My very best , fondest memory of the Lake is from the 50's , when I was just a little kid(as opposed to a big kid now
).
It was truly greater than Christmas morning as we came over the last rise in rte 11 and Alton Bay appeared in the distance. I would literally be bouncing all over the back seat of the car
. I could see the back side of Downings Boat Sales and then coming down the last hill McGraths would appear...off to the right you could now see the bandstand as we crossed over the bridge. Make a right at the Busy Corner store and in only a matter of minutes Sandy Point would appear. This would be the end of what was a 10 hour drive that seemed more like 3 days when your a kid.
Unfortunately , the worst memory followed a week later as we again went over the first rise in route 11 and the Lake disappeared for another year. I usually spent that distance from Sandy Point to the rise on my knees , on the rear seat , looking out the back window with a tear in my eye.
Then there was always the following Jan or Feb when my dad would make that "long distance" phone call (with operator assistance of course) to Sandy Point for reservations again. And so the cycle began again