Step back in time!

Modeled after a hostel/tavern that sat at the top of the mountain for 200 years, the house is outfitted with a myriad of turn-of-the-century treats: parlor stove, bar, (electrified) oil lamps, clawfoot tub, hand-crank phone, even a player piano, but has all the modern conveniences. Situated in 120 acres of your own private forest, the home is secluded, very private, and yet only 2000 feet from the Appalachian Trail.

THE SPACE

Sit on a porch rocker, sipping a lager while you watch the wildlife saunter by. Soak your bones in a clawfoot tub while reading the latest L. Frank Baum. Jump into the ice-cold swimming hole. Fall asleep in a chaise lounge while warming your toes by the coal grate. Hike the green trail with the kids and dog to meet George F, the bear. Or hike the new adventure trails in the Hundred Acre Wood.

The house sleeps eight: a queen bed in the vast master bedroom, another in the middle room, and 4 twin-sized beds in bunkroom. There are bed linens and towels galore, enough for an army, so don’t bring your own. Soaps? They’re there. Forgot your toothbrush? Yup, there’s spares.

The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and all the tools to satisfy the most discriminating foodie. The cupboard’s fully stocked with spices, flours, oils, and vinegars, and the fridge is stocked with all the condiments you want so you don’t have to worry about the little stuff. Is there coffee? Yes, both whole bean and ground. The small bar, a tribute to the home’s tavern origin, is never stocked out of respect for guests who may be in recovery; the Blue Mountain House is very much a BYOB establishment. Note: induction stoves, though super-efficient, only work with ferrous metals (steel, iron), so if you bring your favorite aluminum pot it will not work. However there are tons of high-quality ferrous pots, pans, dutch ovens, etc, etc onsite for you to use.

Planning a family feast? We got you. Open the flyleaves of console table and set it beside the oak dining room table (they’re the same size), gather all the extra chairs, and seat twelve. Break out the serving platters!

The home is heated and cooled by a state of the art HVAC system. In winter, feel free to make it extra cozy by firing up the parlor stove in the living room or the Victorian grate in the master bedroom. The water heater is on-demand, so go ahead and fill the tub. A full size washer and dryer await upstairs for your convenience.

OUTSIDE

The fire pit behind the house comes with a stack of firewood; please don’t bring your own so we can avoid invasive insects. And the fire pit doubles as a grill; see the house notebook for hints on cooking on an open flame.

The swimming hole behind the house is about 5 feet deep. It’s a bit mucky, but we’re working on it. A rope swing hangs from the far side. Be aware, the water is **cold**. Three inner tubes are supplied for summer delights. Because of its constant flow, it never freezes over in winter, so no ice skating. You’ll just have to settle for the toboggan in winter.

The two main hiking trails are marked. The green trail starts behind the garage. Follow it to meet George F. The red trail heads high off the green about halfway through. It leads to the “Gazebo in the Clouds.” Climb at your own risk (alas, your host’s fear of heights and a past unfortunate experience with a ladder prevents him from ever being able to climb it. Two rungs is as far as he’s ever gotten).

LOCATION

Blue Mountain House sits on the abandoned road that used to be the main route over the Blue Mountain between Berks and Schuylkill Counties. It’s about 2100 feet due south of the Appalachian Tail at the Fort Dietrich Snyder monument stone. The steepest part of the route from below is paved, but in winter, four wheel drive is a necessity, and will be required.

Cabela's is 12 miles away and Lancaster County 40 miles. The house is 164 miles from Washington, 130 from NYC, 92 from Philly. Gettysburg is 80 miles away, Knoebel's Amusement Resort is 30, and Hershey Park is 35. Both the Yeungling Brewery and Rausch Creek are 22 minutes away. Maps, guidebooks, and a custom notebook list the hundreds of other activities, adventures and amusements nearby.

What's provided? The house has a supplemental coal stove converted to propane at the stone fireplace in the living room and another in the master bedroom; a 43" flatscreen TV with basic cable, Dolby sound, blu-ray DVD player, all connected on the local wifi with high speed internet. There are plenty of board games and wondrous libraries for adults and kids.

The fully-equipped kitchen has everything you need: induction stove, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, with hand-crank bean grinder, crockpot, fridge, dishwasher (hooray!), cooking utensils, pots and pans, flatware, dishes, and glasses. I provide basic staples like ketchup, mustard, mayo, butter, sugar, flours, teas, olive oil, vinegar and spices so you don’t need to worry about the little stuff. And of course I include the ingredients for the must-use spaghetti ice cream press.

In the seat of the hall tree at the front door is a 3-ring binder of instructions on how to work all the home utilities (TV, cable, wifi, thermostats, trash), along with the 14-page list of local activities, and a map to the AT.

There are 2 main bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, and a bunk room that sleeps 4. Have an extended family? The companion "Cozy Appalachian Trail Cottage" and "Kittatinny Ridge Retreat" are just downhill. Book all 3 at a special rate.

When you come, bring a printed copy of the directions, a flashlight, and food; a tablet or laptop and cellphone. I provide all the bed and bath linens, household papers, and soaps; firewood and kindling. Do not bring your own firewood as it may house infestations of dangerous insects like the spotted lantern fly and emerald ash borer.

Because there are multiple deadly risks (you could get attacked by a bear, bitten by a snake, drown in the pond, fall from a tree, gas yourself with the parlor stove; oh, there's lots of good old-fashioned mortal dangers here), you will be required to sign a formal rental agreement and release before admittance.