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When Belinda Phillips bought a 18th century farmhouse and attached barn in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, she renovated it to suit her life’s interests: practicing and teaching yoga, hiking and cross country skiing, gardening, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets in a space large enough to accommodate all of them.

And because Belinda loves the beauty of her surroundings and wants to share it with others, she has recently decided to rent some of her space to visitors to the White Mountain region.

Best of all, her place is dog friendly. With large fenced in front and back yards, hiking trail steps away, a relaxed atmosphere, and the beauty of the mountains as a backdrop, this is the perfect place for weekend getaway with the dog(s).

Belinda met us at her space in Thornton, NH, just outside of Campton, on a Friday afternoon with her two mini-Aussies in tow. As our two dogs became acquainted with hers, Belinda gave us a tour of her home. Visitors enter from the ground level and take a stairway to the main floor. Light pours into this serene area from a wall of windows. On the day we arrived, gentle meditative music played in the background, and a subtle fresh herbal scent filled the space. The rough-hewn beams of the original barn structure have been retained and serve functional and aesthetic purposes everywhere. The rich dark wood of the beams adds a lovely contrast to the soft yellows and greens of the main floor, which houses her yoga studio (Yoga for Everyone!) as well as a small functional kitchen space, a wood burning stove, and a large full bath.

To use the vast space of the barn effectively, Belinda designed loft like areas for her living room, bedrooms, and additional bath. A stairway leads to the loft space—no need to use the decorative ladder that visually links the bottom and upper levels. Here, a sweet nook of a space with a wraparound couch, a low bench, and a TV offer a place to hang out. You can look out from this area to the floor below; the metal horizontal rails provide safety but do not obstruct the feeling of openness and add a contemporary feel to the design. Touches of comfort abound: quilts hang over the rails, pieces of pottery and ceramics are placed in strategic spots. However, this is not a cluttered place filled with bric a brac: you get the feeling everything is chosen carefully for comfort and serenity.

The guest room Belinda rents is small but cozy, with one queen bed, a dresser, and a small closet. Her taste in bed linens is exquisite! I have to admit having grown up with bad quality sheets I have become somewhat of a thread count snob, and these sheets and duvet were heavenly. Guests have the use of the full guest bath on the first floor and are welcome to use the TV area and the kitchen.

Dogs (and people) can step out from the kitchen area to a large deck with a ramp for greater access. Since the quarter-acre yard, graced with an old crabapple tree, is fenced in, dogs can romp with glee. We saw it happen! The front yard is fenced in too. Our pets were so happy sniffing new smells and playing they weren’t even scratching at the door to come in every five minutes like they do at home.

On the first day of our visit, Belinda offered to take us for a hike with all the dogs. We agreed happily and followed our host by car a few miles away to a state groomed trail system. It was glorious—the trail we chose followed the path of a large creek that alternately displayed waterfalls, serene pools, and lively eddies. It was great fun to watch the dogs running ahead and back, playing with each other, dipping into the creek, and generally having a blast. We knew they’d have a contented sleep that night. (They did).

Belinda pointed out trails suitable for cross-country skiing, one of her passions, and noted others that were wide and smooth enough for mountain bikers. We enjoyed the hike so much we did it again the next day, stretching it out to stop here and there along the riverside to take it all in. Belinda pointed out another trail steps from her home, where there is also a small pond that looked perfect for ice-skating in the deeper winter.

Eating, Drinking, Looking Around

There are quite a few choices for eating out within a three or four mile range of Thornton. We chose a nearby spot in Campton recommended by Belinda called the Mad River Tavern. Our meals were fine, especially the real mashed potatoes and butternut squash as side dishes and the crispy baguettes. For breakfast, we visited the Mad River Roastery, a local coffee shop that roasts it own beans and offers breakfast sandwiches and pastries. A nearby market has all the necessities if you choose to cook yourself.

One of the location markers near Belinda’s place is Artistic Roots, a local artist coop. We visited here and chatted with another dog friendly woman behind the counter. The coop supports local artists using a variety of media: weaving, glass, jewelry, pottery, photography, and quite a few of the recycling crafts. I made good use of the time by picking up a few holiday gifts for my sister and supporting the local economy.

If you are looking to get out of town for a night or two with or without your dog, I highly recommend Belinda’s place. Her place is gay and lesbian friendly, and singles are also very welcome. If you plan well, you can take a yoga class, too!

Guest Room Rates
$60.00 per night with one dog
$10.00 for each additional dog.
$650.00 per week.

Whole Barn Space
$200.00 per night with one dog
Limit of 3 dogs and 4 people
$800.00 per week.

To book space or to inquire further, contact Belinda Phillips at <yoga4ever@verizon.net>

– by Lena Burgio (DogBoston writer)

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