Private Pool, Peaceful Central Location Between Williamstown MA and Bennington VT for All Colleges, Museums, Attractions, Recreation, Entertainment and Fabulous Fine and Casual Dining

Recently renovated 2 bedroom (one bedroom is partially open to living room) fully-appointed, secluded apartment with full kitchen and laundry is the only rental unit in barn complex housing gallery, studio and owner's very separate residence. Over 1,000 sq.ft. includes queen bedroom, king bed in large alcove off living room, and comfy double pull-out sofa in living room. In fact, people rave about how comfortable ALL the beds are! Guests also comment that apartment is actually a lot more spacious than it appears in the photos. Unit is mostly handicapped-accessible depending on requirements as there are no steps.

Living room has comfortable seating for four plus three squishy memory-foam ottomans for people who do better draped on furniture than sitting in it. Other seating, including two rocking chairs, can be moved into the living area when needed. At the opposite end of the room is the dining room that comfortably seats six.

Full kitchen has butcher block counters, dishwasher, microwave, range with oven, refrigerator-freezer, and all dishes, pots, utensils, and the usual small appliances. Take quick meals for two in the kitchen if you prefer, and your more relaxed meals in the dining area of the living room, or make it a special event grilling in the courtyard or picnicking on the lawn.

Entrance to the apartment is through a heated mud room (ideal for skies, boots and other outdoor equipment) into large foyer with a huge closet storing the cleaning and ironing equipment, portable crib, self-inflating bed, and plenty of room left for all your luggage, golf clubs, outdoorwear, and then some.

Bathroom has a double shower, full-sized washer and dryer, and a separate in-the-wall heating unit for those preferring it extra toasty. It is completed vented with a fan on a timer so you can shave or blow dry your hair (dryer provided) the minute you step out of a steamy shower. Bathroom cabinets contain extra bed linens, plenty of towels and an adjacent roomy closet containing extra blankets and pillows and even more room for hanging clothes.

Entertainment features include flat-screen cable TV, VCR, DVD, iPod compatible stereo, WiFi for some - hardwire hookup for others, games, books, and VCS / CD library.

Outside you can enjoy a huge privacy-protected yard with a fenced brick courtyard with umbrella table and charcoal grill for outdoor dining, and a private pool (passive solar heated) available in season which in Vermont is June/July/August/maybe a little Sept. with your fingers crossed. Hot tub by (last minute) request, although at the height of the summer it is drained for cleaning. Large flat yard is perfect for games and also has a fire pit and dog walk area. Plenty of off-street parking available as well as a safe area for motorcycles. Rental includes use of two bikes and helmuts, and outdoor game equipment.

This is a perfect location for exploring three states. It's six miles to BOTH Williamstown MA and Bennington VT, each with scores of recreational, entertainment, culinary, and cultural venues. Convenient to Bennington College, Southern Vermont College, Williams College and MCLA. Over 35 rated restaurants within a 10 mile radius! It's also six miles to the New York State border with even more buccolic scenes, hikes to lengendary views, and a middle-of-nowhere pub we're rather found of.

Hiking: Access to two points on the Appalachian / Long Trails is nearby as well as access trail to the Taconic Crest Trail. Too-numerous-to-count additional snowshoeing and hiking trails ranging from moderately easy to strenuous will be referred upon request. We can supply maps from www.trails.com for most areas.

Scenic drives and rides: GREAT PAVED AND UNPAVED ROADS for motorcycles, regular bikes and fuddy duds (like us) in cars! Pownal was selected for 2010 BMW RA International Rally and we have all the routes they suggested to the participants! We also have a 'hidden' backroads local foliage trip we only share with our guests. Scene at top of this page is across the street from our location and can be viewed from the farm of a friend.

Golf: Taconic Golf Course, 7 miles; Waubeeka Golf Links, 10 miles; Mt Anthony Country Club, 7 miles. Many others within a short drive. Tennis: Mt Anthony Country Club, 7 miles, and Bennington Rec Center, 7 miles.

  
Fishing / Boating:  River, pond, and lake venues too numerous to list. Trout fishing on the Hoosic River (right here in Pownal) is an undiscovered treasure. Famed canoeing and fishing on the Batten Kill is an easy 24 miles straight up route 7;row boat, canoe and kayak rental 15 miles away; sail board and jet ski rental 27 miles away; adventure kayaking / rafting (and zip line canopy tour) 52 miles away. Seasonal white water opportunities. Orvis' flagship store is 30 miles north and worth the trip. FOr more information on the store and area fly-fishing see http://www.orvis.com/manchester.

Swimming: Well, there's our pool and informal swimmin' holes all over the place - google it! But for those who want a legitimate place with a name there's the aforementioned Lake Paran at 13 miles, Lake Saftsbury State Park at 17 miles and Woodford State Park at 15 miles.

Agritourism: Apple Barn and orchard (seasonal): 5 miles. Sweet Brook Farm, 11 miles, Green River Farm: 11 miles. Adams Farm: 30 miles. Numerous local farms selling produce, maple syrup, free-range eggs, raw milk, honey, etc. Farmer's Market on Saturday and Tuesday. Add to that a butcher shop selling locally sourced meat and poultry as well as ready-to-cook homemade entrees; and a fabulous bakery. At our location enjoy Vermont's Best Ice Cream and Vermonster Dogs, all made locally.

Downhill skiing: 20 miles to Jiminy Peak, 35 miles to Mt Snow, 36 miles to Bromley Mtn, 46 miles Magic Mtn, 48 miles to Stratton. Cross country skiing: 9 miles to Prospect Mountain, 12 miles to Taconic Trail, 21 miles to Mt Greylock, 32 miles to Pineridge, and 37 miles to Notchview. Sledding and tubing: numerous local locations. Snowmobiling: 17 miles to Twin Brooks, 36 miles to Bromley. Have your own? 15 miles to woodford. Ice Skating: 13 miles to Lake Paran. Indoor ice skating at Williams College seasonally available - inquire directly at college.

Local attractions: Bennington Museum (with Club Muse) and Grandma Moses Museum, Bennington Center for the Arts with Oldcastle Theater and Covered Bridge Museum, Vermont Art Exchange's Basement Music Series at the Sage St. Mill, Camelot Village Antiques and Craft Centers, Bennington Battle Monument, Old Bennington, Old First Church and Robert Frost burial site, Robert Frost Stone House Museum, New England Tropical Conservatory, Hemmings Motor News filling station and vintage car display, Mt. Anthony Country Club, Bennington Potters, Bennington Fish Hatchery, Park-McCullough House, five covered bridges, Equinox Skyline Drive, Norman Rockwell Exhibition at The Sugar Shack, Hildene (Lincoln family home), Manchester Center outlet stores. In MA: Clark Art Institute, Mass MoCA, Williams College Art Gallery, Williamstown Theater Festival.

And right across the border in NYS we even have a family owned and operated drive-in movie theater that serves GOOD FOOD! Vermont multiplex also available for those so inclined.

Local VT Events: 1/29/11 - Winter Festival, 3/13/11 - St Patrick's Day Parade, 4/30/11 - Aurora Dance Party, 5/28/11 - MayFest Arts & Crafts Fair, 6/1-30/11 - June Arts (various events all month), 6/11-17/11 - The Great Race Chattanooga TN to Benninton VT, 7/21/11 - Midnight Madness, 7/15/11-8/26/11 - Free Concert Series, 8/14/11 - Battle Day Parade, 8/16/11 - Bennington Battle Day, 9/3-4/11 - Garlic & Herb Festival, 9/16-18/11 - Bennington Antique and Classic Car Show, 9/17-18/11 - Bennington Quilt Fest, 9/23/11 Brewfest, 10/29/11 - Fallapalooza, 11/11/11 - Veterens' Day Parade, 2/3/11 - Holiday Celebration. Local MA Events: To come.

Nearby: Hancock Shaker Village: 32 miles, Tanglewood Music Center: 35 miles, Berkslire Botanical Gardens - 39 miles, Norman Rockwell Museum: 43 miles, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival: 47 miles, Saratoga Race Course: 58 miles.

Dog under certain circumstances - please inquire. First dog free. Rates 10/31/11-5/24/12: Weeknight $135, weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun) $150, and weekly $870. Rates include taxes and fees and are for four guests in two beds.  Additional guests, beds, or dogs are $15 each per night.  Security deposit required. Cleaning fee charged if more than standard cleaning required. After 5/24/12 add $15 per night or $100 per week.

Please email us at pk@palmerkane.com or phone 802 823 9308 for further information and availability.    - Happy Vacation Hunting, Pat & Gabe