A Little Gem in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

My husband found the listing for the Bent Arrow cabin randomly on craigslist last summer, and we fell in love with Island Pond in Brighton, Vermont.   We recently spent Labor Day weekend here and I am happy to share this special place with you.

Tucked away in the Northeast Kingdom, the Bent Arrow offers waterfront and mountain views and peace and quiet – a nice escape from Boston!  A four-hour drive from our home, the cabin is located off 91N and then another 20 miles north of Burke Mountain.

Once off the highway, we typically stop for pizza and beer at the Trout River Brewery in Lyndonville or The Pub Outback or Willy’s Restaurant, both located in East Burke.  Don’t forget to try a Switchback Ale, only available on tap in Vermont! 

The cabin offers a master bedroom and a smaller bedroom with two twin beds, a gorgeous fireplace for the chilly nights, a screened-in front porch and a large bathroom with a claw foot tub.

Outside, there’s a picnic table where we eat breakfast and lunch and a dock where we tie up our flat-bottom boat.   The folks who own the cabin live next door and generously offer use of their paddleboat, kayaks and canoes.  They have also taken us for a few afternoon cruises on their pontoon boat, which is really fun.  

Outdoor activities include fishing, swimming, biking and boating, and if you enjoy running, Island Pond is 5.5 miles around and offers some pretty views.  Other than that, there’s nothing else to do but relax, read sip some wine and listen to the loons.

In the town of Brighton, there’s a small restaurant The Pond’s Edge but after a few snacks there, we prefer grilling or cooking our own meals.  There are a few shops and a couple grocery stores, as well as two campgrounds, including Brighton State Park, which also offers hiking trails.

On Sunday morning, we hiked two miles to the summit of Bluff Mountain.  We enjoyed the hike up the Community Trail and the as you can see, the view was very rewarding.  

Should you decide to follow the Lookout Trail to descend rather than the Community Trail, remember that the walk is very steep and very rocky.  The husband was fine but the climb down made me nervous. 

We look forward to our next visit to Island Pond.  If you're interested in the Bent Arrow, please leave a comment and I'll contact you. Oh, and did I mention the fabulous sunsets?