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