Lakes Region Ramblings

We spent the first part of the day in Alton Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee. Number one on our list was cheering on the runners in the Big Lake Half Marathon. Go, Meredith! (She finished in 2:24:26 - a great time considering it was a hilly course and she didn't have much opportunity to train.) Since it's Mother's Day weekend, hope you don't mind a little parental bragging. Driving into the Lakes Region, which we hadn't done for some time, we realized just how big and busy this lake is.

The lake has 72 square miles of water surface and the distance around is 182 miles! For those keeping track, "ice out" was officially declared this year on April 23rd at 8 p.m. Just for the record, we have no plans to kayak on Winnipesaukee...while it's a nice area to visit, the lake is too big and too busy for our tastes. Two unrelated items of interest we learned while were in the Lakes Region:

Laconia Area Bike Path in the Works
There's a group of active volunteers working on building a recreational trail/bicycle path along Lakes Winnisquam, Opechee, and Winnipesaukee. Not sure how far along they are, but you can track their progress and learn more at http://www.wowtrail.org/.

Take a Wildlife Boat Tour
The Natural Science Center at Squam Lake (site of the filming of "On Golden Pond") offers 90-minute pontoon boat tours with experienced wildlife naturalists throughout the summer and early fall. There are several different tour options. One trip focuses on loons and eagles and another on the natural history of the lake. Sounds to me like a great way to spend a lazy summer day. For more information, check out Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.

Clydesdales: Up Close and Personal

A rainy weekend here in southern New Hampshire, so we haven't been out kayaking or biking. Instead, we visited the "world famous" Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales, located just down the road from us at the brewery in Merrimack. These animals are beautiful and amazing and their digs (shown below) are quite elaborate.

Every first Saturday of the month year round, you can "take your picture with a Clydesdale." Michael (the horse) is shown here with his handler, whose name I didn't get.
A few fun facts: these horses have been used to promote Budweiser beer since the 1930s. They can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds. To be part of the prestigious Anheuser-Busch team, they have to have four white feet and that trademark white patch on their face.

So what does this have to do with kayaking or biking? Absolutely nothing! From time to time, we'll fill you in on random attractions and events around the state. In the meantime, take a tour of our sidebar. We're adding new links and information about paddling, fishing, and other outdoor resources almost everyday.

Random Stuff

• Learning to Dance in the Rain (Oct. 2009)


• Random Thoughts on Fall in NH (Oct.2009)


• Saint-Gaudens: Mix of Art and Nature (Sept.2009)


• Five Cool Ways to Spend a Summer Day in New Hampshire(August 2009)


• Down by the Riverside -- NH Riverwalks (July 2009)


• The Maple Guys and Ice Out (April 2009)


• Happy Birthday to Us! (March 2009)


• Kayaking and Snow Shoeing on the Same Day? (Jan. 2009)


• Get Ready to Fire Up the Trebuchet (Oct. 2008)


• Can't Miss Resource for Outdoor Activities


• You can help protect our waterways (Aug. 2008)


• Clydesdales: Up Close and Personal (May 2008)


• Lakes Region Ramblings (May 2008)