Step back in time!
Bethel, Marshall County, United States View On Map
About this Rental
Step back in time! Modeled after a hostel/tavern that sat at the top of the mountain for 200 years, the house is outfitted with a myriad of turn-of-the-century treats: parlor stove, bar, (electrified) oil lamps, clawfoot tub, hand-crank phone, even a player piano, but has all the modern conveniences. Situated in 120 acres of your own private forest, the home is secluded, very private, and yet only...
Step back in time! Modeled after a hostel/tavern that sat at the top of the mountain for 200 years, the house is outfitted with a myriad of turn-of-the-century treats: parlor stove, bar, (electrified) oil lamps, clawfoot tub, hand-crank phone, even a player piano, but has all the modern conveniences. Situated in 120 acres of your own private forest, the home is secluded, very private, and yet only 2000 feet from the Appalachian Trail.THE SPACESit on a porch rocker, sipping a lager while you watch the wildlife saunter by. Soak your bones in a clawfoot tub while reading the latest L. Frank Baum. Jump into the ice-cold swimming hole. Fall asleep in a chaise lounge while warming your toes by the coal grate. Hike the green trail with the kids and dog to meet George F, the bear. Or hike the new adventure trails in the Hundred Acre Wood.The house sleeps eight: a queen bed in the vast master bedroom, another in the middle room, and 4 twin-sized beds in bunkroom. There are bed linens and towels galore, enough for an army, so don’t bring your own. Soaps? They’re there. Forgot your toothbrush? Yup, there’s spares.The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and all the tools to satisfy the most discriminating foodie. The cupboard’s fully stocked with spices, flours, oils, and vinegars, and the fridge is stocked with all the condiments you want so you don’t have to worry about the little stuff. Is there coffee? Yes, both whole bean and ground. The small bar, a tribute to the home’s tavern origin, is never stocked out of respect for guests who may be in recovery; the Blue Mountain House is very much a BYOB establishment. Note: induction stoves, though super-efficient, only work with ferrous metals (steel, iron), so if you bring your favorite aluminum pot it will not work. However there are tons of high-quality ferrous pots, pans, dutch ovens, etc, etc onsite for you to use. Planning a family feast? We got you. Open the flyleaves of console table and set it beside the oak dining room table (they’re the same size), gather all the extra chairs, and seat twelve. Break out the serving platters!The home is heated and cooled by a state of the art HVAC system. In winter, feel free to make it extra cozy by firing up the parlor stove in the living room or the Victorian grate in the master bedroom. The water heater is on-demand, so go ahead and fill the tub. A full size washer and dryer await upstairs for your convenience.OUTSIDEThe fire pit behind the house comes with a stack of firewood; please don’t bring your own so we can avoid invasive insects. And the fire pit doubles as a grill; see the house notebook for hints on cooking on an open flame.The swimming hole behind the house is about 5 feet deep. It’s a bit mucky, but we’re working on it. A rope swing hangs from the far side. Be aware, the water is **cold**. Three inner tubes are supplied for summer delights. Because of its constant flow, it never freezes over in winter, so no ice skating. You’ll just have to settle for the toboggan in winter.The two main hiking trails are marked. The green trail starts behind the garage. Follow it to meet George F. The red trail heads high off the green about halfway through. It leads to the “Gazebo in the Clouds.” Climb at your own risk (alas, your host’s fear of heights and a past unfortunate experience with a ladder prevents him from ever being able to climb it. Two rungs is as far as he’s ever gotten).LOCATIONBlue Mountain House sits on the abandoned road that used to be the main route over the Blue Mountain between Berks and Schuylkill Counties. It’s about 2100 feet due south of the Appalachian Tail at the Fort Dietrich Snyder monument stone. The steepest part of the route from below is paved, but in winter, four wheel drive is a necessity, and will be required.Cabela's is 12 miles away and Lancaster County 40 miles. The house is 164 miles from Washington, 130 from NYC, 92 from Philly. Gettysburg is 80 miles away, Knoebel's Amusement Resort is 30, and Hershey Park is 35. Both the Yeungling Brewery and Rausch Creek are 22 minutes away. Maps, guidebooks, and a custom notebook list the hundreds of other activities, adventures and amusements nearby.What's provided? The house has a supplemental coal stove converted to propane at the stone fireplace in the living room and another in the master bedroom; a 43" flatscreen TV with basic cable, Dolby sound, blu-ray DVD player, all connected on the local wifi with high speed internet. There are plenty of board games and wondrous libraries for adults and kids.The fully-equipped kitchen has everything you need: induction stove, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, with hand-crank bean grinder, crockpot, fridge, dishwasher (hooray!), cooking utensils, pots and pans, flatware, dishes, and glasses. I provide basic staples like ketchup, mustard, mayo, butter, sugar, flours, teas, olive oil, vinegar and spices so you don’t need to worry about the little stuff. And of course I include the ingredients for the must-use spaghetti ice cream press.In the seat of the hall tree at the front door is a 3-ring binder of instructions on how to work all the home utilities (TV, cable, wifi, thermostats, trash), along with the 14-page list of local activities, and a map to the AT.There are 2 main bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, and a bunk room that sleeps 4. Have an extended family? The companion "Cozy Appalachian Trail Cottage" and "Kittatinny Ridge Retreat" are just downhill. Book all 3 at a special rate.When you come, bring a printed copy of the directions, a flashlight, and food; a tablet or laptop and cellphone. I provide all the bed and bath linens, household papers, and soaps; firewood and kindling. Do not bring your own firewood as it may house infestations of dangerous insects like the spotted lantern fly and emerald ash borer.Because there are multiple deadly risks (you could get attacked by a bear, bitten by a snake, drown in the pond, fall from a tree, gas yourself with the parlor stove; oh, there's lots of good old-fashioned mortal dangers here), you will be required to sign a formal rental agreement and release before admittance.
Popular amenities
Essentials
- Wireless internet
- Free wifi
- Internet
- Towels provided
- Linens provided
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Shampoo
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Basic soaps
- Telephone
- Heating
- Desk
- Desk chair
Kitchen
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Stove
- Oven
- Dishes & utensils
- Dining table
- Coffee maker
- Coffee grinder
- Kettle
- Blender
- Ice maker
- Toaster
Outside
- Fire pit
- Water sports gear
Laundry
- Washing machine
- Clothes dryer
Parking
- Parking
Safety
- Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
- Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
- Cabinet locks
Location type
- Mountain
Nearby activities
- Swimming
- Water tubing
- Cross-country skiing
- Sledding
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Mountain biking
- Horseback riding
- Antiquing
- Wildlife viewing
- Birdwatching
Suitability
- Minimum age limit for renters
Property Amenities
Top family friendly amenities
- Toys/games
- Microwave
- Kitchen
Popular amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
- Pet-friendly
Property Details
House Rules
- Check-in: After 9:00 AM
- Minimum age to rent: 21
- Check-out: Before 7:00 PM
- Children allowed: ages 0–17
- Events allowed: No
- Pets allowed: less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
- Smoking allowed: Smoking is not permitted
- Guest must return completed rental agreement within 10 days of booking or three days before arrival whichever comes first.: Guest must return completed rental agreement within 10 days of booking or three days before arrival whichever comes first.
Important Information
- This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
- Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
- Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
- Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
- On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
- Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
- Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Bethel
Located in Bethel, this holiday home is in the mountains. Conrad Weiser Homestead and Cornwall Iron Furnace are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Ghost Town Gulch and Mountain Springs Arena. Koziar's Christmas Village and Berks Lanes are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Nearby locations
- Mountain Springs Arena 9 min drive
- Roadside America 9 min drive
- Vraj Temple 9 min drive
- Koziar's Christmas Village 15 min drive
- Yuengling Brewery and Museum 22 min drive
Getting around
- Reading, PA (RDG-Reading Regional) 27 min drive
Restaurants
- McDonald's 8 min drive
- Friedensburg Country Restaurant 14 min drive
- Lake Wynonah Lodge 12 min drive
- Kauffman's Bar-B-Que Chicken 7 min drive
- Trainers Midway Diner 5 min drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Step back in time! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.
What time is check-in at Step back in time!?
Check-in begins at 9:00 AM.
What time is check-out at Step back in time!?
Checkout is at 7:00 PM.
Where is Step back in time! located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Fawn Lake, Vraj Temple and Ghost Town Gulch. Roadside America and Mountain Springs Arena are also within 9 miles (15 km).