How do you use the Lake?

[jasn]

(Long intro, sorry)

I've been visiting and enjoying Winni for over 15 years, the past five with my own boat that I valet store out of Meredith. Yesterday, however, I was on the Long Island Ferry from Orient Point to New London. It was amazing, because it was the glassiest calm I have ever experienced out there, especially at 5 p.m.. So, while I was staring out the window I daydreamed about ice-out and getting back on the Lake.

I realized out there, that for all the running around I do on Winni, I've never just gone out to the Broads, shut down and enjoyed the quiet and feeling of isolation. Usually we're scooting from one harbor to the next, or splashing around in some cozy inlet (I'm not telling you which are my favorites), or even tugging someone around on a tube. It's all fun, but I thought that maybe I'm still not getting my money's worth.

I know many of you can (and perhaps will) point out that you're a waterfront owner, and that's an angle I can only enjoy when we come up for our rental. But as far as the actual Lake itself...how do you use it? Do you do all the running around too and also take the time to stop and smell the roses?

I thought this might be a nice way for all of us to start getting ready for Summer 2004.

[Zee]

The best way to enjoy the lake is on weekdays. Many times in the summer I manage 3 or 4 day weekends. Monday mornings in the broads is usually very calm. I've even seen it like glass! Even on weekends, a twilight slow cruise is the most relaxing. Another way to enjoy the lake is to tie up to a dock at night in an area with no light pollution, lay back and look up at the stars. You will be amazed what you will see. Even a cheap pair of binocs with enhance everything. Ahhhh, can't wait.

[Island Al]

Some of the best times are slow cruses watching the sun set. Almost always during the week, as the weekends can be "rough" with wakes from boats far away. Make everyone bring a sweater as the temp drops so quick as the sun disappears.

[RUSTY BEAR]

We often go out into the broads at sunset and just drift and watch the sunset over the hills.

[Upthesaukee]

We keep our 19 ft bowrider at West Alton Marina, and often times we will pack up supper, slip out of the marina and cruise slowly out to the broads between Rattlesnake and Welch's, cut the motor, open up the picnic basket, and watch the world go by. First mate will bring her knitting and life is very peaceful, no phones/TV. We may stay out long enough to see the sun go down (gotta love the sunsets up here) and then ease our way back to the marina. Other times, after eating, we make a leisurely run down to Alton Bay or over to Wolfeboro, get an ice cream, go back to the boat and watch the world go by. If it's hot, we may stop at the sand bar for a dip, or just take a dip whereever we cut the engine.

Life can be really nice as full time residents up here, and I hope you and your family enjoy your time on the lake when ever you can.

[madrasahs]

"I've never just gone out to the Broads, shut down, and enjoyed the quiet and feeling of isolation. Usually we're scooting from one harbor to the next..."

Try a sailboat in the Broads. Anyone who has shut off their auxiliary power on a sunny Broads sailing day will tell you there's only one bad thing about it...and that's the starting up of the engine at the end of the sail.

If you want the real quiet and feeling of isolation, try sailing without auxiliary power -- as I do.

There's always "just enough" wind to return home, and sometimes the return home can be much faster (and exciting) than ever imagined.

There are the occasional powerboats "just floating" out there, a few trollers off Rattlesnake, and the peculiar phenomenon of power-boater "magnetism", as though my sail had large letters on it stating "Free Beer".

Though my boat is far smaller than those demanded by most Forum contributors, I was just reading about an ocean race of my peers that had a sudden storm of 48 Knots (over 50 MPH) hit the fleet. A few rudders broke, and some sails were ripped, but everybody made it home OK. So "The Broads @ 25 MPH waves" comment gave me a chuckle.

One racing skipper reported that he had bloodied his head, and he and his son had been driven over. He commented that he wasn't worried about sharks, as the boat, partially submerged, was being blown sideways too fast for a shark to keep up!.

On the Great Lakes I've read of sailboats who achieved their destinations hours earlier than the magpowerboats that were filming them!

Sailboats are tough, but require more skills than powerboats.

You can hear bald eagles and ospreys call when they're around. And when they're not, you listen to the shoosh...shoosh...shoosh...shoosh...shoosh of Lake Winnipesaukee's waters parting before your bow.

[Orion]

Excellent topic Jasn!

We try to enjoy all aspects of The Lake. We generally try to seek out quieter areas and drop anchor for lunch or a swim. It is a super lake for just snorkeling along the shoreline...you never know what you'll find hidden among the rocks because of the centuries of history that these shores have seen.

It's also great just to go out just prior to sunset and slowly cruise around the islands with a boatload of friends and family, watching the sky change and golden reflections on The Lake.

There's something for everyone.

[Cal.]

My wife and I enjoy hitting the public docks and exploring the town. Also watching other people at the docks. We usually go out every night for dinner , somewhere , anywhere ,just to be on the water. We also enjoy anchoring and swimming or simply floating in various places. The last week I was there , I only put 20 miles on my tow vehicle , and over 200 on the boat.
I think most of us would agree...the weekdays (and nights) are THEEEE best.

[Barney Bear]

We often take guests on sightseeing cruises from East Bear Island past Five Mile Island, under the Long Island bridge, through the Hole-in-the-wall, across the broads past Steamboat Island and back to Bear Island. We enjoy sunset cruises as well as moonlight trips. RUSTY BEAR takes family and guests on his Three Bridge circuit from East Bear Island (Black Cat Island bridge, Long Island bridge, and Governor's Island bridge). Early morning (before 6:00 AM) runs to the mainland are often a real treat.

[John]

To see the sunsets that are on the lake are really super. God's artestry at its best. To watch the greens deepen on the mountains early in the season and then to watch them change in color in the fall.

To watch the white caps on the lake and some boater taking it all. Or to be out their yourself and feel the power of it all.

Yes, their is something on that lake that is for each of us, it is something that we need to cherish, and take care of. It is not the dump of the state, so please police the lake as you go and not add to its clutter. Their are branches and pieces of dock in the spring that I know nobody put their, it was the winter that caused it. But the winter does not put the trash on the ice that has been reported, and if you put a bob house on the lake make sure you take it off in time.

[Hazelnut]

When my parents had a house in Center Cove (Kona Area) on the mainland we did a ton of sunset cruises, Weirs trips, Anchoring in coves, etc. Since my wife and I purchased our place on Cow Island we tend to just sit and relax on our lakeside Patio. We have a perfect front row seat to the Barbers Pole area and we just watch the Chaos unfold on the weekends and chuckle. It is such good free entertainment. Although sometimes it is scary to watch the carelessness. We primarily use the boat/lake as transportation. It is an adjustment when your boat ceases to be "just for pleasure" and becomes more of a necessary means of transportation. Not that I am complaining. I have had the best experiences out on the lake on those "questionable" days with little to no boat traffic due to rain/clouds/winds etc. On those days you feel like the only person on the lake. It is beautiful.

[KPW]

I enjoy slow rides almost at an idle. Sunsets cruises are the best. Going out to Middle Ground Shoals and just shutting the motor off and soaking up the sun works for me once in a while. Like Hazlenut - I like sitting on my sundeck and just enjoying the views. I am not one to travel much on the lake, unless riding with a neighbor. One of my favorite things is a late night shoreline canoe ride during a full moon. We learned at a young age to enjoy the island and the water. (The only boat we had was a 14" aluminum boat). I travel to the Weirs about once a year, on a calm weekday. I usually get to enjoy 1 weekend day and 3 weekdays each week. That is definitely the best time to be there.

[Funspot Fan]

There is nothing like go out to the Broads and turn off the boat and taking out my kit with light winds and just looking up at it flying for hours,or reading a good book.That what I look forward to doing the week days on the lake .

[Far Echo Fisherman]

This summer (04) will be my 45th at the lake, I find more beauty at the lake than anywhere else in the world (I've been all around it). As I get older, it seems that I appreciate Winni more every year. The most beautiful sight on the lake is watching the sun RISE into the eastern sky on clear mornings as I set up my trolling lines on the lake, simply breathtaking!! Can't wait forice-out.

[Lacey]

We have used paddle boats, row boats, motor boats, sail boats, jet ski's, we have floated on rafts, Gone tubing, gone water skiing, kneeboarding, fished off the docks, done all the tour boats including "The Queen of Winnipesaukee" but there is nothing like sitting on the deck over looking the sunrise with a cup of coffee and then later watching the sun set with a glass of wine while listening to the sounds of the loons. Oh by the way I think they best part of it all, is doing it with friends :o)

[Ms. Loony Singer]

I’m fortunate to have been able to spend every summer (57 of them) of my life at Winnipesaukee, and I’ll try to enumerate a few of the ways I’ve enjoyed “the Lake” like: kayaking along the shore first thing in the morning; waking up to a chorus of loons calling; skinny-dipping on a hot, muggy summer night; helping my young son catch his first sunfish off the end of the dock; canoeing by a pair of loons with a baby chick; waterskiing behind my dad’s old boat; taking my own kids waterskiing/wakeboarding/tubing with our new boat; “flying a hull” on the old Hobie 16; righting the Hobie 16 after misjudging the wind; Saturday morning sailboat races in Moultonboro Bay with Hobie Fleet 100; lying in the hammock listening to the water lapping on the shore, wading along the shore picking blueberries; floating in a tube watching fluffy clouds drift by; a boat ride to Wolfeboro for shopping and an ice cream cone; cruising up to Lees Mills to watch the parade of steamboats; 4th of July fireworks in Center Harbor or Wolfeboro; sitting on the dock wrapped in a quilt watching for shooting stars on an moonless August night; a leisurely kayak ride to watch the sun set. I could go on and on.

[Orion]

Reading the messages in this thread IS the best way to mentally be at the lake. Some great thoughts expressed. I have to add that one other great joy I have is to be the first to wake up at the island camp and slip out quietly with fising gear and watch the sun rise while enjoying the total serenity of the lake at daybreak (..and oh yeah, the smallmouth fishing is great at that time). It's truly a "religious" experience and gives one time to contemplate how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy such a gift.

[madrasahs]

Dittoes to all you've posted -- just add a few years.

There was a time that I never saw the sunrise. (Usually too tuckered out from the previous day).
Now, I greet every sunrise with coffee, and every sunset with wine.

I've never approached (or been approached) by loons-with-chick. (Loons are more tolerant of sailboats and electric-motor-powered kayaks, but might abandon a nest or nestling if stressed -- I'm told). I've never seen a loon "nest".

You can avoid tipping your Hobie (or any catamaran) by limiting the occupants to two persons, and spilling air from the jib when overpowered by the wind. If you're still sailing cats, always locate yourselves well aft in strong winds.

"...watching fluffy clouds drift by..."

My in-laws, who are from California, are mesmerized by clouds -- just -- clouds. Guess they're rare in California. Some Winnipesaukee afternoons are spent seeing goofy objects formed by the clouds: "Look...three racing dachshunds... Oh, wait...two dachshunds being chased by a rabbit..."

"...skinny-dipping on a hot, muggy summer night..."

That was you?

[Brett]

for me, the best time on the lake is pre-dawn. watcing the sunrise, instead of sunset is the most calming, no where else in the world feeling. the rush hour is nowhere to be found, and the promise of a new day is still mysterious...what will my day be like today?...Funspot?...floating around on a raft, catchin' some rays, gettin some fishin' in at dusk, or just taking a nap while the waves crash on the shore....ahh, I can't wait.

[Mee'n'Mac]

"But as far as the actual Lake itself...how do you use it? Do you do all the running around too and also take the time to stop and smell the roses? "

I'd have to say that since we've upgraded to a waterfront cabin, we've gotten in the habit of using the lake more like commuter path. We boat back and forth from Alton Bay to Meredith pretty much every weekend, with side trips to town docks in Alton, Meredith and Wolfeboro. When we have friends up for a visit we'll do shoreline cruises, usually up from Alton, past The Mansion, past the Varney's and either stopping in to Wolfeboro for food and drinks or continuing around Winter Harbor. Return trip is past the tip of Rattlesnake, down to Sleepers for a view of the Castle and then a run back down the Bay. Our final cruise last Oct was a shorter version of RUSTY BEARs "3 bridge cruise" though we skipped the BCI bridge and the Hole-in-the-Wall. 24' Mee'n'Mac through H-I-T-W, hmmmm. I'll have to review the foliage pics from that trip to see if any are worthy of posting. Perhaps this year we'll get back** to some anchored cookouts, though we dislike the crowds the "usual places" have. It's getting harder to find a place to oneself (boat-wise) and also not in someone else's front yard.

** Then again, now we'll almost always drag the mobile firepit down to the shoreline and enjoy drinks (something I can't do when "captain") and dinner as the sun sets over the western Alton ridgeline. The sky is often clear and as you lean back in the adirondack chairs, women-folk snuggled under their fleece blankets, you can spot satellites and meteors as the night darkens. Life is good even if the cookout is on the shoreline and not off the transom.

[mets3006]

I have been going there every year since i was 7. I am now 23 so its been great. I love just to look at the boats, do the 1 hr cruise and enjoy the area. Its so much better than New York. I cant wait until July 2004!!

[Bullitt]

I love waking up in the early morning to hear the loons calling and look out at the lake to see not a ripple in the water. I then run out and open up the pipes on my 38 Top Gun and fly around the lake at 115 MPH!!!!!!

Just a Joke!!!!