Day at Mountain Lake

July 20th - Thursday - 104 degrees - hot and humid

On Monday, our friends had asked us to join them for lunch at their cottage on Mountain Lake. We were up early and I made my favorite fresh blueberry dessert and Lou and I were off to Mountain Lake which is located in Bradford County.

It was originally founded by the railroad tycoons that wanted a cool and refreshing place for their families to reside in the summer months. The original ice house is still standing as is the hotel where many dances and festivals were held. The Lake is all spring fed with cottages surrounding it. Most of the cottages have docks going out into the lake. There are restrictions as far as boats on the lake, you may use boats; however, no gasoline motors, only electric motors, or of course, you may paddle your boat, or canoe. You can imagine, it is very quiet and relaxing to spend your summer, weekend, or just an afternoon there.

Once we arrived, Steve took us on a boat ride, that was powered by an electric motor, around the diameter of the lake so we could view the cottages along the lake, there were many water lilies of two different colors. Most everyone feeds the birds, therefore, there were all kinds of birds flying to and fro. Even though it was a hot afternoon, there was a wonderful breeze blowing across the lake and right into the cottage with the screened in porch.

Steve introduced us to his neighbors and she took us on a tour of their cottage. She inherited her cottage from her mother and she collected antiques and that was a delight. This delightful couple live in Elmira, NY and come for the summer with their two cats and one dog. Their walls are lined with antiques kitchen utensils in the kitchen and then in the living room surrounding the fireplace you will find paintings, done by her mother, of the lake along with fish that were caught by various family members, antique fishing rods and reels, horse shoes and black smith tools, old harnesses as they were horse lovers at one time. A huge display of old bottles, blue and clear glass, oh it was a delightful afternoon just talking to them and looking around. Her husband had been in the Air Force so you know he and Lou became immediate friends......

After thanking them for the tour we exited their back door. We viewed their backdoor garden and field stone patio,that their mother had completed when she was in her late 70's .On our way back to Steve and June's cottage we took in the array of beautiful flowers and the 100 year old bunk house that their son, Steve is redoing, getting ready for his retirement.

We enjoyed a wonderful luncheon of seafood quiche, cole slaw, and a salad that consisted of cucumbers, red peppers, mushrooms, green onions, Parmesan cheese with Italian dressing, hot rolls and the blueberry dessert. Being a hot afternoon, the luncheon was perfect and the conversation was high spirited.

The afternoon passed quickly and it was soon time for Lou and I to head back to Tioga County.