Tag: lake living

Sun Protection Series #2: Why You Should Always Wear Sunglasses on the Lake

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Rheos.

When you hear the phrase “sun protection,” do you only think of sunscreen? Of course, using SPF is vital for healthy skin and cancer prevention. However, you may not realize that UVA and UVB rays can harm the eyes just like they can damage the skin. For lake homeowners who love spending time outdoors, wearing sunglasses is a critical step in practicing sun protection. Whether you spend $10 or $200, a pair of sunnies aren’t just for style, and Lake Homes is here to explain why.

How Does the Sun Affect My Eyes?

Photo courtesy of medexpress.com.

As John Denver once said in a song, “sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry.” Despite Denver’s words, the sun can do a lot more to your eyes than cause tears. Sun exposure has positive benefits like improving eyesight, but too much exposure can cause eye damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, eyelid skin cancer accounts for 5-10% of skin cancer cases. Many people haven’t considered the possibility of eyelid cancer, but this unknown aspect makes it dangerous. Left untreated, it can cause tissue damage and even blindness. Sun exposure to the eyes can also result in other conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. These ailments can take a long time to develop, so it’s best to begin sun protection early on. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, babies and kids should wear sunglasses and hats just like adults. 

Why Are Sunglasses Important on the Lake?

Photo courtesy of njozilife.com.

If you own a lake home, you’re already spending a lot of time outside. As such, the increased frequency of sun exposure warrants more careful attention to sun protection. If you’re a hiker or cycler, UV intensity increases with altitude, making sun protection even more crucial. Additionally, a glaring (no pun intended) concern specific to lake dwellers is proximity to the water. According to Rebecca Berton, co-founder of Rheos Nautical Eyewear, “Water can reflect up to 100% of UV rays, doubling your exposure and increasing your risk of sun damage.” Water’s high refractive index can even result in corneal sunburn (snow blindness). This condition happens quickly and dramatically. In one instance, dog sled racer Doug Swingley developed corneal sunburn in seconds in the 2004 Iditarod sledding competition. Although water posits a lower risk than snow, it’s still possible.

What Are Some Good Sunglasses Brands?

Photo courtesy of Rheos.

Despite these plentiful risks, Rebecca shares that according to research, only half of Americans are likely to wear sunglasses near a water body. Whether due to ignorance of the threat or carelessness, there are ramifications for chronically skipping the sunglasses. To avoid contributing to the statistic, you can invest in a pair of well-made sunglasses. Rheos is one of these brands — their floatable lenses provide 100% UV protection and polarization. Rebecca describes, “We created a collection of eyewear built specifically for the water, so you can spend time doing what you love on the boat or dock without worrying about losing your shades. Your sunglasses should protect you and not the other way around.”

Another brand dedicated to sun protection on the water is Flying Fisherman. The glasses are designed specifically for fishing and boating. Flying Fisherman products have trademarked AcuTint lenses that eliminate reflective glare and add contrast and clarity to your vision. They also block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Vice president, Linda Sheldon, adds, “For 35 years, the biggest thing we’re known for is offering quality, affordable, polarized eyewear… we offer an excellent product for a very reasonable price.” Their glasses are available in 50 different styles for women, men, and kids. One of their kids’ styles, The Buoy, was featured in the Wall Street Journal. 

By investing in a high-quality pair of sunglasses, you’re investing in long-term skin and eye care. And you’ll look fabulous doing it!

Lake Activities: What Should You Do Today?

Posted on Camille Smith

From reading on the dock to water skiing, an endless amount of activities are at your fingertips when you own a lake home. Especially as summer is approaching, your options grow exponentially. With countless possibilities, choosing a lake activity can be overwhelming. To simplify the process, we’ve created this decision flowchart. Start at the top, answer each question, and discover what exciting feat you’re in for today!

Download Flowchart

Indoor Activities

If your result was in a turquoise box, get ready for a cozy, laid back day indoors. Greet the day with a slow yoga flow on your screened porch. By afternoon, maybe you’ll scour the pantry for ingredients to start a new recipe. Baking projects like homemade bread are more popular than ever, so now is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen. Even if you’re in short supply of cookbooks at your lake house, popular apps like New York Times Cooking and Yummly have hundreds of recipes.

Similarly, there’s no shortage of DIY projects at your disposal. Examine each room of your lake home and ask yourself what’s missing. Maybe a cute chalkboard, decor made of driftwood, or an outdoor fire pit. You can create any of these pieces on your own, so why not get started today? If you’re not feeling creative and need to use the day to recharge, try one of The Atlantic’s recommended quarantine reads for the summer. Or sink into the sofa watching a lake-themed movie. 

Outdoor Activities

If your result settled on a lime green box, you’re spending the day outdoors! The lake waters are getting warmer these days, so why not take advantage? Whether you’re practicing competitive swimming strokes, water skiing, or canoeing with a fishing rod in hand, enjoying the water in your backyard never gets old. If you’d prefer more green space than blue today, try exploring one of the hiking trails near your property. If you own a mountain bike, grab your helmet and start pedaling. Otherwise, bring a walking stick and go at your own pace. While you’re there, count how many different species of birds you can spot. Check out this bird identification guide to brush up on your ornithology skills. While most of these are solo activities, if you’re feeling social, you can turn the day into a small social gathering — once quarantine ends, of course. Your backyard is the perfect setting for a summer picnic. Bring a set of speakers, a blanket, and enjoy the view with your crew. 

The Day’s What You Make It

We hope this flowchart helps you determine what activity you’d most enjoy at your lake house today. However, this decision-making tool is certainly not prescriptive. Ultimately, your perfect day at the lake is whatever you want it to be. Whether you decide to squeeze in every activity on this list, pick just one, or none at all, what’s most important is that you enjoy your lake retreat on this summer day. From our lake home to yours — have fun!

Sun Protection Series #1: All You Need to Know About Sunscreen When at the Lake

Posted on Camille Smith

As lake dwellers, we’ve all experienced a painful sunburn. While it’s no big deal to treat most sunburns at home with moisturizer and aloe vera, it’s best to reduce your burns because chronic, unprotected sun exposure can be dangerous. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. To highlight the importance of sun protection on the lake, we’re launching a four-part blog series on this topic, beginning with a spotlight on sunscreen. To learn more about using sunscreen properly at the lake, we connected with Dr. Rina Allawh at Montgomery Dermatology near Philadelphia, PA, and Dr. Todd Minars from Minars Dermatology in Hollywood, FL. These dermatologists lent us their expert advice on the essentials of sun protection for lake lovers like us. 

What is SPF?

We’ve all seen this acronym on sunscreen bottles, but do we really know what it means? First, SPF stands for Sun Protective Factor, and it measures a product’s degree of protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. There are two types of UV — UVA rays which penetrate deeper and cause the skin to age and UVB rays that are surface-level and cause the skin to burn. To filter out this harmful light, SPF was created. It’s available in two broad categories: chemical and physical. While chemical sunscreens contain organic compounds that absorb UV rays when they enter the skin, physical sunscreens include mineral compounds which sit on top of the skin and scatter and reflect UV rays. Both have costs and benefits. Recent studies suggest that some chemical sunscreen can be absorbed into the blood, but Dr. Allawh clarifies that there are currently no studies linking sunscreen to cancer. Regardless of which type of sunscreen you choose, the most crucial factor is simply using it. Dr. Minars emphasizes this importance: “Quite literally, applying sunscreen with SPF is the best anti-aging and skin care preventative step a person can take.”

What SPF Should I Use?

Dr. Allawh’s patients frequently ask her whether a high-numbered SPF is better. The answer depends less on the SPF and more on one’s application. She comments, “Many individuals purchase a higher SPF in hopes that they don’t have to reapply. In reality, a high-number SPF does not mean you can spend additional time outdoors unprotected. Reapplication is essential, especially after being in the water.” Although a higher SPF number does not protect your skin longer, it does have slightly more coverage from the sun’s UVB rays. For instance, SPF 30 blocks 97% of these rays, and higher numbers will provide 98% coverage and above. However, Dr. Allawh adds, “No sunscreen, in reality, can block 100% of the sun’s rays.” Finally, when picking out a sunscreen, make sure that the term “broad spectrum” is on the label, demonstrating that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. And don’t forget to check the expiration date!

How Much Should I Apply?

Dr. Allawh recommends applying a nickel-sized amount of sunscreen to the entire face daily. If you’re spending time outside on the lake, she recommends applying one shot glass amount of sunscreen to your exposed skin. Although it’s a common practice to only reach for the sunscreen when it’s sunny outside, it’s just as important to wear SPF on cloudy or overcast days. Especially between the hours of 10am-2pm, the sun’s rays are exceptionally strong, and it’s critical to apply the recommended amount of SPF. Dr. Allawh says, “a helpful tip I recommend to my patients: When your shadow is shorter than you are… seek shade!” 

What Products Should I Use?

Photo courtesy of Prevention.com.

The answer to this question depends on your skin features and whether your goal is repair or protection. For everyday use, while lounging on your boat dock, Dr. Minars suggests a rub-on SPF sunscreen like Neutrogena Beach Defense. Its 80-minute water resistance is ideal for lake environments. If your skin is sensitive or acne-prone, Dr. Allawh suggests products that are light and non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t block your pores) such as Elta MD UV Clear, LaRoche Posay Anthelios, and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch. She notes that “they have a nice buildable texture which is ideal for applying before any make-up.” If you’ve already accumulated skin damage from years enjoying the sun, it isn’t too late. Dr. Minars recommends AlphaRet cream products from Skinbetter Science for skin repair. Although this product is less potent than a dermatologist’s prescription, their key ingredients of retinoid and lactic acid rejuvenate and repair the skin. 

In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for more blog posts in our Sun Protection Series. For now, apply some sunscreen and get outdoors!

From Manhattan to Muscle Shoals: A Story of Self-Quarantining at the Lake

Posted on Camille Smith

Like anyone who grew up in the American South, I’ve sung along to the classic “Wagon Wheel” countless times– in my kitchen alone, at a bar where a cover band is playing, and at karaoke with friends attempting to harmonize to the chorus. But if you’d told me that I’d be listening to this song in a rental car journeying from New York City to Alabama in one day, absorbed in the strange truth that the line “made it down the coast in seventeen hours” was real for me, I wouldn’t have believed you. Nevertheless, this was where I found myself on March 21st– on a 7 am to 12 am road trip from my current home to my hometown to escape the epicenter of COVID-19.

The Best Way to Social Distance

As we’re all well aware by now, the COVID-19 pandemic has halted all public life in the U.S. We’re in a state of collective grief over the loss of jobs, loved ones, and at the very least, face-to-face connections. In my New York apartment, my three roommates and I were cramped in a small space. Outside, the virus is rampant, and it has hit working-class neighborhoods in the city disproportionately hard. As the situation persists, it isn’t lost on me how fortunate I am to be able to escape to a lakeside retreat. Here on Wilson Lake in Muscle Shoals Alabama, there’s no shortage of natural attractions and open space — ideal for both social distancing and for reducing stress. If you’re a lake homeowner, you know that a lake house is an ideal getaway from the pressures of everyday life. And in times like these, when “everyday life” is continuously changing, a lake home provides a much-needed sense of peace and consistency.

Trying New Things

In my opinion, the best part about quarantining by a lake is the myriad of opportunities that city life doesn’t allow. One advantage of a small-town, nature-filled environment like Muscle Shoals is the proximity to hiking trails. In The Shoals specifically, a well-known hiking hotspot is the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) trails. Winding around Wilson Lake, these interconnected trails include scenic river views, fields of wildflowers, and long bike paths. Since I was quarantining with two of my best friends, the three of us decided to hit the trails together on a Saturday afternoon. We may have gotten sunburned, but we had a lot of fun.

Since living together, the three of us have also taken advantage of our spare time by cooking. Luckily, my two friends both have subscriptions to New York Times Cooking, and we chose a new recipe for every night of the week so that we’d have something exciting to look forward to after a day of work. Many of these recipes were more adventurous than meals I’d make by myself — I was pleasantly surprised by the anchovies in the pasta pictured above — but the enthusiasm we shared for trying new dishes, as well as our collaboration in the kitchen, made them worth trying. Additionally, having dinner on a screened porch in the cool nighttime air while listening to crickets sing made the dining experience even more pleasant.

Magnificent Views

While working from home in my New York apartment, the view out my first-floor window featured a trash bin, a recycling bin, and an occasional tuxedo cat looking for its next meal. At the lake, my breath is consistently taken away whenever I glance up from my laptop. At around 7:30 pm, the lack of buildings in the distance allows the sunset to take center stage in the sky. Every time, it’s simply gorgeous.

Aside from the lakefront itself, there are plenty of stunning views just outside the back door, such as the nearby Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Though I’m not a golfer myself, it’s a perfect location for playing sports and complying with social distancing as long as you keep one person per golf cart. For me, the course is perfect for daily jogs and games of frisbee with my two friends — while watching out for any incoming golf balls, of course.

Closing Thoughts

In addition to staying physically healthy, it’s especially important during these times to take care of your mental health. Everyone responds differently to stressful situations, and I’ve certainly had down days since quarantine began. However, being at the lake in Muscle Shoals has allowed more opportunities for stress-reducing activities such as spending time in nature, regularly exercising, and simply relaxing. Amid the anxiety, I’m constantly feeling lucky to be here. If you’re considering purchasing a lake home, remember that it’s more than investing in brick and mortar– it’s investing in a space dedicated to unplugging from stress and engaging with nature. That’s a lifestyle that will always stay relevant, even once quarantine ends.

The Science Behind Clear and Murky Lakes

Posted on Alexander Lee
Lake Tahoe clear lake
Photo courtesy of Visit the USA.

Like snowflakes, no lake is exactly like another one. They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and locations. But perhaps the most striking quality of a lake—one of the first things you notice about any body of water—is its color. Lakes can come in all many colors, from the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe to the murkier opacity of many lakes in the Northeast. To be clear, no pun intended, no single color is better than the other, and every lake has its unique benefits. But why is there such a range in color among lakes across the United States?

Continue reading “The Science Behind Clear and Murky Lakes”

Best Shoes for Waterfront Living (Winter/Spring Edition)

Posted on Luke Hanshaw

The worst of winter is behind us, and the first day of spring is finally approaching. That said, March 19th (the first day of spring) is still a few weeks away, and in the meantime, there’s one thing those of us who live on the waterfront need this time of year– a good quality pair of shoes. Whether you’re a hiker, a muck-about, or a fashionista, these best shoes for water will keep you warm, dry, and fashionable for many wet seasons to come without breaking the bank.

For Hiking 

Teva sandals person walking at lake best shoes for water
Photo courtesy of Teva.

Everyone enjoys a trek around the lake, but sometimes it’s too wet and cold to spend hours outside unless we have the right pair of hiking boots. Introducing Teva, a brand whose mission is to “inspire those who crave experiences and connections, in any form they take.” Known for their sport sandals designed to float on water—an excellent investment for summers spent on the waterfront—the brand also carries a number of other options, including hiking boots like the Arrowood Venture Mid Waterproof. “Combining waterproof leather with closed-performance mesh and a waterproof bootie,” this boot also benefits from the comfy Floatlite EVA foam midsole—the same component that makes Teva’s famous sandals float. The brand even has the Arrowood boot for men and children. So slip on a pair, grab your walking stick, and head out to the lake! 

For Mucking Around

Mother and daughter in matching Hunter boots best shoes for water
Photo courtesy of Sunflowers and Stilettos.

Spring means rain, and unfortunately, rain means mud. If hiking isn’t your thing, you’ll still need a quality pair of muck boots, and for that, you can trust Hunter. A good pair of Hunters, like the Refined Slim Fit Tall Rainboots, are the perfect shoes for waterfront living. They’re a choice that will last a lifetime because they’re handmade using high-quality rubber. If you’re uncomfortable with knee-highs, the brand also carries ankle varieties such as the multi-colored Chelsea Boot. Like the Teva brand, Hunter offers styles for the whole family. Finally, this brand even has two royal warrants, the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Especially in lake regions prone to rainy weather, this shoe is a must for any outdoor activity at any time of year. 

For Fashion

Hiking shoes and rain boots are great to have around, but everyone needs a dressier option. After you’re finished hiking or doing chores around the lake house, you might enjoy a night on the town. Why not choose Cougar, a Canadian brand that’s been handcrafting quality shoes for over 70 years? One of the best shoes for water is their “Always Waterproof” line of boots, which include the elegant Colleen Natural Hide Ankle Bootie and the Fargo Leather Ankle Boot—both made with genuine leather. Alternatively, check out Cougar’s Dash Duck Sneaker, available in six colors and for only $45. There’s also the useful yet stylish Ritz Rubber Rain Shoe, which comes with an air mesh insole that’s sure to keep you comfy and dry this spring and next. 

For Home

Cozy winter Ugg slippers in front of fireplace at lake house
Photo courtesy of Racked.

Of course, after a long day filled with the joys of lakefront living, what you really want is to relax and unwind at home. Picture it: your favorite book propped in your lap as soft, cold rain patters on the roof. You’ve had a fantastic day, and now, as it winds to a close, you’re happy and warm from head to toe. Your fuzzy Hadley slippers from Sorel certainly help. These are some of the best shoes for waterfront living that will remind you that life is good on the lake. And tomorrow, you’ll have the perfect footwear to do it all again tomorrow. 

Ready to go for an adventure at the lake? Read our article “Tips for Hiking the Great Outdoors“.

Hearing from Homeowners: Winter Traditions for Lake Living

Posted on Camille Smith
Decorated Christmas tree on boat on lake winter tradition
Photo courtesy of Home is Where the Boat is.

At Lake Homes, we believe that investing in a lake house is about more than the cabin itself– it’s about the relationships and memories that you create in your dream home. By purchasing, renovating, and personalizing your house, you’re setting the stage for countless fun memories with family and friends that will last for years to come.

As the years pass by, you’re likely to cultivate traditions. Whether you embark on canoeing adventures in the Spring, drive a few towns over to watch the leaves change in the Fall, or cook your famous burgers that your kids love in the Summer, these traditions evoke a sense of togetherness and warmth that is at the heart of lake living. At this time of year, with winter in full swing, shared family traditions are often the backbone of this holiday season. 

To gain insight into how lake homeowners celebrate the holidays with their family traditions, we spoke with two women who live on the lake full time. Tiffany Hernandez, author of the lifestyle blog Lake Life State of Mind lives with her husband and teenage son on a lake in Florida. Jenny Block, writer and author of Be that Unicorn, lives with her wife on Lake Livingston in Texas. Both Hernandez and Block understand the unique joys of lake life and were happy to share a glimpse into their personal winter traditions. 

Q: What is your favorite thing to do over the winter holidays at your lake house?

Family sitting around fire pit roasting marshmellows

Hernandez: One of our favorite things to do on the lake over the winter holidays is to make a bonfire! Living in Florida, we have pretty moderate temperatures during the winter and no snow. This allows us to have fun bonfires with hot cocoa and s’ mores. We also pull out our movie screen and projector and watch holiday movies together as a family around the fire. It’s a blast for sure! Our teenage son also takes advantage of this time of the year and will have his own bonfire with band friends. All the kids love coming here to celebrate the holidays!

Block: The most “lake life” thing we do is go to the town’s little Christmas Parade every year, and they have a chili and gumbo cook-off at our home afterward with the neighbors. I bake all sorts of holiday goodies, and my wife mixes up festive drinks. We celebrate the holidays, and the lake and the kind of friends one makes when living on a lake. We call it “the lake family” and it’s probably the best part of lake living!

Q: How do you use decorations in your lake home this time of year?

Jenny Block Be That Unicorn Winter Traditions
Photo courtesy of Jenny Block.

Hernandez:  I love decorating our outdoor table with festive decor so people know we want them to utilize both indoor and outdoor spaces. Oh, and decorating our dock makes everything extra festive!

Block: We have two Christmas trees in our home at the lake. One is filled with glass ornaments, mostly my longtime collection of Christopher Radio Ornaments, and the other is filled with a marvelously eclectic collection. We love having a more formal tree and a more casual one. And since we have two family rooms, it’s perfect! It makes the house feel festive. As for the outdoors, we have a new display this year. Since we live at the lake, in a very laid back community, it’s anything goes when it comes to holiday decorations. Because I have a new book coming out called Be That Unicorn, my wife bought me a giant magical unicorn and put it in the yard with light-up presents, a white tree, and these magic balls filled with light that she made. It’s outrageous and perfect and so much fun!

Q: Do you have hosting traditions for the holidays?

Christmas table setting during night with candles next to Christmas tree
Photo courtesy of Annie Campbell.

Hernandez: We are actually having a holiday party tomorrow, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year to host gatherings with family and friends. Summers in Florida are brutal in terms of the heat and the number of bugs flying around. During the winter, the temperatures drop, making it comfortable outdoors and too cold for the bugs! It’s an absolutely perfect combination. I love having a bonfire set-up outside to utilize both the indoor and outdoor areas of our lake home.

Block:  Living on the lake is a different lifestyle because it’s slower-paced, and our neighbors have friends and relatives who come into town and want to join us for dinner. It’s fun to have odd, eclectic groups of people over for a holiday meal. I love setting up a layered table with placements on top of table runners that evoke a happy sense of abundance.

Whether it’s setting up a bonfire for the family or embellishing your front yard with unique decorations, there are countless ways to spend the winter holidays with your friends and family at your Lake House. Thank you to these two women for sharing their traditions — we hope you create your own!

For more ideas on how to celebrate the holiday season at the lake, read “5 Tips on Hosting for the Holidays“.

Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake of Big Fun in the Poconos

Posted on Cary Estes

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The area in the Pocono Mountains that Native Americans called “the stream of swift and slow water” is now more like “the lake of big fun.” But no matter how you wish to translate it, Lake Wallenpaupack is the focal point of a charming community that offers plenty of recreation and entertainment options for tourists and residents alike.

The expansive 5,700-acre lake has 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline, providing easy access to the water. Boats abound during the warmer months, and fishing is popular throughout the year. And all this takes place deep within the breathtaking beauty of the tree-filled Poconos.

“One of the great things about this lake is the natural beauty of the shoreline,” says Steve Gelderman, co-owner of Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours. “Everywhere you look, you can see these landscapes along with wildlife like bald eagles and ducks. You can really enjoy the natural beauty of the lake.”

Wally Lake Fest

Wally Lake Fest with tens of boats during the summer
Wally Lake Fest, Lake Wallenpaupack, PA

Area residents add a little buzz to this beauty with a series of festivals extolling life in Wally World. The big event is Wally Lake Fest, held each August with the support of numerous local businesses and mountain resorts. Vendors take over the shoreline around the town of Hawley while bands play on a floating stage surrounded by a flotilla of boats and kayaks, creating a sort of Wallypalooza.

“It’s a call to the local community to showcase lake life,” says Rory O’Fee, director of marketing for Woodlach Resort and one of the event’s founders. “The music on the lake is a cool spectacle to see. And that’s just one part of what’s developed into a very popular festival.”

Hawley Winterfest

Photo courtesy of The French Manor

The fun doesn’t stop once the temperature drops, either. The city of Hawley hosts a pre-Christmas event called the Hawley Winterfest, which honors the season the old-fashioned way with campfires and horse-drawn carriage rides. “It harkens back to the town’s historic, Victorian-era roots,” O’Fee says. “The town beams for this weekend of nostalgic fanfare.”

Wally Ice Fest

Wally Ice Fest, Lake Wallenpaupack, PA

Then, a month later, in January, once winter truly arrives and the lake freezes over, the area celebrates with Wally Ice Fest. Eight hockey rinks, 12 curling rinks, and a 9-hole golf course are created on top of the lake, along with spaces for vendors and music.

“It’s another event that shows the strong community we have around the lake,” O’Fee says. “Everybody comes together to support one another. It’s small-town America on a big lake.”

Outdoor Recreation

Kayaks at Lake Wallenpaupack shoreline

Of course, Lake Wallenpaupack also has plenty of places where you can simply get away from it all. There are six public recreation areas featuring hundreds of acres of forest lands, wildlife, trails, campsites, and boat slips. The area also is home to the Lacawac Sanctuary, a pristine 556-acre nature preserve with 8 miles of hiking trails.

“It’s still not heavily developed around the lake, so it feels like being out in the country,” says James Hamill, director of public relations at the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “But you also have a lot of opportunities to enjoy culture, music, arts, antique shops, art galleries. Everything compliments each other.“

So many people have fond memories of coming back year after year to this huge lake. It’s just a beautiful place to recreate and fish and hike, with no shortage of things to see and do. If you want to live in an area where you can enjoy it all, Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the top places.”

To see more about Lake Wallenpaupack, visit our home listings here.

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.