This week, the kids and I got an unexpected treat — a Lake Gaston vacation! Though we live only 77 miles away, according to my GPS, we had never ventured to the lake before. I’m such an ocean beach lover, I just couldn’t imagine a lake vacation being half as fun. I was wrong!
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| Lake Gaston quiets as evening falls |
When my friend from high school called to invite us to stay at her vacation rental for a few days, I couldn’t say no! After all, research is important, right?
We packed the car and hit the road. Lake life here is special. Lake Gaston offers all the water sports: swimming, boating, floating, tubing, kayaking and SUP. The lake house we stayed at had a sun deck, swim deck, firepit and lots of open porch space to take in the views and the lovely lake breezes. My kids enjoyed jumping into the lake, swimming and floating on rafts. I enjoyed relaxing in the sun and listening to their shouts and whoops, reminding me of Huck Finn.
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| Kids on the swim deck and adults on the sun deck. NICE vacation for all! |
Tips to rent a lake house
- VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner)
- Lakehouse Vacations
- HomeAway
- Specialized sites featuring rentals at specific locations offer homes too. Try googling “lake house rental”
As always, make sure you understand exactly what you’re renting.
- Are cable and utilities included?
- Is the rental fee comprehensive or are there add-on fees for guests over a certain number, cleaning, key rental, etc.?
- Which amenities are included (the boat looks great in the photo, but it won’t be much fun if you can’t use it), pool tables, board games, certain areas of the home and property? Read the fine print to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Does the rental fee include sheets, towels, toiletries or kitchen basics (soap, dishwasher detergent, paper towels)?
- Talk directly with the rental agent or owner (email is fine) to firm up all the details. You may be able to negotiate a better rate!
Courtney G says
July 28, 2012 at 6:16 pmI like lakes too! That is something I could do I think…live on a lake, and even when they freeze in cold weather, they can still be fun!
mail4rosey says
July 28, 2012 at 11:34 amThis is gorgeous. Water just makes a place feel vacation-y, doesn't it?? I love to take the kids to the lake.
jenny@atasteoftravel says
July 28, 2012 at 10:24 amI love that I'm learning about a whole lot of new places that I've not heard of before. LKake Gaston looks very relaxing
Columba Lisa Smith says
July 28, 2012 at 2:58 amLooks so relaxing! I need a lake to go jump in right now!
Becca @ R We There Yet Mom? says
July 27, 2012 at 9:54 pmI grew up with our family having a lake house and it is the PERFECT place to get away and relax!
Thanks for linking up this week!
Mommys Juice says
July 27, 2012 at 8:27 pmGood to know about! I actually grew up around the area as well and have never heard of it. New follower from VB!
Amanda says
July 27, 2012 at 8:18 pmbeautiful pictures, it looks like a great trip!
Family Travels on a Budget says
July 27, 2012 at 10:55 pmYou know, I actually grew up on a small lake — nothing like Lake Gaston — and it was wonderful to run through the willow trees, jump off the dock, get pulled in an inner tube behind the row boat (no motors allowed on the lake which provided our drinking water). Maybe I enjoyed it so much because I reconnected with my early days 🙂
Those memories have been coming back all day.
maq203 says
July 27, 2012 at 9:57 pmI'm definitely more of a lake gal–I've been going to a lake my whole life during the summer. Sounds like the perfect getaway–and so close to home!
Family Travels on a Budget says
July 27, 2012 at 9:50 pmThanks! I've actually got a post in the wings on the exciting button museum in South Carolina! You never know who might just adore buttons enough to want to visit! 🙂
The Blissful Beet says
July 27, 2012 at 9:05 pmOh I love lake holidays and the house looks awesome! I so miss those times of escaping to unheard of lakes. I like that you are a wealth of off the beaten path info.
Audra Michelle says
July 27, 2012 at 8:46 pmLOVE lake vacations! We have gone to Presque Isle, PA yearly since, well, my MOTHER was a baby! This place looks gorgeous!
Family Travels on a Budget says
July 27, 2012 at 8:27 pmIt was. A surprise trip to spend time with a dear friend and her extended family. Times like these make the world just a little smaller, in that heart-warming, old fashioned way!
Karen