We kayaked a tried and true favorite today -- Gilmore Pond in Jaffrey, located in southwestern NH. I've written about Gilmore at least three times before, so I'll just add a few highlights from our paddle today. All I can say is that for us, the allure of this place never goes away.What you will find here
A Resident Loon (or two) -- Doug was within 30 feet of a loon today as it sat quietly near the bank. We weren't trying to encroach on this beautiful bird; it just appeared near us and didn't seem disturbed that we were so close. The black and white checkerboard pattern on the loon's back is a pretty cool gift from Mother Nature. A fellow paddler noted that he was amazed that the bird could stay submerged for so long. If you're curious about why, take a look at my earlier post about the Haunting Call of the Loon.
Peace and Quiet -- Gilmore isn't remote, but it's peaceful. Many houses on the pond are tucked behind the trees and there are no main roads nearby. It's a no-wake pond, so that helps, too. We paddled around mid-morning on this hot and sunny day, so it was no surprise to see other people swimming, fishing, picking blueberries, and paddling. But we never feel crowded here and everyone seems to treat this place with quiet respect.
You can get directions to Gilmore and read more about the crystal clear water and mountain views here. Enjoy!
2 comments:
Wow. That is really a great picture. I've never been to Gilmore Pond, but I recall canoeing nearby with my father - it might have been Dublin Lake. I remember the water being extremely clear, and you could easily see 15 or so feet to the bottom.
Thanks for writing, Mike. Gilmore sounds just like the place you remember canoeing as a kid. You can see down about 15 feet. We've never tried Dublin, but I'm sure we will someday.
Just a side note...a co-worker tried Gilmore and commented that it's small. I guess it is! If you're looking for a place with lots of nooks and islands to explore then Gilmore isn't it. On the otherhand, if you want to sit quietly in the company of loons, then, put it on your list.
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