Lake Buel County Cottage, private waterfront, peace and quiet

When it came time to finally coordinate and schedule our first annual "Girls Week", this cottage launched our tradition and set the bar for subsequent annual gatherings. Some days we had alot of people together who floated in for a day or two. Other days, we had just two people. Whatever the activities of the day, this rustic cottage worked for us. Lois and Bruce were absolutely lovely and accommodating hosts. Lake Buel is a jewel and having various lake toys there added to the fun. Ask Lois as she witnessed our "Ride Shamu - The Blow up Whale" comeptition. This is a "5-star fun" and rare cottage experience, away from it all and definitely in the woods, quiet experience (save the soothing sounds of nature all in earhshot) yet close to the quaint southern Berkshire communities. Assuming you enjoy the song of a Chick-a-dee, you can soak it all up right here.

When my daughter Tabitha suggested a cabin in the woods, seven hours from Ottawa on a small lake near Great Barrington MA, I must admit I was skeptical. Although I have pleasant memories having been a cottager in my youth, I knew, as an adult, there was the distinct possibility of “cabin fever” setting in early. But, it was family and so off we went!

I always marvel at the way small US towns, or any small town for that matter, are named. I thought, if there was a GREAT BARRINGTON, was there a mediocre BARRINGTON close by . . . My wife and I chuckled as we drove into town. You only have to go there once and you feel like you belong. Truly, we not only rented The Little Cottage, we rented the town for the week we were there!

Upon arrival at Lake Buel and The Little Cottage, rented to us by Lois and Bruce Brown, we were introduced to our cabin for the first time. It was long and narrow, refurbished, added onto, quirky and perfect for the 6 of us. We would make it home for a week and enjoy the memories forever.

We quickly settled into the cottager’s routine of eating, cleaning up, reading, playing games and preparing for the next meal. This past summer has been a time of transition for me, having resigned from my position of 18 years as Vice President Marketing and Business Development, and I decided to take the summer off to reenergize, reflect, and renew my working spirit. I found that peace I was looking for at the Lake. All our days at Lake Buel, seemingly, begin and end with the Lake, from a serene early morning swim to a quiet ride on the Brown’s pontoon boat where we reflected on the day’s events and told embellished stories of our past.

Lois and Bruce are perfect hosts, and, I think it would be fair to say, Lois is the unofficial steward of the Lake. One cannot visit there without hearing the family history of the Lake, and how this wonderful place was rebought, restored, revered and now, constantly, revisted.

The essence of this summer’s family cottage holiday was not just the family Bar-B-Q’s, the raucous laughter shared at mealtime, the constant trips into Great Barrington, quiet times reading, or even the lively chirping of birds early in the morning but rather it was the harmony and serenity that hovers, in some curious way, over everyone visiting there.

Lake Buel, a haven, where there are no pretentions – a place where one can land softly and be restored. I know – I was!

Peter

When my wife and I were looking for a rental home on a lake for just the two of us, it was proving very difficult to find a suitable place that wasn't designed for large groups and was reasonably priced. Thankfully we found the little house at Lake Buel! The house had everything we were looking for: easy access to a swimmable lake, gorgeous views, a comfortable bed, and a cozy, rustic feel. We live in NYC, so even though the house is relatively small, it felt like a palace to us.

The owners, Lois and Bruce, happened to be staying at the main house the weekend we were there, and they couldn't have been better hosts, striking the perfect balance of being helpful without being too involved in our business. They took us for a ride on their pontoon boat, and set us up with a mattress on the dock, which my wife is still talking about. And their two cats are adorable.

It was a weekend we won't soon forget, and we definitely plan on returning in the future, maybe with another couple or maybe on our own.