The Camp Awaiti story.

Situated in the tiny, picturesque hamlet of New Russia, NY, Camp Awaiti was purchased by Annette (Aussie) and Michael (Kiwi) Simons in August 2021. The previous owner, a distinguished New York City lawyer, had lovingly maintained the house and barns over his 25-year custodianship, using it mainly as a basecamp for his infrequent fishing activities, and the entire property was in remarkably good shape when the Simons acquired it. The Civil War era, original 2-bedroom farmhouse, onto which the main house had been adjoined around 1918, was occupied by a brilliantly resourceful and diligent caretaker who kept everything in good working condition through all that time.

In the period since Annette and Michael moved in, they have totally re-decorated the main house, completed a gut renovation of the Civil War era farmhouse (now named The Batch) and executed a similar full make-over of a holiday cabin on the property (now named The Bothy), plus sundry other improvements and additions.

The name Camp Awaiti (pronounced Ar Waa eetie) is a homage to a similarly named property owned, and loved, by Michael’s parents in the northland of New Zealand. Awaiti means ‘small river or brook’ in native New Zealand Māori and as Michael’s parents’ property had a beautiful little stream running through it, it seemed like the perfect moniker. Annette and Michael’s new home in the Adirondack mountains also has a brook running through it and so it was a joy for them to christen their new home Awaiti and continue a lovely family tradition.

The property consists of the main 4-bedroom house, the adjacent civil war 2-bedroom farmhouse, two holiday cabins, three large barns (one of which is 80 feet long with a hayloft which Annette and Michael have plans to turn into a entertainment space) and an off-grid hunting cabin up in the hills, sitting beside a flowing brook. Within the 140 acres of private forest, including a secluded ¾ mile of the mighty Bouquet River, Camp Awaiti enjoys abundant bird life, private swimming holes, dramatic views and tranquility, and convenient proximity to climbing, hiking, mountain and road biking, kayaking and canoeing, and pond swimming in summer, ice climbing, down-hill and cross-country skiing in winter. Plus, of course, the challenge of the famous 46 peaks of the majestic Adirondack mountains.

On summer days laze in the hammock or sway on the swing under the Northern white Cedar tree, BBQ or picnic in the garden or relax in the evening with a drink around the fire pit and count the shooting stars in the brilliant northern sky. It really is the perfect ‘all season’ Adirondack escape.

 

The property is covered by super-fast wi-fi so remote working (if you need to) is not an issue.

Camp Awaiti is:

12 minutes from Keene Valley   -  10 minutes from Elizabeth Town   -  20 minutes from Keene - 40 minutes to Lake Placid   -  45 minutes to Whiteface Mountain Resort   

4.5 hours from NYC - 5 hours from Boston, MA  -  2 hours from Montreal, CANADA   -  2 hours from Albany, NY

1.2 hours (including an awesome car ferry ride across gorgeous Lake Champlain) from Burlington, VT