and finish cooking for another two minutes. 

Salmon is typically best served when cooked to medium, at which point your fish will be moist and flakey.

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Sweet Extras

This summer, try grilling recipes for more than your traditional outdoor fare by popping a few peach slices on the coals. 

Cook your peaches when your coals are in their “twilight stage” or after they have burned out but are still hot. 

The heat elevates the flavor and releases the juices in your fruit, making it the perfect side dish or ice cream topping. 

Satisfy even more cravings this summer by checking out our “Summer Sips and Spirits” story and testing your taste buds on these “5 Delicious Grilling Recipes You’ve Never Tried (But Should).”

Making Waves with Tony Luna – A Tiny Home Story

Posted on Staff

Many real estate agents enjoy spending their spare time engaged in activities unrelated to the industry.

But for Tony Luna, a Lake Homes Realty agent on Tennessee’s Center Hill Lake, he can’t get enough of the lake real estate scene, his newest hobby combining his love of the water and passion for real estate: building tiny homes along the lakeshore.

“I’d watched enough TV to know tiny homes were gaining popularity across the country,” Luna said about how he was introduced to the tiny home niche. “No one around here was doing it, so I decided I would give it a try.”

Luna explained one of the reasons the area had so few tiny homes, or properties smaller than 1,000 square feet in size, is because of the restrictions many of the lake’s communities and subdivisions have regarding minimum square footage. Most, he said, have a minimum 1,800-square-foot rule.

Casa Luna, as the project was dubbed, would be 600 square feet when completed, which meant finding a place to build could prove difficult.

However, as fate would have it, a friend had the perfect property for sale, and Luna was able to purchase a piece of land near the lake’s Sligo Marina with no size restrictions. Even better, the property had a beautiful, year-round view of the Center Hill Lake waterfront.

But soon thereafter, the real estate agent ran into another snag in his plans.

Many of the contractors he spoke with weren’t interested in such a small build, citing the multi-thousand square foot jobs were where the money was.

In Tennessee, property owners are permitted to build one home without having a contractor’s license. So, without an outside contractor to build his tiny abode, Luna committed to taking on the challenge himself.

Growing up, Luna’s family owned a marina much like the one in Sligo where his tiny home would be located. Both places were dotted with “shed-roof” style rental cabins that Luna incorporated into Casa Luna’s design.

“I drew-up the floorplan on a napkin,” Luna said, “and then I taped the whole house out in a parking lot so I could get a better sense of the layout’s flow. I knew where I wanted the kitchen, bedroom and living area to be, but I found out on my walk-through that I didn’t like the bathroom placement.”

“I knew I wanted to build a shed-roof tiny home as a sort of homage to Sligo Marina’s original cabins and to my roots,” he explained.

He had no intention of selling, at least not initially, he confessed.

Ground broke in June 2017 and construction continued for roughly seven months before Casa Luna was complete.

All the while, Luna chronicled the building’s progress on his social media accounts and immediately gained attention from lake lovers across the state looking to buy his finished project.

“I lived in the house for about six months and had several people ask me about selling. I finally thought, ‘well I’ll list it and see if anything comes of it,’” Luna said.

Within 30 minutes of listing the property, he had a bite, and within 12 hours, Luna had accepted an offer from a financial advisor who had been following his story online.

Today the property’s new owner uses the Center Hill Lake tiny home as an Airbnb, which she tells Luna has been one of the best investments she’s ever made.

As for the potential for more tiny home builds across Center Hill Lake, Luna said a tiny home boom is unlikely.

He explained, “even though we do have a lot of land listings on the market here, many of them are located within subdivisions where you can’t build tiny homes, or they are in old fishing camps from the 1970s that were originally divided into small lots. Today, you have to buy multiple lots to have a space big enough to build, and in those cases, it becomes a big undertaking to contact multiple owners of individual lots just to build one tiny home.”

However, that’s not stopping Luna from continuing with his hobby. In fact, “Casa Luna II” will be completed by the end of August.

“I think the tiny home trend will continue to grow. Younger generations are starting to buy on our lakes, and these minimalist homes are exactly what they are looking for,” he said.

In addition to their compact design and less severe impact on the environment, Luna also said tiny homes are attractive because they are so much like the lake’s luxury properties, but on a smaller scale.

“My tiny home projects are on permanent foundations, just like the homes on the lake now. And I build these homes with the highest quality materials,” he continued. “I use high-end hardwoods, all custom cabinets, real granite counter-tops… the panoramic door on Casa Luna II costs $8,000 alone.”

Luna plans to list his second tiny home in about two weeks, and will then take a break from building for the next year, but he assures his followers this is not the end of his tiny home journey.

Until his return to the construction scene, Luna will continue serving the Center Hill Lake community as the area’s lake real estate expert, developing new designs and searching for land where he can embark on his next not-so-tiny adventure.

Get Caught up in These Lake-Centric Stories

Posted on Staff

The only thing better than cozying up with a good book on a lazy day is curling up with that book lakeside.

So settle into your favorite Adirondack chair, grab your sleekest pair of shades and dive into these best-selling lake-centric stories.

The Lake

Book cover of "The Lake", a lake-centric story

By: Banana Yoshimoto, translated by Michael Emmerich

Awards: 2011 Longlist Man Asian Literary Prize

After her mother’s death, Chihiro moves to Tokyo, where it seems the only thing she’s got the energy to do is gaze out the window.

One day, something changes in her all-to-familiar view: a young man appears in the window opposite hers.

Before Chihiro knows it, she has fallen in love with the boy in the window, Nakajima, an introvert who is just as lonely and heartbroken as she is.

A trip to a beautiful lake helps Chihiro discover and unravel the bizarre secrets from Nakajima’s past and his shocking involvement in a strange religious cult.

Despite their differences and traumatic histories, the pair finds hope for their future.

The Woman in the Lake

Woman on beach, book cover of "The Woman in the Lake"

By: Nicola Cornick

Awards: USA TODAY Best-selling Author

From best-selling author Nicola Cornich, history and mystery come together in this lake-centric story of two women with eerily similar pasts, just 250 years apart.

London in 1765 is no stranger to secrets and luxury, especially when it comes to the Gerard family, a respectable couple of Georgian society.

After a brutal night with her husband, Lady Isabelle Gerard orders her maid to destroy the gorgeous golden gown she was wearing in order to rid herself of the evening’s horrific memory. Little does she know how her life will change forever when a few months later, a woman’s body wearing the dress washes up on the lakeshore.  

Flash forward to 2015, Fenella Brightwell – a recent divorcee fresh out of an abusive marriage– unexpectedly reunites with a gown she stole from a historic home during her childhood.

As she discovers more information about the connection between the gown, Isabella Gerard’s and her own life, Fenella discovers the similarities between them.

Enchanted and perplexed by the power of the gown, Fenella fears what the future has in store for her.

Lost Lake: A Novel

Forest with twinkly lights - The cover of lake-centric story "Lost Lake"

By:Sarah Addison Allen

Awards: New York Times Bestseller

Lost Lake has always been Eby Pim’s favorite place to make memories.

But since her husband’s passing and with the rest of her extended family long gone, she cannot seem to find the closure and peace she was once able to find at her home on the lakeside.

It’s for these reasons that Eby decides to spend one final summer at the property before selling it to a developer who is more-than-ready to take it off her hands.

But before she sells, opportunity knocks on her door offering a fresh start and a second chance at the family she’s always dreamed of. Will she take it?

A lake story about love, life and death, this New York Times best-seller will make you yearn for a second chance of your own on the lakeshore.

Summer at the Lake

By: Erica James

Awards: Sunday Times Top Ten Bestsellers

Floriana, an Oxford tour guide, has made the mistake of a lifetime.

For two years, Floriana had escaped speaking to Seb, the love of her life to whom she had never even admitted her feelings for.

That is, until she finds herself stuck on the shores of Lake Como, forced to feign happiness for his upcoming nuptials.

In her state of shock and distraction, she steps in front of a moving car, leading to an unlikely friendship between her rescuers Adam and Esme.

This unfortunate chain of events helps Floriana experience the best and happiest moments of her life in this lake-centric story of self-discovery.

For more must-read book recommendations, check out our articles “The 6 Best Books to Get Lost in This Summer” and “The 4 Best Novels for Fall on the Lake”!

Top 7 Lake Inflatables

Posted on Staff

Article co-authored by LakeHomes.com intern Gabrielle France

Sunscreen, swimsuits, sodas, and snacks are all important but don’t forget to pack this summer’s hottest lake inflatables before hitting the water this lake season. 

Sun Pleasure Party Bird Island Giant Flamingo and Unicorn Floats

You’re sure to turn a few heads with this giant flamingo float from Sun Pleasure!

Cruise across the lake or anchor off near your dock with up to six of your friends in this 10-foot-tall, eye-catching, neon pink inflatable.

Sunbathe in style as you lounge on comfortable seats, and keep cool with water tickling your toes from beneath the float’s mesh bottom. 

Its built-in cooler and cup holders add to the Giant Flamingo’s appeal, allowing riders to enjoy the water all day long.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. 

Along with their Giant Flamingo inflatable, Sun Pleasure also presents the Giant Unicorn Float –  a 10-foot-tall, rainbow lake toy that’s out-of-this world. 

Find both on amazon.com today!

Intex Splash’N Chill Island

Create your own island oasis with the Splash’N Chill by Intex.

This two-part float can seat up to seven of your friends on its three-seat sun deck and rounded sofa-style seating area.

Lean back and relax as you dip your toes in the water through the float’s open bottom, and grab a cold one from its convenient built-in cooler.

The Splash’N Chill Island measures 145’’ x 125’’ x 20’’ and comes with a fillable anchor bag and a repair patch kit. You can purchase this must-have summer toy at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon for about $90. 

Aqua Treadmill

Travel the lake at top speed (10 mph) this summer in the WOW Aqua Treadmill – a human-powered vehicle for the water that holds up to three people in its 48-inch-wide cockpit. 

The brightly colored 74’’ x 74’’ x 61’’ Aqua Treadmill is not only great for recreation, but also for a fun, alternative workout this summer. 

Twenty years in the making, this hamster wheel on the water provides a truly unique inflatable experience for lake lovers both old and young.

Available on Wow Watersports Official Website and Amazon.com, you can purchase this unique lake toy for $250.  

Inflat-A-Bull

Bring the rodeo to the water this summer with the Inflat-A-Bull! 

Photo-realistic printing gives this inflatable the character of a real mechanical bull that will make you question if you are a true championship bull rider or just someone going for a casual ride.

Grab the bull by the horns and take on the beast by having friends and family use one of the five durable handles to try to toss you off into the water while you channel your inner cowboy by grabbing the pull rope or handles to keep yourself from being bucked off.

Why not saddle up on this 94’’ x 77’’ x 32’’ bull and challenge yourself to a water rodeo by purchasing it on Amazon.com for $35?  

The float holds up to 220 pounds and will bring hours of fun competition to your day on the lake.

Swimline Giant Inflatable Swan

Be the life of the party with the picture-worthy giant swan float from Swimline.

Famous online and in print,  this 6-foot-float will help you relax on your next lake getaway. 

Make a statement and many memories by purchasing Swimline’s endless fun-float at amazon.com!

Airhead Hot Dog 3-Person Towable Tube

If you’ve been craving a new water toy, The Hot Dog Tube by Airhead can satisfy your hunger. 

This lake season enjoy taking on the waves on this banana boat-style tube designed for one to three riders. Measuring at 103’’ long and 44’’ wide, the Hot Dog Tube can hold up to 520 pounds of toppings for your next lake day.

The Hot Dog Tube also comes in a two-seater and five-seater design. 

“Ketchup” with the newest lake trends with this towable available at Overton’s.com and Amazon.com for $189.99.

Serious swimmers only, no weenies allowed.

You thought the lake couldn’t be more fun, but this collection is guaranteed to excite! As always, let us know if you find a great water toy that’s not mentioned here. 

Songs of Summer – A Lake Day Playlist

Posted on Staff

Whether you’re riding the waves or firing up the grill, every lake day could use a soundtrack. 

The lake lifestyle doesn’t discriminate, so why should we? Our musical tastes are as diverse as the lakes we love, so let’s get the party started with these eclectic songs of summer. 

 

1. Fourth of July – Shooter Jennings 26. Waves – Mr. Probz
2. Where the Boat Leaves From – Zac Brown Band 27. Good Feeling – Flo Rida
3. Reality (Radio Edit) – Lost Frequencies

28. Black Water – The Doobie Brothers
4. Island in the Sun – Wheezer 29. Sailing – Christopher Cross
5. Vacation – Sam Hunt 30. Up on Cripple Creek – The Band
6. Cool for the Summer – Demi Lovato 31. American Pie – Don McLean
7. Wannabe – Dylan Schneider 32. The River – Garth Brooks
8. Easy – Faith No More 33. Chattahoochee – Alan Jackson
9. Beautiful Day – U2 34. Sea of Love – The Honeydrippers
10. Ants Marching – Dave Matthews Band 35. Purple Rain – Prince
11. Some Beach – Blake Shelton 36. Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival
12. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae 37. Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
13. Breeze off the Pond – Justin Timberlake 38. Whiskey River – Willie Nelson
14. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys 39. If I had a Boat – Lyle Lovett
15. Castaway – Zac Brown Band 40. Have a Nice Day – Bon Jovi
16. Cheeseburger in Paradise – Jimmy Buffet 41. Island Song – Zac Brown Band
17. Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees 42. Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake 
18. Africa – Toto 43. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes – Jimmy Buffet
19. We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel 44. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
20. The Only Place – Best Coast 45. Summer Breeze – Seals and Crofts
21. All Star – Smash Mouth 46. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
22. Sun Daze – Florida Georgia Line 47. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
23. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini – Bryan Hyland 48. Best Day of My Life – American Authors
24. Float Your Boat – Ryan Follese 49. Dance With Me – Lost Frequencies
25. Be the Lake – Brad Paisley 50. Just Another Day in Paradise – Phil Vassar
   

 

Keep the good times coming for another 40 tracks with our Ultimate Top 40 Boating Playlist.

If you’re looking to chill and relax, check out our Lakeside Chill – A Lake House Relaxation Playlist.