Welcome to Twin Pines, an updated-yet-rustic New England experience!
SUMMER:
Twin Pines is a lakefront property with 100 feet of private shoreline. There is a sandy beach (great for kids!) and the lake bottom is also sand. We have a private dock that was rebuilt in 2023 and a storage shed for water-related equipment and toys. Twin Pines has plenty of extras to enhance your fun, including a canoe, kayaks (rigid and inflatable), stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), a floating mat, inner tubes, and beach toys.
FALL/WINTER:
Twin Pines is the perfect spot to view the New England foliage and enjoy a wide variety of activities including antiquing, wineries, hiking, apple-picking, craft fairs and festivals. Winter is also a wonderful time to visit! A large handful of ski resorts are within easy reach of Twin Pines. Snowshoeing is popular on local trails and cross-country skiing and ice-fishing are available on the lakes. There are many other winter activities available in the area, and there's no better place to get cozy with a hot beverage than sitting by the fireplace in the Twin Pines great room.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:
* There is no municipal trash service at the house. Guests _must_ sort their recycling into the bins provided in the garage, per instructions you'll find at the house. Our housekeeper will remove your trash & recycling after your departure. HOWEVER, if the trash/recycling bins become full during your stay -- which is certainly expected for groups staying a week or longer -- you will need to make a trip to the Ashland dump (less than 10 minutes from the house). Instructions for making a "dump run" are provided at the house, and guests report that it's a fun opportunity to experience local life on Squam. Please do not book a vacation at Twin Pines if you aren't willing to sort the recycling and make a potential dump run during your stay.
* There are about 50 steps down to the beach, making accessibility difficult for people with mobility issues.
* Both sides of our dock are rented to trusted local boat owners from May to October. They may be going to/from their boats while you are at Twin Pines, but they won't interfere with your stay. One dock renter has our permission to park his truck near our garage. Please contact us if you have any questions/concerns.
HOUSE DESCRIPTION:
Arguably the best place to hang out at Twin Pines is on the deck overlooking the lake. A loveseat and chairs are arranged around a cocktail table, and the outdoor dining table can comfortably fit eight people.
Indoors, Twin Pines has two "great rooms" for lounging, reading, eating, playing games and enjoying each other's company. The upstairs great room is focused around a large wood-burning fireplace, with a comfortable seating area and two dining tables that provide ample space for meals, games & puzzles.
The downstairs great room includes a beautiful (but non-functioning) fireplace, two futon couches, two bean bag chairs for extra seating, and a television.
There are four bedrooms at Twin Pines:
* Upstairs primary bedroom #1 (with deck access): King bed and ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
* Upstairs primary bedroom #2 (with deck access): King Bed and ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
* Downstairs bedroom #3: Queen bed
* Downstairs bedroom #4: Two full-size beds
For additional sleeping space, the two futon couches in the downstairs great room convert into full-size beds. Also, one of the quirks at Twin Pines is an extra twin bed affectionately known as the "kitchen bed". Located in the secondary kitchen downstairs (which is generally used as storage space), the comfy kitchen bed is useful for folding laundry or for extra guests.
The updated kitchen on the main floor at Twin Pines includes a refrigerator & freezer, gas stove & oven, microwave, toaster oven, dishwasher, coffee maker, Ninja blender and standing mixer. The kitchen is stocked with all of the pots, pans and utensils you need to create gourmet meals (or feel free to enjoy carryout from a local restaurant)! There is also a gas grill for your use.
A full-size washer and dryer can be found downstairs just beyond the extra kitchen. Through the laundry area is a mud room where you'll find beach towels, personal flotation devices (i.e., life jackets), wetsuits and a work bench. After a fun day in the lake, we encourage you to rinse off using the hose outside the mud room and ditch your wet bathing suit on the clothesline before heading off to a warm shower. In winter, the mud room offers the perfect place to peel out of your boots and snow gear.
On rainy days -- or when you're finished playing in the lake -- you can enjoy a game of ping pong in the upstairs (unfinished) level of the garage. It isn't fancy, but it's fun! (Note: the ping pong room is available for use from approximately April-Oct.)
We strive to make your stay at Twin Pines as comfortable and convenient as possible. In addition to the various amenities described on this website, we also provide portable fans, room-darkening shades, a toddler air mattress, a twin air mattress, children's books & toys, and board games & puzzles.
Other than asking that you treat our home with kindness and consideration, we have the following rules:
* Absolutely no smoking
* No pets (no exceptions -- sorry!)
* Maximum 10 guests
* Trash & recycling must be sorted (and taken to the dump if full)
* All boating laws must be followed (details are provided to all guests)
Please keep in mind that vacationing on a lake in NH is an outdoorsy experience. We keep the house very clean, but you can expect to see cobwebs in outdoor corners and in the boat shed. Also, please understand that Twin Pines is our home during part of the year, not just a rental property. Although we put away most of our personal belongings when the house is rented, please expect to see evidence of us throughout the house (e.g., photos, items stored on upper closet shelves, etc.).
Thank you for visiting our home. We hope you enjoy the magic of Squam Lake as much as we do.
