| Lake Winnipesaukee nestles in the foothills of the | | | | most boaters and people on the shorelines waving in |
| White Mountains in New Hampshire. It?s the states | | | | recognition of this majestic large ship. |
| largest body of water and one of the deepest. | | | | THE LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE SCENIC TRAIN RIDE |
| Centered in the popular vacation area known as the | | | | You don?t have to venture far from the cruise ship to |
| Lakes Region it provides 4-season pleasure for millions | | | | take the scenic train ride. They share the same ticket |
| every year. | | | | office and almost the same dock - except of course |
| Before Europeans visited the native people had been | | | | it?s a train platform. Nonetheless the Lake |
| enjoying the lake for 10,000 years. They gave Lake | | | | Winnipesaukee scenic train runs from Meredith to |
| Winnipesaukee the Indian name meaning "Smile of the | | | | Weirs Beach to Lakeport and back. You can take a 1 |
| Great Spirit." Spend a week on the lake and you?ll | | | | hour or 2 hour ride. You?ll get spectacular views of the |
| understand what they mean. The area is a magnificent | | | | lake and shoreline and Belknap Mountain. |
| playground for both water and hiking activities. | | | | At times the train hugs the shoreline of the lake and |
| These days people still fish and canoe on the lake but | | | | seems like it?s in the backyard of homes built on the |
| it?s shared with modern day jet skis and motorboats. | | | | lake. But it all adds to the charm and fun of the ride. |
| But essentially Lake Winnipesaukee is an area to take | | | | This is a slow train as it travels the section down to |
| your time exploring, and enjoy the lazy feeling of | | | | Paugus Bay and back to Weirs Beach. |
| messing around on water. | | | | THE CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS |
| The lake is spring fed and clean, and many homes on | | | | The Castle in the Clouds is a wonderful home built on |
| the lake take their water supply directly without any | | | | a mountaintop in 1913 by industrialist Thomas Plant. You |
| filtering. The towns around the lake are mindful of | | | | can tour the castle and grounds where you?ll find |
| conservation and it makes for a safe and pristine lake | | | | waterfalls and miles of trails to explore. During the fall |
| for everybody. | | | | foliage season it offers dramatic views of the lake and |
| I?ve been visiting Lake Winnipesaukee for the last | | | | surrounding area. |
| twenty years and I have these suggestions for | | | | The Castle is near Moultonboro on the eastern side of |
| enjoying your visit to the Lake. | | | | the lake and you can get there by following Route 171 |
| M/S MOUNT WASHINGTON CRUISE | | | | in Ossipee. This side of the lake is the "quieter" region, |
| For a 132-years a cruise boat has been traveling up | | | | as there are less towns and villages. In particular worth |
| and down the 72 square miles of the lake. The current | | | | visiting is Wolfeboro for a fine evening dinner at one of |
| boat - M/S MOUNT WASHINGTON - has been | | | | the homely country inns. |
| operating since 1946. Due to the demand it was | | | | BELKNAP MOUNTAIN HIKE |
| extended in 1982 by cutting the boat in half and adding | | | | For those willing to be a little more adventurous Lake |
| a middle section. | | | | Winnipesaukee offers some great hiking tails. Many |
| The three decks of the M/S Mount Washington | | | | are moderate to difficult, but the Belknap Mountain hike |
| provide stunning vistas of the mountain ranges | | | | in Gilford is easy and can be done by most people |
| overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. These mountains | | | | including small kids. |
| include the Belknap, Ossipee, and Sandwich ranges - | | | | This is an enjoyable walk and you should allow 2 and |
| the foothills of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. | | | | ? hours round trip to appreciate the walk to its fullest. |
| There?s no better way of getting oriented on the | | | | At the summit you?ll be rewarded with a magnificent |
| Lake. You can board the boat at Weirs Beach and | | | | view of Lake Winnipesaukee, and if conditions are right |
| take the 2 and ? hour cruise down to Alton Bay or up | | | | you can sometimes spot Mount Washington in the |
| to the picturesque town of Meredith depending on the | | | | distance. |
| day. | | | | Take Route 11A to Gilford and drive south through the |
| When you make the trip be prepared to do a lot of | | | | village. Stay on this road as it climbs Belknap Mountain |
| waving. The M/S Mount Washington is a popular and | | | | road. Eventually you?ll see signs and a parking area on |
| the most distinctive boat on the lake, and you?ll find | | | | the left. |