Fore! That's just what you might hear from the balcony when you make this lovely Mount Hood vacation rental condo your vacation headquarters during your visit to Welches, the historic epicenter of Oregon golfing. Overlooking the fairway, you'll find this lovely getaway is perfect for golfers, hikers, skiers, or expert relaxers alike.

In the morning, step out on the balcony with your coffee and fill your lungs with fresh mountain air as the mist hovers over the links and the early golfers make their way along the course. Inside, the living room awaits with a plush, new sectional sofa and, if the temperature has really dipped, a big wood fireplace with a stone facade. In the evening, after a day of fishing in the nearby Sandy or Salmon rivers, watch a cable show or slip a DVD into the player and unwind before dinner. Check tee-times on the laptop with the free WiFi. There's also a Wii system available for your use. (If you have your own games and hand-held controllers, bring them along!)

In the corner - compact yet fully equipped - is a smartly designed kitchen ready to help your cook whip up just about anything! Wood cabinets complement the beautiful black appliances. There's everything your cook will need: a stove, a big fridge, microwave, and plenty of pots and pans and utensils. Help with the prep work on the gorgeous granite counter, or sit on the stool and chat with the chef as he/she works. Help, too, with the clean up: it's easy with the dishwasher. When it's warm, fire up the gas grill out on the balcony and watch the golfers traverse the links as you enjoy your barbecue.

This condo has two bedrooms and room for 6. After a comfortable night's sleep on the queen bed in the master bedroom, you can step out on the balcony for an exhilarating breath of fresh air, and a great view of the tree-studded links. Click on the TV, and check the headlines on the morning cable shows. There's also a full, attached bath. There's room for four in the second bedroom, with two comfy queen beds, and its own private access to the balcony. There's a second full bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a washer and dryer too, so you can pack a little lighter. One dog is welcome, too, though a nightly fee per dog and a minimum fee per stay will apply.

Yes, golf is the elephant in the room here: not only is it right outside, you can also hit the links over at Eagle Creek Golf Course (about a half-hour away) and Springwater Golf Course, in Estacada (about 45 minutes). Non-golfers will find plenty to do, too. Nearby is the Wildwood National Forest (featuring its "Streamwatch" trail), and there are dozens of hiking trails of varying difficulty around Mount Hood. There's fishing, kayaking and rafting in the Sandy River. And, you can learn a little of the area's history with a trip to nearby historic Timblerline Lodge, or the Mount Hood Cultural Center. When the snow flies, Welches beckons skiers and boarders, as Skibowl is just 20 minutes away; Timberline Lodge is about half an hour's drive, and Mt. Hood Meadows just a little ways further.

Come stay in this lovely Welches vacation rental, where you'll not only be close to a rewarding game of golf, you'll be just minutes from all the activities (summer or winter) that come with 60 square miles of pristine wilderness in the Mount Hood National Forest.