Loon-serenaded, waterfront cottage on Sand Pond in the beautiful western Maine mountains, rustic but modernized, fully furnished kitchen, blankets and pillows provided. Cozy and welcoming. Hammock, fire pit, screened-in porch. One step up to cottage, bathroom (shower has a grab bar) and double bedroom on first floor, gentle slope and a few stairs (railing added 2021) to lakefront and dock make it feasible for elder guests or those with limited mobility. It is small (756 square feet) but sleeps 3-6 adults comfortably. Cathedral ceiling and new ceiling fan in living room make it feel spacious and airy. Porch, kitchen, downstairs bedroom and queen room upstairs have ceiling fans; twin-bedded room has a floor fan and cross-ventilation. This is a quiet (except during snowmobile season) winterized camp with a shallow (average depth 13 feet, 23 feet at its deepest point), warm, sandy pond, 40' dock with octagon, separate diving dock, across a dead-end dirt road (and snowmobile trail, fun for mountain biking and hiking), so it may not be suitable for toddlers as other camps' residents do use the road. State certified as a Lake Smart house in August 2009, use of eco-friendly products required. Upgraded to on-demand generator June 2022. The firepit and charcoal grill are right on the water, across the dirt road from the cottage. Gas grill too. BOATING AND FISHING: the pond is known to be full of large-mouth bass and white and yellow perch, and loons serenade each summer evening. 2-person canoe, 4-person pedal boat, 2 newer kayaks, 7 life vests provided. No large motorboats, pontoon party boats, or jet skis are present on the pond, but guests are welcome to bring a kayak, rowboat, or canoe, or a fishing boat with up to a 10 horsepower motor. PLEASURES AT THE CAMP: This is a very rural area, not for those who want constant entertainment, but great for reading on the front porch (completely screened in during April 2009, only first two photos reflect this) overlooking the pond or on the large octagonal dock or sitting in front of the wood stove. There is also a propane heater for the colder months, insulated cottage. Air conditioner available for living room, used once in 2013 and once in 2019, breezes from the pond usually keep it comfortable. Tankless, on-demand hot water heater installed 2019 ensures your whole family constant hot water for showers. Fire pit and picnic table at the water's edge. Most popular activities: listening for the loons, sunset watching, swimming, boating, and hiking, berry picking, chilling in a porch rocking chair, lobster grilling, gathering with friends around the fire pit after sunset, board games. Dew Haven wildlife refuge is 20 minutes away, movie theater is 10 miles away. Cell phone reception is good. HDTV Satellite TV, slow internet/WiFi; reception cannot be guaranteed during cloudy weather. Guests report exceptionally clear sky from this spot for stargazing. THINGS TO ENJOY NEARBY: You can quickly find small town life 10 miles away in Farmington and at the University of Maine, shopping, a movie theatre and bowling alley for rainy days. summer concerts and summer theatre nearby, a couple of interesting restaurants, two independent bookstores, an ice cream stand, antique stores in nearby towns, and a summer farmer's market. 15 minutes to pick strawberries and blueberries in season and buy freshly caught lobster. Half an hour to Mt. Blue State Park, 45 minutes north to scenic Rangeley with brilliant fall foliage and dramatic mountain views (and you may see moose), skiing locally at Titcomb Mountain and it's equidistant from Saddleback, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River. Sand Pond is about 3 1/2 hours from Boston and 90-+20 minutes from the coast. PRIVATE BUT NOT 'OFF THE GRID': While you cannot see a neighboring camp, noise is amplified over water, so if someone nearby puts 20 people around their fire pit and has a party, you are going to hear it. This does not happen often, it's not a frat party area, mostly owner occupied, but absolute quiet cannot be guaranteed. Also, this is not the last camp on this dead-end road: 7 neighbors farther down the road use it, so cars, trucks, ATVs, bicycles, people walking or running with their dogs do come right in front of the cottage. LONG WEEKEND/PARTIAL WEEK RENTALS CONSIDERED DURING THE SPRING AND FALL SEASONS Keywords: waterfront, lakefront, cottage, private, pet-friendly, 3-season, family-oriented, 4 boats.