[Kona Bay Girl]

Even since the 90s, the lake has changed dramatically. I myself went from visiting my great aunt's in Meredith for one week in the summer to renting in Moultonborough and then having my family buy a house in that general area. I won't lie, it's a house, not a camp. However, we're not on the waterfront so I guess that's all right. The house was originally going to be someone's retirement home, but if my family had it our way, the place would have the wooden walls and the linoleum floors. The feeling is certainly different, but once I get out to the beach (very small lakeside association), I still feel some of the old lake.

The traffic in Meredith (boat-wise) has gotten horrendous. I don't believe I've seen an offhsore until a few years ago, and have just heard of the Fountain line this year. It's not just the offshores, though. Our 19-footer can cut through the wakes like nothing. It's also the massive cuddys and cabin cruisers who are large both ways and while they're not fast, when that hull cuts through the water it bounces, making some of the most unmanagable crosswakes of the lake. It's the speedboats not giving the right-of-way, the PWCs and jetboats not slowing down a tad, the canoe with the swimmers in no lifejackets beside it trying to cross a busy channel. I can't say anything for the sailboats. It's the overpopulation during the summer that creates the traffic.

Has anyone noticed that the bigger the house is on the lake, the less it gets used?

Still, Winnipesaukee is still a gem. When all the day-trippers are driving up and the one-time-tourists are still asleep, head out into what should be the busiest part of the lake and just appreciate the silence.

Appreciation can go a long way.

Oh, and from personal experience, the water WILL keep us busy for quite a long time, just give us a frisbee, ball, and maybe a paddleboat.