[Island Girl]

Twenty-Five Years on the Island

This summer marks twenty-five years of calling the island my home. When I look back, I see more than just seasons passing — I see storms weathered, docks rebuilt, fires kept alive, and countless trips across the water (sometimes smooth, sometimes with an anchor line wrapped around the prop).

For those who remember, my webcam Snake Eyes was one of the earliest on the lake. It gave me joy to share sunrises, storms, and the quiet beauty of the water with anyone who cared to look. Snake Eyes is still there! Over the years, I’ve learned that island living is equal parts grit and grace — hauling wood, lugging groceries up from the dock, and always finding a way to make it work.

What has kept me here isn’t just the beauty of Winnipesaukee, though that never gets old. It’s the sense of belonging. This lake has a way of becoming part of you. It teaches patience, resilience, and appreciation for simple things — the crackle of a stove fire, the sound of loons at night, the first trip back after ice-out.

After twenty-five years, I’m still grateful to be Island Girl. This place, and this community, have shaped me more than I ever expected.

Here’s to the seasons ahead, and to all of us who know what it means to carry the lake in our hearts — and to laugh at the mishaps along the way.