Reviews and Accolades from our guests
from their notes and emails and our guest book

We're a little bashful...
...so you'll have to click on the heading below to read the review

• "Hi Steve! Thanks so much for letting us enjoy you're property

"Hi Steve! Thanks so much for letting us enjoy you're property. It is truly a unique place. It took us a day or so to get our bearings but once we got settled it all worked out well. My dad would love to hear that (next year) you will have a road leading right to the (deep water) dock... Also, I'm glad the house was left to your standards, we truly treat the rentals as if they were our home. Its sad to hear other people are not as considerate. " Amanda July, 2011 (Attleboro, MA)

• "July 2010... Weather: "very comfortable" sunny, warm-hot, humid Wildlife: deer, fox,

"July 2010... Weather: "very comfortable" sunny, warm-hot, humid Wildlife: deer, fox, bullfrogs, dragonflies, sunfish, trout, minnows, osprey (mother, father, 2 babies), painted turtles, mosquito, daddy long legs (lots of 'em), bumblebees... Celebrations: 80th birthday Recreation: swimming, tubing, paddle-boating, sunbathing, frog-chasing, sand castle building, kayaking, fishing, pontoon boating, campfires, reading, blueberry picking, polish horsehoes, card games, parcheesi, yahtzee, relaxing w/family and friends.... Grounds: spacious, private, steep slope out back, hiking trails, sandy beach quiet and lovely cove.... Cabin: quaint, accomodating, enjoyable........ Read the Emerson book, "very interesting". Some books on the pre-columbian history of the lake would be nice (native americans)."
Jane Woodstock, NH July 2010

• "Steve - I left the key to lower Ephraim on the table next to the

" "Steve - I left the key to lower Ephraim on the table next to the couch. The place was great. You have another set of fans! :)" Todd August, 20111 (NJ)

• "Hi Steve, Both your website and the Homeaway site were perfect

"Hi Steve, Both your website and the Homeaway site were perfect. Even though I felt like I already knew my way around after reviewing the pictures, I was still surprised to see how much privacy we had and the extensive trails. Maybe a mini map outlining the property might help describe the extent of the property? Thanks again, " Nitin August, 2011 (Newton, MA)

• "Thanks Stephen, We had a great time and found the location to be perfect

"Thanks Stephen, We had a great time and found the location to be perfect because of how close it was to everything. Regards, " Brad August, 2011 (Simsbury, CT)

• "Idyllic. charming. what a wonderful place. Thank

"Idyllic. charming. what a wonderful place. Thank you so much for renting to us. We had an amazing weekend." Teena

• "Hi Steve - we really had a lovely time and enjoyed our weekend tremendously - it

"Hi Steve - we really had a lovely time and enjoyed our weekend tremendously - it was a great way to end the summer. Went swimming every day (sometimes involuntarily as the canoe we brought with us is a little tippier than our old one) and climbed Belknap and Gunstock for terrific views. We hope to come back sometime." Deborah

• "The weekend at Emerson was great. Toby, who recently referred to the weekend

"The weekend at Emerson was great. Toby, who recently referred to the weekend as "sensational," told me to send a special thanks for letting him come." Carol, Acton, MA

• "Steve, Thank you so much! Ephraim's Cove is a true gem

"Steve, Thank you so much! Ephraim's Cove is a true gem. The water, the osprey, the setting have made our vacation a true haven. " Mary July, 2011 (Newton, MA)

• "Five of us (all family) enjoyed a week's stay at Ephraim cabin

"Five of us (all family) enjoyed a week's stay at Ephraim cabin. Hurrican Irene raged through southern new england and vermont, but graced us with a windy, rainy night and a few downed branches. Lucky!......here's highlights of flora and fauna seen.....green heron, fisher cat, wood duck, pickerel, cooper's hawk, doe with 2 fawns, 7 different varieties of ferns, american redstart, large mouth bass, scarlet tanager, yellow bellied sapsucker, etc. etc. " Toni August/sept, 2011 (Madison, CT)

" "

• "Dear Steve--Well, for the second year in a row we've had what all four

"Dear Steve--Well, for the second year in a row we've had what all four kids called a PERFECT week in the Thoreau cabin--The new deck is absolutely fantastic, we ate supper outside nearly every night (and spotted warblers and woodpeckers from it in the mornings....) We repeated last year's rituals (swimming and fishing, blueberry picking and birdwatching, canoeing and exploring) and added some new ones (a lakeside bonfire under the full moon on our last night, swinging on the rope swing, lolling on the new floating dock). We even saw the mink and the otter this year! Truly, the cove is an enchanted spot. We can't thank you enough, and we can't wait for next year. " Fernanda, Josh, Zander, Olivia, Lucy and Thaddy, August, 2011 (Brooklyn, NY and Swarthmore, PA)


• "Hi Steve, everything was great

"Hi Steve, everything was great - we had a wonderful time." Joy, San Diego, CA

• "All four of us had a wonderful time again this

"All four of us had a wonderful time again this year. Thank you for sharing your beautiful place with us and others." Warmly....Joanne

• "Hi Steve, I had so many good things that I

I had so many good things that I wanted to say I was having a hard time finding the right words. We truly had a great time and it was a perfect vacation. I wish you all the best and if we are in your area again we will be sure to stop by. The same goes for you if you ever find yourself in Toronto. Cabins on the Cove and the Thoreau cabin was the perfect place to reconnect with family, friends and mother nature. The short walk down the path to the cove for daily swimming, canoeing and Osprey watching allowed our family time to chat and explore the surrounding forest. Our two boys never once uttered the words "I'm bored" which made for a stress free and relaxing vacation for us. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful place. Heather, Toronto, Canada July, 2010

• "Hi Steve, We had a great time indeed. Thank you for

"Hi Steve, We had a great time indeed. Thank you for leasing the cabin. Everyone loves the place. All the best to you," -Mikhail (Boston) Labor Day Wknd, 2010

• "The cabin and grounds were great! We had a great time. I ended up

"The cabin and grounds were great! We had a great time. I ended up just driving over to my family's camp to bring my boat over during the day on Saturday and we went swimming at Loon beach Saturday morning. The view from Emerson is spectacular." Thanks, Matt Sept 12, 2010

• "Thanks Steve! Great place you have here. Have a great rest of

"Thanks Steve! Great place you have here. Have a great rest of your summer! We liked your music! and LOVED the book selection for the kids!" Cindi, Adam, Steve, Noel and kids

• "We had a great time. We may well take you up on the offer to

"We had a great time. We may well take you up on the offer to return because we found the trip very relaxing. thanks again for everything." Vivian (CT) aug 2010

• "Hello Steve, Just a quick note to tell you what a wonderful time we had and that we

"Hello Steve, Just a quick note to tell you what a wonderful time we had and that we enjoyed your place very much and hope to rent again sometime." Dave and Diane

• "Arrived yesterday at the Emerson Cabin to a beautiful, cool, sunny

"Arrived yesterday at the Emerson Cabin to a beautiful, cool, sunny day on the cove, and a wonderful cabin filled with everything necessary for a peaceful vacation, plus as I discovered, a few surprises....Another total treat this morning was taking a shower in the outdoor shower! Ahh, water raining down on my skin while I look up at the pine trees and clowdy sky. Lovely. I sat by the lake with my feet in the water, intermittent frog croaking, birds singing from this side and that side and behind and wayyyy over there, a fish jumps out of the water, dragonflies hover over the water in pairs, there are 2 birds in the osprey nest, the water in the cove is still, only my feet wiggling making tiny ripples. The sounds are soft and constant, the sights are peaceful and real. I want to bottle it all up and take it with me so I can open the bottle at home and sprinkle some of this natural magic around my home, sprinkle it on my busy days." Jill and Andy, Stoneham, MA

• "What a wonderful place. We love just sitting in the mornings and

"What a wonderful place. We love just sitting in the mornings and listening to the birds. We will forever love Ospreys. We could stay forever, or at least until winter, but there are things calling us home. And so we must go but the woods and lakes of New Hampshire will always have a place in our memories and our hearts." Anne and Craig Austin, Texas....June '07

• "Hey Stephen great books! I really liked the book about the solar system, and airplanes

"Hey Stephen great books! I really liked the book about the solar system, and airplanes and science experiments with soda pop! I really enoyed the cabin. I'm gonna miss it." Will (age 11), Bottom Bunk!

• "We absolutely love the place. It is like heaven on earth.

"We absolutely love the place. It is like heaven on earth. We didn't want to leave ..." Dawn and Scott

• "Everyone was surprised at how secluded it was, but also

"Everyone was surprised at how secluded it was, but also how close to everything. We all thought it was great. " Karen July, 2011 (Wakefield, RI)

• "We all have such great memories of last summer

"We all have such great memories of last summer at your cabin. Such a great place !!" Kevin

• "Steve, Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful part of God's country

"Steve, Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful part of God's country with us. It was such a refreshing change from the city life. Our 5 kids loved fishing, swimming, hiking and hanging out around the fire pit. The Ephraim Cabin was more than enough room for our large family. The Cove was so peaceful - especially when the kids were asleep :-). We enjoyed the abundance of blueberries every day. This will be a vacation spot we will never forget, and we hope that we can visit it again someday." The Williams family Magnolia, TX July 2010

• "Stephen, What a wonderful vacation spot! The scenery is just beautiful. It is

"Stephen, What a wonderful vacation spot! The scenery is just beautiful. It is hard to believe that everything is right here!! There is nothing we were in want of. I could not think of a better spot to go to. I loved it!!! See you next year!" Kathy, Sydney, N.S.

• "Hi Steve. I was wondering where we would find loon beach

"Hi Steve. I was wondering where we would find loon beach. Would you give me some directions? Thank you. By the way we love it up here. Thanks for sharing it with us" Lynn July, 2011 (Groton, MA)

• "Steve, this is a hidden treasure you have here. The scenery is

Steve, this is a hidden treasure you have here. The scenery is amazing, the tranquility is worth millions. Thank you so much for having the Cabins on the Cove. Your music and the bio from your CD is profound. I am honored to say I met you." Kim and Bill, Halifax, N.S.

• "Stephen, Well there is not much to say but, wow!

"Stephen, Well there is not much to say but, wow! I am so glad I contacted you, We swam, canoed, walked, made fire - thank you for all this spot has to offer. And the Thai food was good." Lea and Sean

• "Thanks for all you did to make our stay at the cove comfortable. We

"Thanks for all you did to make our stay at the cove comfortable. We have left a few items in the freezer - ice cream - and drinks in the refrigerator for you. Our cats loved being here too. The view is spectacular." The Rosearts

• "Hi Steve! Thanks for another great stay at our little

"Hi Steve! Thanks for another great stay at our little paradise away from home." Hugh and Annie


• "Stephen, We came all the way from "warm and sunny" Miami, Florida. to be blessed

"Stephen, We came all the way from "warm and sunny" Miami, Florida. to be blessed by this nice cool weather, clear blue sky and these colors of autumn,magnificent views and quietness, the beauty and stillness of the lake. Hiking on these trails is so nice with the falling leaves. Thanks alot." Rosa and Bert, Miami, FL

• "Hi Steve, We did enjoy our weekend. Our only complaint is that it

"Hi Steve, We did enjoy our weekend. Our only complaint is that it went by way too fast. Some day in the future we do plan on coming again. It was nice meeting you." Lori, Nov '07

• "To others thinking of staying in the Ephraim Cabin there are few places

"To others thinking of staying in the Ephraim Cabin there are few places in this world where you can get back to nature! But this is one. Over the summer and a winter we have had an extraordinary time here. On our first summer here Henry (age 6) learned to fish for pumpkin seed fish, pickerel and trout. With friends he would pack a canoe and take breakfast over to 'the island'. I would swim to the rail track and back (30 minutes). We'd watch the Osprey and chicks. At night we'd have campfires, barbeques and smores. We lived outside all day, everyday. It was magical. Sitting in it's cathedral of pine trees the cabin is a particularly wonderful place to wake each morning, silent but for the occassional rustling of animals and birds. Get out of bed and the view across the lake to the White Mountains always uplifts you. In winter the whole scene changed, skating on the lake, ice fishing, the surprise of the Christmas Santa train tooting it's way to Laconia, skiing at Gunstock, the crackling of firewood in the wood stove. It's a fantastic, amazing, lovely place in it's very own environment and yet.....it is minutes from the '99', Tilton Diner, Thai and Chinese restaurants and many great shops at the outlet center. All at your doorstep. It's been a very special place for us that we'll never forget." Jeremy, Amanda, and Henry, England Aug and winter 2009

• Hi Steve, Thank you for allowing us to stay at the Thoreau cabin 4th of July week

Hi Steve, Thank you for allowing us to stay at the Thoreau cabin 4th of July weekend. We had a blast. The place was adorable and spacious. The setup was perfect for the people who slept in the bunk house. They could utilize the bathroom without waking up the couple in the main cabin. The bunk house was gorgeous, very nicely done. This cabin was by far one of the best places I've stayed on vacation. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to get away. It's secluded, yet not too far from the stores and lake. You have privacy and it sleeps 8 comfortably. Jen July 7, 2010

• Steve, Just wanted to tell you what a wonderful week we had. The lake is gorgeous--quite

Steve, Just wanted to tell you what a wonderful week we had. The lake is gorgeous--quite an unusual little gem. We were quite taken with it. Thanks for sharing it. Best, Josh Aug 2010

• Hi--I'm Fernanda, Josh's girlfriend, and I think you met my older son Zander on his way

Hi--I'm Fernanda, Josh's girlfriend, and I think you met my older son Zander on his way back from fishing. I wanted to write and tell you how divine our week was--the cove is absolutely amazing, and you have done an incredible thing by preserving it. Josh and I loved the Thoreau cabins--it was ideal to have the kids in their own bunkhouse, for everyone! And our beach was perfect, absolutely perfect. I have stored up many many peaceful snapshot memories in my head to last for the rest of the year, and hope that we can all come back (everyone seemed enthusiastic about the idea....) My younger son Thaddy caught and released a turtle (he and Lucy were feeding crumbs to the minnows and up the turtle swam to get in on the action) which made him very happy (since he failed to catch any fish w/ his new rod, alas! His brother caught them all....) Anyway, we simply loved it, the whole week, and I wanted to thank you so much. Best wishes from Pennsylvania (Swarthmore)-- Fernanda Moore and Zander and Thad Bashaw Aug 2010

• "Thank you for a lovely two weeks in Emerson Cabin! We loved the solitude of the pine

"Thank you for a lovely two weeks in Emerson Cabin! We loved the solitude of the pine grove, the perfect cove swimming ("best swimming ever", says Jonas), playing in the sand (Miles), crawling through the pine needles (Leif), walking the trails (Carolyn) and reading the paper in the adirondack chairs (Grandpa). The outdoor shower is spectacular - how can we go back to showering inside? We read tons of books and chewed on some too (Leif), ate smores (Miles), and napped in the hammock (Carolyn and Jonas). We will be back!" Carolyn, Jonas, Miles, Leif and Grandpa Ian New York City Aug 8 - 21, 2010

• (written in child's script) "We loved the house it was great. I loved the lake it

(written in child's script) "We loved the house it was great. I loved the lake it was perfect. We loved knewing (sic) and paddellboating (sic) and the water tempacher (sic) and the sandy bech (sic) was perfect for making sand cacels (sic) and having fun and we are sad that we have to go but we are sure the next people who comes (sic) will love it." Love the Simpkins familly aug 2009

• "The incessant rain did not dampen our spirits, or our fun. A quick stop at LL Bean

"The incessant rain did not dampen our spirits, or our fun. A quick stop at LL Bean for improved rain gear made all the difference as we paddled around the cove, dropping a line here and there. The 24" pickerel that we caught was a nice surprise, and tasty too! Loved falling asleep to the light rain falling on the trees outside our window and waking up late to a beautiful (even if grey) view. What made this trip especially wonderful - a great soundtrack ("Artists Around the World", 'Funk Pearson) red winged blackbird, great blue heron, goldfinch small painted turtles on lily pads red salamander courtesy of Uncle Steve no tv or phone! cool old trains! enough of a break in the weather to have 2 campfires" The Khabrels June/July 2009

• "Steve, Thank you so much for sharing you piece of paradise with us. There's nothing

"Steve, Thank you so much for sharing you piece of paradise with us. There's nothing more priceless than privacy and exclusivity, and to have that in this glorious natural setting is a real luxury. We had a week of great weather, but then again even rain is beautiful here. One of our sons got introduced to fishing by catching no less than 4 good sized ones. so he fed us dinner one of the nights. We spotted a deer one morning near the opening of the path to the field (from the beach). Saw a small snake, some turtles, frogs, and of course many many squirrels and chipmunks. The osprey was, of course, the other attraction warning off anyone that gets close to the nest audibly and by flying in circles. Take care and we hope to return soon." the Stepanovic family July 2009

• "Hey Steve, I would have liked to run into you myself to give you a thumbs up

"Hey Steve, I would have liked to run into you myself to give you a thumbs up for the whole experience. It was a great week full of what I had hoped/expected - swimming, fishing, kayaking, and toasting marshmallows. You've got a great spot there, it was very tough to leave. Thanks again, " Judy July, 2011 (Groton, MA)

• "Steve, Directions here: impeccable Welcome @ the airport: friendly

"Steve, Directions here: impeccable Welcome @ the airport: friendly Traffic N to "god's country": no worries Excitement upon arrival: ....near ecstacy! Perfect location, perfect condition, perfect solitutde - we totally hoped for this...and got it.! You could not have been any more precise in your description of this New England NIRVANA....We owe you - visit us in the deep woods of N. Wisconsin - your season of choice. By the way, we had fun too! Don't be a stranger." Pam and Don Gordon, WI (the 'other' god's country) Sept. '08

• "Steve, From my immediate family and extended family, thank you

"Steve, From my immediate family and extended family, thank you for such a beautiful place to spend quiet, relaxing, and quality time together. I'm hoping this may become an annual tradition. " Ann July, 2011 (Oldsmar, FL)

• "Hi Steve, Sorry that I missed meeting you

"Sorry that I missed meeting you in person! We really had a great time - the views and the cove were really wonderful. I wish we could have spent more time at the cabin - but my husband LOVES his boat, so we were out a lot! Our younger dog and the little girl that were staying with us had a ball at the beach and running around outside. you have a great summer too! Best!" Rita July, 2011 (Sharon, MA)

End Notes