Living in Vero Beach is pretty much like living in paradise, but as hard as it is to believe, even people who live and work in paradise year round need a change of scenery. In Indian River County that change of scenery and environment can be had by driving west from the Ocean on Route 60 to Blue Cypress Lake.
As you drive out of town, the stores, restaurants, and housing developments start to thin out, until there is nothing but earth and sky flashing by on both sides of the road. The stress melts away west of I-95 as the miles fly by and time slips away.
Just past Twenty Mile Run Ranch, you take a right turn onto Blue Cypress Road, and enjoy driving on a road with no cars for miles. Near Middleton’s Fish Camp you turn into the neighborhood of Blue Cypress Lake, about as far away from the beach as you can get and still be in Indian River County.
In this tiny fishing village, people are laid back and casual. Houses are close to each other and there is no other civilization around for miles. The stars are shine brilliantly on cool, clear evenings and wildlife is all around. What do people do out here?
They fish. And relax. And sit out on their back decks, enjoying the view of Blue Cypress Lake, the headwaters of the St. John’s River.
Blue Cypress Lake was got its name because the cypress trees on and around the lake look blue in the rays of the morning sun. One of the top osprey breeding sites in the country, the lake and its environs also are home to myriad other bird, fish and mammal species. Not to mention Florida’s trademark alligators.
Those who have visited here know it is a magical spot in nature – a spot that happens to be the location of this week’s featured house: a quaint but modernly equipped fishing cottage right on the water.
The house at 21711 73rd Place was built in 1996 and is turn-key ready, offering buyers linens, furniture, and even a pontoon boat, along with this lovely retreat set on a branch of the lake, which is the starting point of the St. John’s River, one of the few rivers to flow north.
The views out here are panoramic. The lake is approximately 6,600 acres and Middleton’s Fish Camp, right next door, is the only place for miles where you can get fishing tips, bait, sodas, and anything you might need on the water.
The cottage itself is located on the south side of the south finger of the lake, and has a fenced-in yard. The view of the house from offshore is like a picture perfect oil painting. Tall, leafy trees dripping with Spanish moss surround the lake and the cottage. The deck is the perfect spot for a leisurely cup of coffee in the morning, as well as cookouts and cocktails in the evening.
The floorplan of the house is simple. When you walk in the front door, the living room greets you and stretches back to the kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors extend along the wall to give the room a fresh, sunny feeling. The living room and dining room are carpeted and the rest of the house has wood floors, except for the bathrooms, which are tiled.
The open kitchen has updated appliances, as well as stackable washer and dryer, the bathrooms have showers and tubs and the bedrooms are comfortably-sized with closets.
A carport keeps vehicles safe from the weather. There is gate and passageway on the side of the house that make it easy to launch a boat.
This house is the perfect home for a fisherman or fisherwoman or anyone who loves nature. It is a great second home to which you can retreat when things get harried in paradise.