In the evening, we wished for sweaters. The next morning we bought sweatshirts. Crisp, clear air is only one of many reasons to go to Mountain Lake. This quiet retreat in western Virginia has welcomed guests for 140 years to walk, canoe, fish, bike and rejuvenate. Ventilating fans whirl during the daytime, but coverlets come out at night.
People recreate outdoors in the absence of pesky insects, crowds and distractions.
Lawn chairs on the slopes facing the lake give an overview of people at leisure. A few boys kick a soccer ball, a couple play tennis and two families begin a croquet game. Young children try their hand at a giant chessboard, though they are just a bit taller than the king and queen. The heart of the property is the natural lake, one of only two in Virginia. Underground streams feed the lake and rarely allow its temperature to rise above 72 degrees.