As I was saying in the last blog it is never too late to start planning that summer vacation with your kids. We went to New Hampshire and were not sorry.
New Hampshire boasts some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Many of these lakes, luscious with trees and quite isolated, also boast five star resorts as well as canoeing, fishing and swimming. Almost every lake is also circled with wildlife preserves and gorgeous unspoiled walking trails.
There are lakes dotting the map of New Hampshire everywhere but the star attraction of the state is Lake Winnipesaukee that offers every imaginable water activity year round – including ice fishing in the winter. It is hard to miss this lake when it comes to perusing vacation destinations in New England simply because it is over 72 square miles in size.
This glittering blue crown jewel is surrounded by an equally lovely cluster of smaller lakes including Big Squam Lake, Little Squam Lake and White Oak Pond. White Oak Pond is famous for being the setting of the sentimental movie 'On Golden Pond.' Squam Lake is known for its 'old school' style summer camps for kids.
Also in the area is Purity Lake which is the home of Purity Spring Resort. At Purity Spring resort you can go kayaking and biking in the summer. It also offers foliage kayaking which allows you to skim in smaller creeks with overhanging trees and brush. In the winter the resort offers ice-skating and snow-tubing and you can go skiing at nearby King Pine Ski Area.
The entire region is unspoiled and so unspoiled and traditional in feel you will think that you are vacationing inside a Norman Rockwell painting. Perhaps this is why they call it the 'Oldest Summer Resort in America.'
The town that seems to 'rule' the lake is called Wolfeboro and it also borders Wentworth State park which features a lot of camping. It is very friendly to families with children. It is home to the Wolfeboro Inn which is often called the 'oldest summer resort in America' and boasts such quaint touches as handmade quilts on the beds, antique furnitures and a turn-of-the-century paddle boat at the dock.
Another big tourist attraction on Lake Winnipesaukee is the 'Castle in the Clouds' in Moultonborough. This is a stunning twentieth century Arts and Crafts style mansion perched high in the park. The 5,500 acre estate features trolley rides, trout feeding and mountain hikes to an astoundingly beautiful waterfall.
The area is not just known for its summer water sports. In the winter the area draws lots of cross country skiers and snowmobilers.