Lakefront Retreat w/ Deck, Dock, Sandy Beach, 3 watercraft
Orleans Vacation Rental - ID 36890

My family and I have spent summers in Orleans since 1980. We were expats living in London, but several of my parents' best friends had homes on the Cape and it quickly became our ''happy place'' too.

We rented all over town for a couple weeks a year, refining our preferences (and tolerances) for more than two decades until a chance kayak outing led them to discover the ''goldilocks'' property. In a nutshell, it offered the all-too-rare ''sunset view over water'' they sought. The result is WNAV's property #31120, a 4-bedroom gem on Mill Pond with views west and over Nauset Harbor. I feel privileged to have many enthusiastic repeat visitors.

In late 2022 my wife and I bought a 2-bedroom hideaway on Orleans's beloved Crystal Lake - WNAV's property #36890. After an extensive makeover, we are now proud to share it with vacationers. It has all-new furniture, many updated amenities, a new roof, tankless water heater, updated outdoor shower, and an elegant new pathway. The small sandy beach, new waterfront deck (next to the vintage boathouse), four watercraft, and swim dock make the place magical.

I manage rentals in California so handle both properties' bookings, finances, and upkeep with a local builder/contractor and his son serving as my eyes, ears, and hands.

Although we'd love to keep summering in Orleans, we also like to share (smile). My goal is to find appreciative, responsible vacationers and off-season renters who'll bond with these sanctuaries and return regularly.

What is special about this property?
12 Mill Race - If there were no house already on this parcel of land, the Town of Orleans' current zoning wouldn't allow one to be built. That's because of how close the house is to the water (to the north and west), and how close it is to a permanent nature preserve (just the other side of the rock wall on the west edge of the yard). But it could also be because this house has infinitely better and broader views than Grandview homes five times its size up the hill.

Watching the sunset from the west deck (or almost anywhere else in the house) has always been a hush-inducing experience. And being so close to Mill Pond affords other special privileges, like watching seals play and stir up the water as they corral fish.

7 Pond Road #1 - Crystal Lake, Orleans' second-largest freshwater pond, is not only gorgeous but tranquil, and accessing it without traffic or parking worries (as often occurs at the south end's entrance) only improves the experience. The house and patio's southern aspect, large lawn, sandy beach, brand new deck, four watercraft, and outdoor shower's infinite supply of hot water) will further enhance your stay.

The house sleeps 6 (two queen beds upstairs and a queen-sized sleeper sofa downstairs) and is comfortable, functional, and well-organized. Its central location (~1 mile to Hwy 6 and 6A, and ~100 yards to Hwy 28) gives quick access to our favorite places, like Mahoney's Atlantic Bar & Grill, the Hot Chocolate Sparrow and, for groceries, Friends' Market.

What is special about your town?
Orleans has charm, history, and plenty of amenities to offer multiple generations. From its highly successful minor league baseball team (the Orleans Firebirds) to its deeply nautical culture and old-Cape architecture, it's hard to get bored here. Even if all you do is bake on the beaches (Nauset or Skaket), when the weather's right there's no place quite as comfortable and relaxing. And if you're a cyclist, the 25-mile Cape Code Rail Trail goes right through town and all the way north to Provincetown.

East Orleans, at the eastern end of Beach Road heading toward Nauset Beach, is (IMO) a ''thickly settled'' and wealthy area with a great climate (especially from July through mid-October), and more topological variety than most of the Cape. Yes, there are hills, even cliffs, which make views of the Atlantic all the more dramatic. Before the sun gets too high you can sometimes see spouting whales. And of course there's water everywhere -- both the fresh and salted kind -- so swimming is feasible even if you never enter the ocean.

Being outdoorsy, my favorite activity is to hike along Nauset Beach north to ''The Cut'' and back along Nauset Harbor. It's 7 miles, mostly in soft sand, so it can be challenging. There are, however, barking seals aplenty to keep you company, and in late June and early July the horseshoe crabs mate -- now there's an unforgettable sight. Finally, before digging for shellfish, check o