Serendipity

It was mid-August 1977. I had come up from Earlville, Maryland to find a rental for my husband and I.  

Staying with a dear friend in Amherst, we made up a game of “Ouija Map” to figure out where to seek. Following the pointer up 116  from Deerfield through Conway, we stopped at post offices and general stores asking if anyone knew of a rental.

When we stopped at the Lake House, we went in and decided to eat before we asked the owner/cook "the question"!  At that time it was just a single counter near the entrance. No bar, no waitstaff.  I think his name was Dennis, but I’m not sure.  

There was one other customer there at the time, and as we were eating, Dennis turned to him and said, "You've put the last nail in and now you need renters. How about those two girls over there?" gesturing to my friend and me.

Needless to say, Serendipity!

The man’s name was Bob Rush, and I asked if him if it was a quiet place, as my husband was a writer.  Yes! he said. So we finished up, and followed him to John Ford Road. It was a brand new A-frame with a stained glass by Cookie Kipen in the peak of bedroom, as well as fireplaces in the bedroom and downstairs.

On John Ford Road we met some very dear lifelong friends and a welcoming community. 

The Lake House Magic!