| Lake Winnipesaukee nestles in the foothills of the | | | | large ship. |
| White Mountains in New Hampshire. It's the states | | | | THE LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE SCENIC TRAIN RIDE |
| largest body of water and one of the deepest. | | | | You don't have to venture far from the cruise |
| Centered in the popular vacation area known as | | | | ship to take the scenic train ride. They share the |
| the Lakes Region it provides 4-season pleasure | | | | same ticket office and almost the same dock - |
| for millions every year. | | | | except of course it's a train platform. Nonetheless |
| Before Europeans visited the native people had | | | | the Lake Winnipesaukee scenic train runs from |
| been enjoying the lake for 10,000 years. They | | | | Meredith to Weirs Beach to Lakeport and back. |
| gave Lake Winnipesaukee the Indian name | | | | You can take a 1 hour or 2 hour ride. You'll get |
| meaning "Smile of the Great Spirit." Spend a week | | | | spectacular views of the lake and shoreline and |
| on the lake and you'll understand what they mean. | | | | Belknap Mountain. |
| The area is a magnificent playground for both | | | | At times the train hugs the shoreline of the lake |
| water and hiking activities. | | | | and seems like it's in the backyard of homes built |
| These days people still fish and canoe on the lake | | | | on the lake. But it all adds to the charm and fun |
| but it's shared with modern day jet skis and | | | | of the ride. This is a slow train as it travels the |
| motorboats. But essentially Lake Winnipesaukee is | | | | section down to Paugus Bay and back to Weirs |
| an area to take your time exploring, and enjoy | | | | Beach. |
| the lazy feeling of messing around on water. | | | | THE CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS |
| The lake is spring fed and clean, and many homes | | | | The Castle in the Clouds is a wonderful home built |
| on the lake take their water supply directly | | | | on a mountaintop in 1913 by industrialist Thomas |
| without any filtering. The towns around the lake | | | | Plant. You can tour the castle and grounds where |
| are mindful of conservation and it makes for a | | | | you'll find waterfalls and miles of trails to explore. |
| safe and pristine lake for everybody. | | | | During the fall foliage season it offers dramatic |
| I've been visiting Lake Winnipesaukee for the last | | | | views of the lake and surrounding area. |
| twenty years and I have these suggestions for | | | | The Castle is near Moultonboro on the eastern |
| enjoying your visit to the Lake. | | | | side of the lake and you can get there by |
| M/S MOUNT WASHINGTON CRUISE | | | | following Route 171 in Ossipee. This side of the |
| For a 132-years a cruise boat has been traveling | | | | lake is the "quieter" region, as there are less |
| up and down the 72 square miles of the lake. The | | | | towns and villages. In particular worth visiting is |
| current boat - M/S MOUNT WASHINGTON - has | | | | Wolfeboro for a fine evening dinner at one of the |
| been operating since 1946. Due to the demand it | | | | homely country inns. |
| was extended in 1982 by cutting the boat in half | | | | BELKNAP MOUNTAIN HIKE |
| and adding a middle section. | | | | For those willing to be a little more adventurous |
| The three decks of the M/S Mount Washington | | | | Lake Winnipesaukee offers some great hiking tails. |
| provide stunning vistas of the mountain ranges | | | | Many are moderate to difficult, but the Belknap |
| overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. These mountains | | | | Mountain hike in Gilford is easy and can be done |
| include the Belknap, Ossipee, and Sandwich ranges | | | | by most people including small kids. |
| - the foothills of the White Mountains of New | | | | This is an enjoyable walk and you should allow 2 |
| Hampshire. | | | | and ½ hours round trip to appreciate the |
| There's no better way of getting oriented on the | | | | walk to its fullest. At the summit you'll be |
| Lake. You can board the boat at Weirs Beach and | | | | rewarded with a magnificent view of Lake |
| take the 2 and ½ hour cruise down to Alton | | | | Winnipesaukee, and if conditions are right you can |
| Bay or up to the picturesque town of Meredith | | | | sometimes spot Mount Washington in the |
| depending on the day. | | | | distance. |
| When you make the trip be prepared to do a lot | | | | Take Route 11A to Gilford and drive south |
| of waving. The M/S Mount Washington is a | | | | through the village. Stay on this road as it climbs |
| popular and the most distinctive boat on the lake, | | | | Belknap Mountain road. Eventually you'll see signs |
| and you'll find most boaters and people on the | | | | and a parking area on the left. |
| shorelines waving in recognition of this majestic | | | | |