Five Ways to Experience Shore Lodge at Home

It’s the simple things in life that matter the most. Laughing so hard your belly hurts. Watching the slow formation of a rainbow after summer rainfall. The very first bite of a homemade apple pie. Staying at Shore Lodge offers all these feelings and more. For 70+ years, this has been the perfect place to lollygag as you admire the breathtaking Salmon River Mountains from your room, or head out on an adventure in McCall’s endless backcountry trails.

Whether restless to embark on your next vacation or looking to get a taste of Shore Lodge to relive your last visit, here are five ways you can emulate a stay at our hotel from the ease of your own home.

1. Scrub It UP! A DIY Body Scrub Recipe Courtesy of The Cove

The Cove leaves you feeling reenergized, refreshed and raring to go! Whether you are a facial fan or massage maniac, The Cove has got you covered. If booking a treatment at The Cove isn’t in your immediate future, why not try this body polish idea at home? Now more than ever, it’s essential to take some time out of the day for self-care. Take advantage of the extra time at home and pamper yourself with this spa-grade scrub.

Wild Honey Lavender Body Scrub

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• A few drops of 100% pure lavender essential oil (or substitute with your favorite essence)

If your coconut oil is solid, add it to a small bowl and place it in hot water so it liquefies. Once melted, mix the coconut oil, sugar, honey, and essential oil in a bowl until well incorporated. Place mixture in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and it’s ready to use!

To apply, jump in the shower and gently massage the scrub onto skin for 5 to 10 minutes. Wash off with mild soap, pat dry skin, and top it off with a rich body lotion to leave your skin rejuvenated and glowing.

2. Sit Back & Take a Sip of The Bar’s Signature Cocktail

If the mountain doesn’t come to you, then you must go to the mountain– and by mountain, we mean the refreshing handcrafted cocktails served at The Bar at Shore Lodge. There’s just no better way to admire Payette Lake’s spectacular views than with a signature Raspberry Lemondrop in hand.

Combine fresh raspberries, simple syrup, lemon juice, Absolut Citron (another lemon-flavored vodka works, too), and the raspberry liquor, Chambord. The result is a citric-yet-sweet cocktail that’s perfect for impressing guests or adding oomph to a sunset happy-hour at home.

Learn how to make The Bar’s Raspberry Lemondrop in the video below:

3. Transport Yourself to Payette Lake with a Yoga Routine

Yoga can help you feel centered, relaxed, and optimistic. The summer months’ lakeside yoga at Shore Lodge is a treat for guests, immersing them in natural wonder as they meditate. Why not try your own yoga routine at home? A flow comprised of downward dog, upward dog, cat, and cow poses will stretch your back in all the right ways, leaving you ready to take on the day.

If possible, bring your yoga practice outdoors or close to a window so you feel the sunlight. Pro tip: bring Payette Lake to you by playing tranquil lake sounds during your practice.

4. Bring The Cove’s Saltwater Immersion Pools to You

Saltwater is known throughout the world for its healing properties. Whether your concerns are more in line with aching joints, irritated skin, or stimulating circulation, saltwater immersion pools are known to reinvigorate, especially at The Cove with its snowy drifts in the wintertime. If you have a bathtub at home, let the hot water run and mix in some Epsom salt, which will soothe muscle aches and exfoliate dry skin. Light up a pine-scented candle to come even closer to a real McCall experience!

5. Recreate the Turndown Cookie Tradition on Your Own Pillow

The turndown cookie tradition is Shore Lodge’s way of saying thank you. It’s our way of telling our guests we’re always there for them. Bring this beautiful ritual home to your family by baking cookies and wrapping them up in parchment paper with a ribbon, leaving them on pillows before bedtime. Here’s a great recipe to get you started:

White Chocolate Chip Raisin Oatmeal Turndown Cookies

You’ll need:

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• ½ cup cranberries

Preheat oven to 350º and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugars. Beat with stand or hand mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix in until fully combined. Add flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and stir until just combined. Fold in raisins, white chocolate chips, and cranberries to your liking. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place on sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden.

These 5 activities will bring a little piece of Shore Lodge into your home and get you through until your next vacation with us. Because nothing compares to breathing in the crisp McCall mountain air, whitewater rafting on Payette Lake, or playing classic board games with the whole family at The Tank (even when homemade oatmeal cookies are involved). We can’t wait to see you back to experience Shore Lodge firsthand.

If you tried any of the recipes above, tag us on social media @ShoreLodge and let us know what you think.