Saluda, North Carolina
*I am now offering my guests the option to rent the pontoon boat for your summer rental fun to get out onto the lake, or have your evening sunset or cocktail cruise.
So, Welcome:
If you want a cross between my lovely grandmothers' “Sweet Briar” full silver service, breakfast, lunch and dinner charm and sensibility with myself, the artist (Undergraduate and Master’s),
who loves to create, design, and cook, you have found the correct Mountain/Lake Summit home. This is one of the first 4 original houses built here on Lake Summit and the first arrivals here get the best view.. You and your family/guests will feel its original charm, beauty, and tranquil spirit the minute you walk through the house and on to the front porch which overlooks the lake. You will instantly shed all of the tension, and will properly start your vacation *(if not, pour a glass of wine, or a higher octane in extreme cases). When you come back into the house you will find a very warm atmosphere with pickled knotty pine, art covered walls, beamed ceilings, comfortable furniture (antiques and traditional), heart pine floors with traveled rugs, and the original rock fireplace. Most of the walls are covered by my art (see pictures), art buddies, or local and International talent collected through my life’s journeys.
The house, though originally built in 1920 on this beautiful lake (dammed in 1919), has had all of the proper modernization's to the home without losing the feel of the original house. Probably the best descriptions of the property have been done by my awesome guests and their reviews and I definitely invite you to read them!
The house has three in-home bedrooms. All the mattresses and box springs, in the house and bunkhouse are new!! (Zzzz). The Master is on the main level with a king-size bed and the two other bedrooms are located off the lower level deck with very comfy queens. The house provides all quality cotton, white linens for the beds, white cotton bath towels and wash clothes. I also have various colored Beach towels for the lake.
(Please note: Due to time restraints on turning the house, you are responsible for washing and drying the beach towels you use at the lake before your departure, or bring your own beach towels)
Both the Master bedroom and the living room do have full size sofa's for your convenience if you have a small child you want to sleep with you in the same room or close in the living room area. Very comfy and extra sheets and pillows can be found in Master Closet.
The bunkhouse is a separate building across the driveway from the kitchen. This room contains two twin beds with an awesome wake up view. There is a separate HVAC unit. It is the perfect hideout for any of the family’s children, and in actuality a perfect room for a break from the kids! It has its own TV, sound system, and you can watch them from the kitchen (but can not hear them! YAY ! Laugh ). This is also a great place for a Massage! Massage table can be found under closest twin. *I have a masseuse you can call. There is also a dog bed out there if you need a babysitter for the kids. You do use the bathrooms in the main house.
The Main house is complete with two full newly renovated bathrooms, a Fully-Equipped Gourmet Kitchen with gas stove, Calphalon cookware, Henckles Knives, proper serving pieces and a centered butcher block (grab some herbs from the herb garden, upper deck of the boathouse!), an exquisite, often-used fireplace in the main room that’s sure to provide the perfect evening setting. Central air/heat, with ceiling fans as well. There are two large French farm tables which can hold 10 guests each, one inside and one on the expanding front porch. This house is sure to provide the space and accommodations for any size or type of family, group of friends, cozy enough for as few as two, or spacious enough for as many as eight.
Fully equipped with all the latest in technology, the house includes 6 flat screen televisions all with "smart" (Netflix) capabilities (which can also be left off), wireless internet, as well as a house surround-sound system for your music listening pleasure. The televisions maintain a "Whole House" DirecTV package. Yes guys, if there is a game, match or round, you can get the game, match or round. Almost any major sporting event. Welcome to your vacation as well!
(I recommend the large flat screen on the front porch for those sporting events, it also overlooks the lake, best of both worlds!) The stereo system has surround sound for the movie viewing which also goes through the main floor of the house, kitchen, porch, and cooking deck. There is a pair of VR Goggles, cards and other various games as well (including Twister!)
Perhaps the most stunning and noteworthy feature of the house, aside from its inner beauty, is its multiple locations for outdoor gathering enjoyment. Overlooking the lake, there are four different outdoor areas for entertainment at any time of the day or night. The lower level bedroom entrance has its separate great deck that overlooks the lake. The boathouse, besides the beach and dock, also has a new upstairs kitchenette/dining area opening to the attached upper garden deck. Again, surrounded by the smells of the herb garden, this is a perfect place for wine, cheese and appetizers. It has nice seating for any afternoon or evening (this deck is also fun to jump off of into the lake). The new kitchenette/dining/poker room is also a place for taking down lunch, or to get out of a passing shower (poker chips included).
Back up at the house, the courtyard next to the grilling area has a Chimenea for the outdoor fireplace feature and chill quaint gathering spot.
However, arguably the most enchanting and magnetic place on the entire property is the spanning front porch on the main level of the house. This wooden deck with natural Mountain Laurel rails and party lighting (electrical, candle lit, or combination) provide the ideal view of the lake at the perfect altitude to view on for what seems to be forever. The Western facing porch allows for the most perfect point of view for every sunset that one could ever ask for. Cameras will get a workout from this perspective, I promise. The porch includes the other 10ft French farm dining tables (breakfast, lunch and dinner lake views) with several candle opportunities. The other half of the porch has a seating area, a large porch swing and opens to the brick courtyard. There are the two proper grills (one gas and one charcoal) at this part of the house all allowing for unforgettable nights and fantastic dinners.
The boathouse and dock has 4 Kayaks for your use, and a paddle board as well as many other floatables. There is the new kitchenette upstairs with a refrigerator, an ice cream maker, fresh water sink and dinning table for eating lunch or playing games.
*( for past visiting guests, this used to be a bedroom)...
The house also has 3 Bikes for riding around the lake road.. Or if you are a more serious cycler a great area for your own bikes. Walking around the lake road is also a popular activity.. I am not going to comment on you runners.... ha.
There can be arrangements made for purchasing a permit and gate key access for your own boat. It does take a letter of permission from me and a few weeks to request a lake permit (requires proof of insurance, boat description and has to be done way ahead of time before your arrival).
Or... you can take the option to rent my 20ft pontoon with a 50hp Honda 4 stroke. The boat will be waiting at the dock at your arrival, keys in the ignition.... Gas will be topped off at the beginning of your stay and you re-top the boat at the end of your stay at the associations gas dock at the end of the lake for the next set of guests...(Easier, no launching, no permitting, no hauling, less expensive, and very easy to operate!!! A, "You are on vacation already!", alternative.). ;-)
I great way to explore the rest of the lake or take that occasional cocktail cruise! Quite frankly most of my guests do take advantage of the pontoon offer and I try to make it affordable for your enjoyment...
**You do not have to decide about the boat renting option when making house reservation. But please decide a few weeks prior to your arrival date so I can arrange for it to be there for your group. I only rent this boat to my guests. It is my personal boat, easy to maneuver, you can't get lost on the lake, and it comes pre-dented from being on a lake full of wooden docks and previous docking attempts from previous guests (laugh). Doggies love boat rides !
The lake is also, of course, a great lake to bring a Canoe or Paddle Board. Or just Kayak with my 4 included Kayaks or my one paddle board!
And sunning, floating and swimming off the dock is the toughest job you should have during your summer stay.
Tryon International Equestrian Center:
For those of you visiting or participating in the marvelous new Tryon International Equestrian Center, Welcome. Lake Summit is an easy 20 some minute drive up the mountain on I -26, just on the other side of Saluda. That short drive gets you up the mountain, at least 10 degrees cooler minimum at all time, plus the cool clean mountain lake to jump in to wash the days dust off..
Thanks for considering my property and I hope to see you all soon, from which ever direction you are coming from and for what ever reason it brings you here. It has been fondly dubbed "Camp Billy", a camp both for the young and the young at heart (And cheaper than other camps at the other end of the lake!). It is a great adult alternative to hang here while your kids participate in the other truly fine kids camps at the other end of the lake....laugh. But truthfully a great, fun spot with the whole family.
With all of this said, I would love to share the house I've built my life around. I am sure it will become as memorable for you as it is endearing for me.
Billy Gordon
A rustic and lovely getaway. One bedroom on the main level and two connected through an outdoor staircase. There is much charm in this place and the view is to die for. The wood burning fireplace and the large deck make this place the perfect cozy getaway!
Property was just as described and our stay was perfect! Billy was a great host, checking in with us to make sure we were comfortable. The house and location are so charming. As described, the front porch was where we wanted to spend the most time. I mean when we weren’t on the water! The pontoon was fun and we kayaked twice a day! Would love to go back in the summer!
We really enjoyed our stay. Lake summit is a quaint and peaceful place with beautiful views.
We had a wonderful stay at this home. The view and the house gives you a wonderful feel for Lake Summit. The homeowner was very responsive when I had questions and their was a guide with everything we needed to know
This is our second time staying here. We love this place. Whether you are down at the boat house swimming or just sunning or up at the main house lounging or reading on the large porch with day bed and swing, it is great place for making memories for all ages - from 15 to 78. We also had the boat for a couple days and enjoyed cruising the lake. Billy is a great host and super responsive. He always makes sure you have what you need. This is his family cottage and a real part of the history of Lake Summit (very cool article in Charleston Mercury newsletter found online) There is a lot to do in the area, but we rarely leave because we truly enjoy staying at Camp Billy! Even when we had some late day storms, we just played cards or watched movies. We brought our dog and he was able to enjoy the fenced in back yard. He went swimming and on several nice walks around the lake. It is a comfortable place to kick back, disconnect from the world and connect with each other. The kids are already planning our next visit.
What a wonderful and magical place. Something for the family aged 2-92. I wish I had one more day to sit on the porch and watch the rain and the birds.
This property is definitely one of a kind - built in 1920 and still retains the old charm of a lakeside cottage, but with modern amenities. The porch is a wonderful place for the family to gather for dining, games and just plain old conversation - the view over the lake and mountains in the distance is beautiful. For renters bringing a dog along for the fun, this is the perfect spot - even a dog bed on the porch where ours spent a lot of time enjoying the view along with the rest of us. The property is fenced and our city dog loved being able to run around to explore at her leisure. The convenience of having both a pontoon and kayaks at our disposal at the dock was great. We all felt as if we were visiting the home of a friend, as the furnishings were very comfortable and there were many interesting things to see - the old fireplace with the owl andirons was unique and was used on the cooler days. The steps to the lower level and on to the boathouse could be a problem for some folks, but definitely doable for the older folks in our group. Overall great stay!
We had a great time in December which was quiet time of the year here. Our family enjoyed the view of the lake and the fire place is perfect. Enjoyed the artist vibe and kitchen also. Fun times!
We loved our stay with family coming from all over the United States. The view is worth everything and the owner, Billy, will do anything and everything to make your stay enjoyable and relaxing. The kitchen is supplied with every last need you can think of for a full course Thanksgiving feast. North Carolina even blessed us with sunny weather to further complete out mountain getaway.
Lake Summit is one of our favorite places but this was our first time staying at Camp Billy. Billy is incredibly kind and easy to communicate with. That always makes any rental a much more enjoyable experience. His location on the lake is one of the best. We had the privilege of going in the off season during the time of year when the leaves are changing all types of amazing colors. We enjoyed daily pontoon boat rides around the lake and sitting out on either the dock or the back porch and taking in the beautiful views. The master bed is very comfortable, the shower has plenty of hot water, and the kitchen is stocked with pretty much anything you could possibly need. We also loved that the property is dog friendly so you can take the furry friends along. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Thank you for sharing your cozy Mountain Home with us! It was perfect and just as described. We enjoyed the fireplace, beautiful sunsets, kitchen, and large back porch! We will look to stay again in warmer seasons as the lake is gorgeous! The pups enjoyed how friendly your space is too:)
Wow! Camp Billy was amazing! The main house with the enormous porch was awesome to hang out on. The boat house has everything you need and the whole experience could not have been better. Watching the sunsets and moon rise were incredible. Lake Summit is such a special place and you will feel right at home here! Billy is also a fabulous artist as you can tell from his artwork. Billy has obviously put a lot of thought into the house and we could not have wanted anything else. Our only regret was we left the dogs at home!
We've VRBOd much of the US and Europe. This is truly a special place. Billy was excellent and the location and views were stunning
Wouldn't rent again
As a family of 4, we spent a week relaxing at the camp just after our daughters finished their final exams. The accommodations were perfect, very comfortable, and spacious. We could easily spend time together as a family eating, chatting, and hanging out, or find places both indoors or outdoors to be alone to read, relax, or work. Highlights: the porch was awesome and we used it all the time, even when it was raining (which it did a lot the week we were there); the living room had comfortable furniture to lounge in and a fireplace that we used all the time; the dinning room had a long table that made it easy to eat, play, and work; the master bedroom was very comfortable; the cottage bedroom was a great place for our daughters to stay; the kitchen has everything you need to cook gourmet meals; the bathroom worked well; our dog was at home in both the house and the yard; the boathouse was well suited for chilling and sunbathing; the pontoon boat provided a great way to experience the lake; the view from the porch of the lake really made this camp a place to remember. Billy could not have been a better host, the camp could not have been better outfitted, and the location could not have been any more peaceful and relaxing.
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Total
Includes taxes and fees