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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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!
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.”
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.”
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Located in northern Idaho, Lake Coeur d’Alene dazzles even the most devout land lovers with its centuries-old history and breathtaking natural beauty.
Fed by the Coeur d’Alene and Saint Joe rivers, Lake Coeur d’Alene is the second largest, naturally occurring lake in the region, with a shoreline stretching more than 100 miles.
Photo courtesy of Lake Homes Realty
A Look at Lake Coeur d’Alene History
Lake Coeur d’Alene’s story began long before North America’s first inhabitants occupied the land, forming as glaciers melted and flooded the area during the last ice age.
Later the Coeur d’Alene Native American tribe occupied the lake as well as more than four million acres of land in Washington, Montana, and Idaho.
Today, the Coeur d’Alene people own the southern third of Lake Coeur d’Alene and its submerged lands, and several miles of the Saint Joe River and its submerged lands, as part of the tribe’s protected reservation.
European settlers arrived in the early 1800s, bringing with them the fur-trading industry; and by 1887, the town of Coeur d’Alene was established.
Lake Coeur d’Alene has changed significantly in both size and shape since its early days, largely due to Post Dam Falls operations, which caused several small lakes to merge into its present-day form.
Today, the lake continues to serve as a major component in Kootenai County’s lumber industry and as a recreational hub for tourists and residents alike.
Hit the Scene on Coeur d’Alene
Lake Coeur d’Alene invites patrons to swim, fish, waterski, and jet ski along its 25-mile length.
The bottom of the lake is rich with sunken cars, steamboats, and other vessels, making it a popular place for diving.
Whether for adventures above or below Lake Coeur d’Alene’s surface, Coeur d’Alene Cruises offers lake enthusiasts scenic daytime tours, shipwreck dives, romantic sunset dinner cruises, and more.
World-class amenities await on dry land at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, famous for being the home of the world’s only floating golf green.
Located on the lake’s north shore, this 4-star resort also features a luxury spa and is surrounded by posh dining, shopping, and a thriving nightlife scene.
The Lake Coeur d’Alene area is also home to some of the nation’s finest golf courses and birdwatching.
Lake Coeur d’Alene Real Estate
Coeur d’Alene Lake is the largest overall lake real estate market in Idaho, with current listings valued at more than $237 million.
According to the LakeHomes.com 2019 Summer Lake Market Report, there are approximately 319 properties for sale on Lake Coeur d’Alene, or 102 lake home listings and 217 land listings.
The average home price in this market is $1.7 million, the highest in the state.
With Coeur d’Alene’s rich history, mountainous beauty, and many scenic wonders, the demand for real estate in the market surrounding this lake will certainly continue to grow.
The dog days of summer are HERE, so it’s time for a reminder about your role in helping every member of your household beat the heat.
Stop sweating it and try out these wag-tastic tips for keeping your furry loved ones cool!
Keep ‘em Hydrated
Dogs and cats don’t have sweat glands in the
same way that people do, which is why a lot of their body temperature
regulation is done through panting. When your pet is panting heavily, it is in
danger of becoming dehydrated.
Because you’re the one with opposable thumbs, it
falls on you to keep your fur-babies’ water bowls full. Adding ice to the bowl
helps to cool things down and can keep your pet entertained.
Another way to help your pets with beating the summer heat is by installing a doggy door to allow them to go freely between the outdoors for fun in the sun and quenching their thirst at the lake’s edge.
Be cautious, however, since some bodies of water can contain microorganisms that can be bad for your pet’s health.
Take a Swim
Taking a swim with your pet in your favorite lake will bring down body temperature and is one of the quickest ways to help your pets with beating the summer heat.
But before you dive in, make sure your pet is
prepared. Don’t assume every dog knows how to swim instinctively; particularly
those with big chests and tiny legs. Certain builds and breeds can struggle in
the water and might require an animal life vest to enjoy the lake. Stay close
initially until you’re sure your pet is a natural swimmer.
Also, think about how they will get into and out
of the water. Access is often achieved by simply jumping from your home’s deck
or dock into the lake, so you should make sure your structures are free of
protruding nails and screws that could injure your pets when they jump.
Access to an exit from the water is very
important. If your dock lacks stairs, you may want to add a ramp to the nearby
shore.
And be sure to check the water level to make
sure it is deep enough for your pets to jump into the water safely. Submerged
hazards are just as dangerous for Fido as they are for you.
Provide Some Shade
Providing shade for your pet in the warmest parts of the day is important for beating the summer heat.
Shade trees are an instinctive choice for many pets who need to cool down. But if your lake home is short on natural shade, you can create a fur-friendly corner of your shaded deck by setting up a small fan, a water bowl and a cool mat or wet towel to lie on.
You can set up a similarly shady spot away from
the house with a big beach or market umbrella to produce artificial shade.
Pets are important members of the family.
Following these simple tips can keep them healthy and let them enjoy the lake
as much as their human companions.
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.
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.
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.
