OUR STORY
Married for over 20 years with four littles. Life gets crazy.
My better half is a wildland firefighter for North Carolina Forestry Service and I am a graphic designer.
Read our origin story here. We wanted a place that we could disconnect and reconnect with what really matters. Family is what it is all about. Come discover our secret to a happy life on Lake James.
Remember your why...
about to go for the big ride with John
Lauren and John, your hosts
the youngest, dockside
'boat hair, just don't care'
WHY BOOK WITH US?
FAMILY RUN
BUSINESS
LOCAL
KNOWLEDGE
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Play like a local
#BOOKDIRECT
Deal directly
with the owner
BEST PRICE GUARANTEE
No booking
fees ever
SECURE
PAYMENT
What Annie & August said...
July 2021
Gorgeous lake access + lovely and well-appointed home = you should stay here.
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We fully enjoyed our week at the Life Is Good cabin! We went on vacation with our 10-year-old, our 13-year-old, and their grandma, and everyone had an absolute blast. The location is terrific--right on one of the fingers of Lake James, with a dock and the use of a canoe. Also, there are two firepits, one of which is right on the beach. We took advantage of all the swimming and canoeing we could, exploring the islands on the lake, and had some great evenings around the fire.
The amenities are terrific (this is definitely the best-stocked and organized vacation home we have ever stayed at!), and the home is gorgeous. Lauren is a wonderful host and was really responsive when we needed to contact her.
What Ramona said...
August 2020
Nothing like making family memories together!
Thank you for opening up your family home to our family. We enjoyed meals on your scenic deck, canoeing, boating, and a lot of air hockey! Thanks for the memories.
What Beth said...
July 2020
An endlessly charming house.
Perfectly situated on the lake. Our twin boys spent the week jumping off the dock and floating in the cove. A couple of trips to the state park for hiking and a horseback riding adventure, but mostly just hanging on the deck and enjoying the views. What a great getaway spot. We look forward to our next opportunity to enjoy Lake James. Thanks for the hospitality!
What Karen said...
June 2020
We had a wonderful trip to the lake!
It was our first time at Lake James and we loved it. The boys caught lots of fish. Had fun jumping off the dock and generally just losing track of time. I loved hanging out on the upper deck! It was a perfect way to take a trip this summer and still be able to socially distance/stay safe. Thanks for everything!
What Lois said...
October 2019
Dragonboat racer's getaway
Lauren's home is absolutely lovely, very clean, comfortable, every amenity you could ever need, and the setting is gorgeous. The proximity to the entrance to Lake James made it so convenient for our Dragonboat races. We had a wonderful time and hope to return next year.
What Amy said...
September 2019
Beautiful setting and home.
Three couples had a wonderful weekend relaxing and enjoying the lake, the beautiful porch and the majestic Sycamore. Great place!
What Sammie said...
September 2019
Lovely home on the lake with beautiful mountain view. Very clean, very tasteful and interesting decor. Comfortable beds! Sit on the spacious deck with lots of comfortable chairs, glider or lower deck, swing, or down to the pier. The owner is wonderful to work with and has gone the extra mile to make this an outstanding place to vacation. And my Corgi loved it, too. Lots of exciting sounds and smells.
What Tony said...
August 2019
Great cabin for a family vacation
Nice cabin in a great location for a family vacation.
What Margaret said...
No, I didn't pay her to say these super kind things :) She's just that awesome.
July 2019
Life is indeed good at the cozy Life is Good cabin! We enjoyed a fabulous week, swimming and boating but also just sitting on the beautiful new deck of this quaint cottage. Lauren has thought of everything - covered porch swing, a grill, deck cooler, fire pit closer to the lake and even a canoe. Inside, the house is super organized and clean. The house is not extravagantly large, but it never felt small, even with our family of 4 and 2 dogs. Plenty of private spaces when needed to read, nap or just watch your own TV choice. Kitchen is wonderfully stocked with utensils and tools for just about any concoction and there is a great selection of books, dvds and board games available too. We especially loved the accommodations for our older dogs - kennel, water bowls, and treats were waiting for them even though we packed most of our own. Our children are young adults now, but I noticed many details to make this a perfect place for families with little ones. Kid sized plates, cups, chairs, changing table just to name a few. This may not be guaranteed for each visitor, but we enjoyed a week with NO rain! Maybe Lauren can pull that off for YOU when you rent this awesome place!
What George said...
May 2019
A gem in disguise!
The pictures shown do not do this house justice. It is a beauty in disguise! You feel relaxed and at home the minute you walk in. The owner is easily assessible and all the information provided, a bonus. The dog biscuits made us smile.
What Jeff said...
May 2019
Nice Lake GetAWay
Beautiful home, in nice protected cove. Well-appointed kitchen, beautiful new deck, and private dock. Feels Like Home.
What Hillary said...
November 2018
This house was great for a weekend getaway with the family! There was tons of space and extra amenities. The kitchen was super stocked with everything we needed for cooking a bunch of meals. And it was nice being on the lake and sitting by the bonfire at night.
What Carol said...
October 2018
The Life is Good cabin was perfect for our group! It's a beautiful cabin located on the lake with gorgeous views! There is a dock to sit on, a covered porch to sit on and a picnic area to hang out at! The cabin was clean, comfortable and the bedrooms are spread out with a bathroom for each! We brought our dog Josey and there were dog bowls and treats waiting for her! Lauren was easy, friendly and accommodating to work with! We plan on staying here again next year!!! It's a perfect home away from home!
What Suzanne said...
October 2018
Wonderness!
Life is Good cabin was perfect for a little R and R for my husband and my birthdays! We brought our boat. The landing is really close to put in and the private dock to the cabin is so convenient. Parking for vehicle and trailer is also great. The cabin is clean and everything that you could possibly need to live there for a week is readily available. With plenty of room for a family plus. We will definitely rent again. Highly recommend.
What Kate said...
September 2018
This place literally has everything you need. And everything is labeled clearly so you can find it! It is a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle. Early morning coffee on the dock is a must.
What Jill said...
July 2018
Love the closeness to the water! Enjoyed the beach and the fire pit!
After boating out in the sun all day it was great to sit on the dock in the shade and relax!
What Lee said...
May 2018
Excellent lake weekend.
What Anne said...
May 2018
We loved our stay! Having a private dock on the lake really sold me on this place and it did not disappoint! Will definitely be back to beautiful Lake James and hopefully have more time to explore the surrounding area. We never left the house this whole trip because we were enjoying the lake so much.
What Joseph said...
September 2017
Had a great week at this home! Great access to lake! Fun to bring tubes and float in the cove, take out the kayak, swim, jump off the dock and rent a pontoon! Perfect atmosphere for bonfire at night and right by the lake! House is clean and has lots of room! Pots, pans, and other cooking items were up to date and I feel that is hard to find at rentals! We will be back!
What Christy said...
September 2017
Lauren is an awesome and very kind person. She was there to answer any questions if I had them. The home was at the end of a street on Lake James. It was a wonderful home with a gorgeous serin view of the lake and the mountains. She also allowed pets at her home which was great for us because we needed a place to go away from Hurricane Irma! The home had 3 separate levels which made it nice it people wanted their privacy. I would highly recommend the home. There are more things we want to see there and we will be back! Thank u very much Lauren for your hospitality.
What Michael said...
September 2017
My family and I stayed in this charming camp. It is located in a cove with a very nice view of the lake. The lake access is just a walk down the stairway to a dock that the kids enjoyed jumping off and swimming. The camp was well maintained and clean. The kitchen is updated and well stocked with everything you would need for your stay.