Tag: things to do

Best Lake Vacation Destinations for Relaxation

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Just like any city, lakeside towns all have their own unique feel. The area’s food, community, culture, and amenities all blend together to create the town’s character. So, when you’re seeking a lakeside vacation for a specific reason — partying, relaxing, adventuring — you’ll want to choose a retreat that caters to those interests. That’s why we’re starting this new series. At Lake Homes, we’re featuring the best lake vacation destinations for a variety of purposes. Today, we’re focused on lake areas for relaxation. We’re featuring calm, peaceful environments for those looking to lay back and chill. You’ll enjoy both clear views and a clear mind on these lakes.

Traverse City, Michigan

Photo courtesy of recreation.gov

Located on the shores of Northern Lake Michigan, Traverse City is becoming a hot spot for wealthy millennials. Although this lake is great for all seasons, it’s especially beautiful in the summer. At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, you’ll find sandy beaches with dunes stretching for miles, overlooking the expansive sights of Lake Michigan. In addition to the calming essence of sandy beaches, Traverse City also offers wineries, craft breweries, and restaurants. While shopping at boutiques at Grand Traverse Commons, the regal feel of the buildings will make you wonder if you’ve stepped into a castle.

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Photo courtesy of Spa Shiki

You may only know of Lake of The Ozarks from the famous Party Cove, a name given to Anderson Hollow Cove due the fraternity-esque parties on the water. But there’s so much more to Lake of the Ozarks. Attractions like Big Surf Waterpark, golf courses, cute coffee shops, spas, and wineries make this lake a target destination for fun and relaxation. In particular, this lake is known for its wellness scene — med spas like Spa Shiki, yoga studios, and Swedish massages, are popular in this area. At Lake of the Ozarks, you’ll find both excitement and luxury.

Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana

Photo courtesy of Curbed New Orleans

New Orleans is not the only highlight of Louisiana. For ultimate relaxation, step away from the crowds and head to Mandeville, a laid-back city where you can stroll along Lake Pontchartrain on the world’s longest continuous bridge. With an average depth of only 10-16 feet, the sunlight can directly reach the floor of the lake, promoting an abundance of marine life. For history buffs, this area also has historic value — it’s home to the National World War II Museum, located along the lake’s shoreline.

Finger Lakes, New York

Photo courtesy of Planetware.com

In the Finger Lakes region of New York, you’ll experience the calming serenity of the outdoors — perhaps with a glass of wine in hand. This region is home to more than a hundred wine vineyards. The largest concentration is lined along highway 414 on the eastern side of Lake Seneca. In particular, Belhurst Estate in Geneva and Thirsty Owl in Ovid offer spectacular waterfront vistas, so you can sip while taking in the views. While you’re enjoying nature, be sure to check out the many natural pools, gorges, state parks (Taughannock Falls is a popular choice), and waterfalls that this region has to offer. Soon, the “blue mind” state will put your mind at ease.

Rangeley Lake, Maine

Photo courtesy of Rangeley Lakes Maine

On Rangeley Lake, Maine, the charming New England towns will make you feel like you’re on the quaint, neighborly set of Gilmore Girls. Lined with antique shops, bed and breakfast spots, and quintessentially Maine scenery, you’ll feel welcomed and relaxed as soon as you arrive. This lake is especially great for summer, where you’ll find warm weather without the humidity.

Lake Lure, North Carolina

Photo courtesy of blueridgeimpressions.wordpress.com

This lake lures you in for a reason — pun intended. This gorgeous man-made lake sits on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with famous views from Chimney Rock. If climbing isn’t for you, you can opt for a relaxing walk along the boardwalk, crossing Flowering Bridge. You’ll also find a beautiful beach open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Besides the picturesque scenery, Lake Lure is only 30 miles from Asheville, North Carolina — known for its artsy, laid-back energy and breweries.

Lake George, New York

Photo courtesy of planetware.com

Situated in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George is an excellent spot for relaxation. The whole region is full of laid-back lake towns, such as the historic Bolton and Ticonderoga. For low-key, relaxing outdoor activities, there are plenty of waterfall hikes, boat rentals, and other activities for sitting back and enjoying the lake. For sandy shores, look no further than the Million Dollar Beach which showcases beautiful scenery on Lake George’s south shore. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury experience, check out The Sagamore, a resort situated on a relatively uninhabited portion of the lake. 

We hope you enjoy your next vacation on these relaxing lakes!

Lake Home Activities for the Winter Season

Posted on Mary Walters
Cozy winter lake home constructed by Mark Tanner Construction
Photo courtesy of Mark Tanner Construction.

We all love the hustle and bustle around the lake during summertime. The sun and fun seem never-ending, and there’s an abundance of activities to keep busy. Then, as soon as the water cools and the leaves begin to fall, we might suddenly get hit with the winter blues. However, even though summer is gone and winter is here, there are ways to still enjoy your lake home. Keep reading to see our winter lake activities you should try this season!

Pick Up a Book

Person reading a book during winter

Enjoy the solitude of your lake home and enjoy one of our favorite winter lake activities by catching up on that pile of books that you’ve been neglecting. It always feels like we have lists of books that we should read, but life gets in the way. Now is the best time to delve into another world, read the biography of your favorite historical figure, or enjoy the romance novel of the year. Whatever you’re inclined to pick up, do it! If it’s not your cup of tea, there are loads more books from which to choose.

Shine a Light

Small tiny home furnace during winter

According to a study conducted by Harvard, the leading cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition in which winter months catalyze depressive symptoms, is the lack of sunlight. Thankfully, there are now lamps and lightbulbs that are designed to emit light like the sun. These are considered to be the best way to combat the low energy that accompanies SAD. For a bit of warmth to accompany this natural light, you can always opt for a classic fire in your lake home den. There’s something so cathartic about snuggling up under a warm blanket and watching the burning logs in the fireplace.

Try a New Hobby

Knitting a beanie fall

Put your extra time to good use and try something new! It’s always exciting to start a new project or a hobby that has piqued your interest. One our quintessential winter lake activities is knitting. The hardest part of any new project is getting started, so go ahead and pick up the yarn, candle wax and scents, or jewelry making materials and pursue your new hobby!

Clean up Your Home

Home cleaning supply spray bottle

If you’d like to use these winter months in a practical, productive way, consider rearranging your lake home or cleaning out those pesky junk drawers. Don’t wait for the spring cleaning season. Focus on clean-up and organization now so that when it warms up, you can enjoy all your impressive lake views with a clean home.

Spend a Cozy Weekend with Friends

Three friends casually drinking wine at the lake winter lake activities

Another reason for the winter blues is the solitude of this time of year. To combat those feelings first, remind yourself that the quiet time is only for a season. Literally. Sometimes it’s good for us all to take the time alone and reflect. Although the loneliness of the season can get to you, be encouraged that you can reverse the seasonal woes by doing one of our favorite lake activities: inviting all of your friends over to the lake. Whether that’s for a fun dinner night or quiet, cozy weekend, you can make new memories with your old friends, sitting together and chatting over the quietness of winter with the lake in the background. Through these moments, you can look back at this season as not a time of boredom, but as a time of relationship building.

Whatever activity you may choose, you won’t look back on this season with regret!

“Hygge”: Bringing this Cozy Concept into your Lake Home

Posted on Maggie Keith Gerakos
Image by s-wloczyk2 from Pixabay

Soft blankets, hot tea, time spent relaxing around a fire, and scented candles– what do all these things have in common? Besides sounding like wonderful, relaxing ways to spend time (especially in chilly February), a comfy, cozy, state of being can be summed up by one Danish word: “hygge.” In Danish culture, hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is an integral part of thriving and staying happy throughout the winter months. During a time when fewer hours of sunlight can get us all down, take a queue from the Danish. Your lake home is the perfect place to incorporate this Scandinavian art of being cozy, happy, and feeling your best self for the rest of the winter — because all seasons at the lake should be enjoyed. Read on for small ways you can adopt hygge into your lakeside lifestyle this winter.

Create Your Own Nook

hygge nook in Incline Village, Nevada lake home
Photo courtesy of Mountain Living.

Nothing quite says comfort like creating your own cozy lakeside nook – for reading, journaling, knitting – whatever it is that you enjoy doing to relax. Find some throw blankets and extra soft pillows to set an idyllic scene that makes you want to curl up and find your slice of heaven. Create your hygge-inspired space near a window in your home, and enjoy all the natural beauty the lake has to offer. Having a space that makes you appreciate the simple act of getting deep into a good book is what hygge is all about. Make a soothing cup of your favorite herbal tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and let yourself fall into a happy, healthy rhythm. If you’d like to go the extra mile and keep the cozy energy going all year round, consider installing a window seat near your favorite look-out spot!

Include Some Friends

You can live out your hygge aspirations while being social with your lakeside community, too. In fact, to the Danish, the community is key to keeping spirits high throughout the winter – and seeing as Scandinavian countries are consistently voted the happiest in the world, we’re all ears! Host a game night with friends and family, cook a delicious meal together with locally produced ingredients, or spend time connecting with far-away loved ones over the phone. Conversation and togetherness are valuable tenets of hygge that keep us vibrating at a healthy frequency throughout the cold months. Hosting nights-in during the winter also gives you a great excuse to show off your indoor winter decor, and even start planning for fun activities out on the lake, come spring.

Image by OurWhisky Foundation from Pixabay

The best thing is, hygge is meant to be enjoyed indoors. While outdoor activity plans can be thrown off course due to unpredictable winter weather, you can bet a snow storm will make your plans to journal by candlelight that much more delightful. The joys of having a lake home are season-less, and you should enjoy all your home has to offer you – outside, and inside.

Your lake home is the perfect place to get into the spirit of hygge this winter. By leaning into being cozy and taking a breather, you can allow yourself to appreciate the art of doing less and enjoy your magnificent surroundings all year long. The only thing standing between “cabin fever” and joyful, healthy home life this winter is perspective. So put on some wool socks, bring some aromatherapy to the mix with your most-loved scented candles, and enjoy every minute.

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”!

Lake Clean-up Events Near You!

Posted on Staff

July is the official “Lakes Appreciation Month,” but you can play your part in keeping America’s favorite freshwater bodies clean and healthy year-round with these lake clean-up events near you.

Lake Jordan, Alabama

The Lake Jordan Homeowners & Boat Owners Association, better known as the Lake Jordan HOBO, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the reservoir’s recreational opportunities, water quality, and cleanliness.

Each April, community members and volunteers from the surrounding area take to Bonner’s Landing Boat Ramp to participate in the HOBO’s annual lake clean-up day.

Complete with a catered lunch and free t-shirts provided by Alabama Power, the event is one of the largest on the lake all year.

Since its inaugural run in 1991, the Lake Jordan HOBO’s clean-up day has contributed to the collection of more than 15 million pounds of debris across Alabama’s lakes.

To learn more about the Lake Jordan community, or to get involved in the next HOBO clean-up event, please visit https://www.lakejordanhobo.org/.

Lake Gaston, Virginia

Lake Gaston spans an impressive 20,300 acres across both Virginia and North Carolina. The Lake Gaston Association serves as a voice for business and property owners across state lines and throughout the five counties the lake touches.

In addition to keeping members up to date with Lake Gaston happenings, the Association also advocates for the lake’s protection and preservation through its Lake Clean-Up Committee.

In June, Association members, waterfront property owners, and lake-area shops and businesses participate in a lake-wide clean-up event by removing trash along Lake Gaston’s shoreline and taking to the water in kayaks and canoes to remove trash and other debris.

For more information, contact the LGA at LakeCleanup@LakeGastonAssoc.com or 888-586-6577.

Lake Hamilton, Arkansas

The Trash Bash Council has one mission: keep Arkansas’ lakes beautiful.

The Council organizes two annual events appropriately named “Trash Bash for Cash” and the “Trash Bash.”

“Trash Bash for Cash”, held each spring, is a four-hour fundraising event during which teams work together to clean specific areas across Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine.

After the four hours are up, teams drop off their bags of trash and trash-bag-sized items — like busted coolers and fishing nets – in a designated area to be counted by members of the Trash Bash Council.

For each bag or item collected, the Council pays $5 to put toward additional events throughout the year.

Each team can raise up to $200 through Council contributions alone, but members can increase their fundraising potential by pledging donations of their own.

In the fall, the Trash Bash Council hosts THE “Trash Bash,” a day-long clean-up effort on the shores and roads surrounding Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine, and the Ouachita River.

Named the largest clean-up effort in Arkansas by Keep Arkansas Beautiful, the “Trash Bash” also includes a catered BBQ lunch, prize drawings, free t-shirts, and live entertainment.

Visit arkansastrashbash.org for more on how you can get involved.

Fourth of July Festivals for Your Family

Posted on Staff

Flashy fireworks, hot dogs, boat parades, and live music—the makings of the best Fourth of July festival around.

father and son on dock holding American flag

As far west as Idaho or in the most northeastern corner of the U.S. in Maine, you’re sure to find an Independence Day celebration worth shouting about.

But in case you don’t know where to start your search, we recommend you look to your lakes for family-friendly July Fourth festivities you won’t forget.

Coeur d’Alene Lake, Idaho

Spanning 33,000 acres in Idaho’s Spokane County, Coeur d’Alene Lake is no stranger to fantastic Fourth of July fun, and neither is its nearby namesake city.

Each year, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce kicks off the festivities at 10 a.m. with the Coeur d’Alene Fourth of July Parade.

After its conclusion at 1 p.m., nearly 40,000 parade participants and spectators take to the city park to enjoy a variety of food vendors, craft booths, and live music.

Others enjoy hiking and biking through Coeur d’Alene National Forest, participating in 5Ks and Fun-Runs, and cruising along the lake’s 135 miles of shoreline.

Lake lovers also take the opportunity to fish Lake Coeur d’Alene’s healthy populations of sport fish, including salmon, bass, trout, and crappie.

As the sun sets, the Coeur d’Alene Resort offers an exclusive “Steak and Sparklers” dinner and private concert on the property’s front lawn where attendees can get a front-row seat to the evening’s grand finale.

Finally, the day’s events culminate at dusk as the Chamber of Commerce commences with its 22-minute, spectacular fireworks display over the water.

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Larger-than-life lakes often usher in larger-than-life celebrations. Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks is no exception.

Fourth of July fireworks over the lake

Across its 54,000 acres, Fourth of July festivities range from pirate-themed-fireworks cruises, live concerts from Missouri’s favorite cover band “Contagious” and trips to the Dickerson Park Zoo for their annual “Red, White, and Zoo: Military Appreciation Day.”

On the water, Tan-Tar-A Resort, a Margaritaville property, invites guests to take a ride on their Tropic Islands Cruises yacht for July 4th fireworks over the main channel at dusk.

Captain Ron’s Bar and Grill also offers a fantastic fireworks show for guests to enjoy while they groove to live music, dine, drink, and play beach volleyball.

Of course, the Lake of the Ozarks sees plenty of boating and fishing on the Fourth of July, too. And with average temperatures of 84 degrees Fahrenheit, swimming is another fun way to spend Independence Day.

Other popular Fourth of July activities include camping, biking, and horseback riding in Lake of the Ozarks State Park and exploring nearby Bridal Cave.

Lake Barkley, Kentucky

Featuring 1,000 miles of shoreline in five counties across two states, Lake Barkley is another July 4th force to be reckoned with.

In addition to entertaining hundreds of people on its 58,000 acres, Lake Barkley also hosts a number of fireworks displays including the Lake Barkley State Resort Park show.

Held on the beach, this fireworks extravaganza is free to the public and features vendors selling a variety of foods and glow-in-the-dark memorabilia.

Also hosted during the first weekend of July is the Cadiz “Cruise Cruz-In!,” a vintage car show and community event that takes place in historic downtown Cadiz on Main Street.

Celebrate the Fourth of July weekend with free cornhole, live music, door prizes and BBQ. Satisfy your need for speed with cars, trucks, and motorcycles from “the good ‘ole days.”

And don’t forget to pack your fishing poles and gear for some of the best crappie and bass fishing in the state!

Moosehead Lake, Maine

Located in southeastern Maine, Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in the state at nearly 75,000 acres in Piscataquis and Somerset counties.

A hot spot for eco-tourists, die-hard sportsmen, and urbanites seeking haven from the hustle and bustle of the big city, the lake is also popular among America’s most patriotic.

boy and girl feet hanging of the end of boat with American flag

Start your celebration with the Town of Greenville and Destination Moosehead Lake by taking part in their annual Fourth of July spectacular! This all-day event is free to the public and includes a parade, craft fairs, and the biggest fireworks show in Piscataquis County.

For a more personalized celebration, spend the day whitewater rafting on one of Moosehead Lake’s nearby rivers; fishing for salmon, brook trout, and lake trout; or enjoying a scenic 40-minute flight over the lake’s majestic waters.

Finally, top off the day’s events with an evening cruise on the Katahdin, a 1914 steamboat that tours Moosehead Lake’s southern end.

From its decks, Katahdin riders experience the lake’s best views of Fourth of July fireworks over the water and an assortment of beverages, sandwiches, and snacks.

And the best part? The fun doesn’t stop after the fireworks have faded and the smoke has all cleared. In fact, these lakes continue to offer countless opportunities for making family memories year-round.

For more ideas on family-friendly activities at the lake, be sure to read our article “Weekend Fun: Charity Poker Runs Across the U.S.”!

Lake Movies You Must See

Posted on Staff

Article co-written by LakeHomes.com intern Sarah Wright

Ah, remember when times were simpler? Sometimes we all wish life were a little bit more like the movies.

Step into the silver screen this summer with these lake-centric blockbuster movie hits and their real-life filming locations.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Starring: Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze

On Location: Mountain Lake, VA, and Lake Lure, NC

In the summer of 1963, Baby (Jennifer Gray) and her family arrive at Kellerman’s resort for what is sure to be an uneventful vacation. But when she meets Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), the resort’s smooth-talking dance instructor, her summer takes an unexpected turn.

dirty dancing movie poster, lake movie filmed in NC and VA

From ill-fated dance lessons with Johnny to forbidden love, Baby transitions from an awkward and clumsy girl to a confident and graceful lady.

With Jennifer Gray’s empowering performance, audiences watch as Baby finds herself in the summer of ‘63 and learns that “nobody puts Baby in the corner.”

Our first lake of the silver screen, North Carolina’s Lake Lure, played host to several scenes in this ’80s classic, including the famous final dance scene and all shots of the resort’s staff cabins.

Each year, the lake hosts a  Dirty Dancing Festival to raise awareness and support for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge. The event includes a screening of the movie, a lake lift competition, and the “Kellerman’s Resort” talent show.

Mountain Lake in Virginia was also featured in the film, with it’s Mountain Lake Lodge serving as the fictitious Kellerman’s Resort. The venue is still open today and regularly hosts Dirty Dancing-themed weekends, complete with dance lessons and a movie-inspired scavenger hunt.

However, one thing visitors won’t experience at the lodge is the lake, which has since dried up.

Lake Effects (2012)

Starring: Scottie Thompson, Jane Seymour, and Madeline Zima

On Location: Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Lake Effects movie poster, filmed on movie lake Smith Mountain Lake, VA

After moving to Los Angeles in pursuit of her dream to become a big-time attorney, Sara vowed never to return to her home on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.

But following the death of her father, she is left with no choice but to go home and settle his estate.

Through her emotional journey and reconnection with her sister (Madeline Zima) and their mother Vivian (Jane Seymour), Sara is reminded of the love her family has for her, and that there’s really no place like home.

With idyllic scenes of Smith Mountain Lake throughout the movie, this Hallmark original will have you dreaming of days along the water’s edge.

Other flicks also filmed on this movie lake include What About Bob and Medic Zero.

Nell (1994)

Starring: Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, and Natasha Richardson

On Location: Fontana Lake, North Carolina

When her mother dies, Nell (Jodie Foster) is left to raise herself, alone in an isolated cabin on Fontana Lake. Years later, Dr. Jerome Lovell (Liam Neeson) discovers Nell hiding in the rafters of her secret home.

Nell Movie Poster, filmed on movie lake Fontana Lake, C=Nc

He quickly discovers Nell communicates using a language known only to her and has never experienced life outside the North Carolina mountains.

Through this captivating story, Dr. Lovell and psychologist Dr. Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson)  take Nell on a whirlwind journey from an isolated feral child, to a woman of the modern world.

The movie was filmed on location at the real Fontana Lake, located on the southern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Here park visitors can enjoy hiking trails with amazing views of mountains, rivers, and waterfalls.

A Month By the Lake (1995)

Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, and Uma Thurman

On Location: Lake Como, Lombardia, Italy

Her family vacation spot for 16 years, Lake Como has been the site of countless happy memories for Miss Bentley (Vanessa Redgrave), that is until her father dies.

When she returns to Lake Como to mourn and heal, it seems to Miss Bentley that the only people who speak her language are beautiful Miss Beaumont (Uma Thurman) — a recent finishing school dropout who is only there to have some fun — and handsome bachelor Major Wilshaw (Edward Fox).

A complicated love triangle soon forms between the three, crafting a clever romantic comedy best enjoyed by the lakeside.

Filmed across the pond on the real-life Lake Como, “A Month by the Lake” joins “Casino Royale,” “Ocean’s Twelve,” and “Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones” as movies made on this popular movie lake.

Grab the popping corn and snuggle in to enjoy scenes from these great movie lakes!

Can’t Miss Events on Jackson Lake, GA

Posted on Staff

Jackson Lake is a wonderful, moderately sized lake located only one hour from the heart of Atlanta.

It features a tight knit community, anchored by the Jackson Lake Homeowner’s Association (JLHA).

This group meets four times a year, and their main goals include promoting fellowship, education, communication and improving the quality of life at Jackson Lake.

The JLHA also plays host to many of the lake’s most exciting events throughout year, including the following events in 2016:

purple, yellow and pink sunset over open water

Lake Cleanups

February 20th | May 14th | August 6th | November 19th

A clean lake is without a doubt the most enjoyable lake. Volunteer your time to make Jackson Lake looks its best year round.

In addition to cleaning up the lake and meeting all your neighbors, you will also be treated to a free lunch!

Cleanups start at Lloyd Shoals Dam on the dates listed above, all starting at 8:30 a.m.

Don’t forget to bring a pair of boots and some work gloves!

Paddle the Rivers

April 30th – South River | July 9th – Alcovy | September 10th – Tussahaw

Just as the title suggests – bring anything that you can paddle! That includes kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards.

Make your pickup reservations by emailing JLHAReservations@gmail.com.

Poker Run

June 18th

Poker runs are fairly common across the south, particularly during the summer months when everyone is out boating in full force.

It involves traveling by boat to each of the 5 sponsor’s docks, picking up a playing card, then finishing up at Reasor’s Landing.

At this point you have a “poker hand” and the boat with the best hand wins!

The cost to participate will be $25 per hand, and proceeds will be used to promote boating safety and the use of a designated skipper around Jackson Lake.

For more information contact michelle_turgeon@yahoo.com.

These are just a few of the events taking place across Jackson Lake this upcoming spring and summer.

For more information about other exciting events, such as the July 4th Boat Parade, feel free to reach out to Wally Cawthon.

Wally is the local lake expert and the number one real estate agent on the lake! See Wally’s profile on LakeHomes.com and visit his website for more details.