Great Day on the Lake

XCR-700 · 07-22-2013, 11:26 AM

Had an outstanding day yesterday. Left West Alton Marina and hit Weirs and Meredith.

No trouble getting on the doc at Weirs, but no chance of it in Meredith. But thats ok, we were not actually trying, just wanted to check out the new hotel.

Went back to West Alton sandbar and had a GREAT time. Water temp was perfect. It was busy there but not rowdy or out of control. It got real quite later, just after the bass boats started heading back.

I was surprised by all the traffic on the west end of the lake, most I have seen in a while. Good to see people out and about, and most were reasonable well behaved.

Donzi Minx · 07-22-2013, 12:08 PM

Absolutely a great day, lots of traffic. My sons and I anchored and found the water temperature not refreshing, too warm. Always worth the trip from Melrose, MA rain or shine. Missing my uncle's spot in West Alton down by the Owl's Nest, but happy to make the jaunt, the lake has never let me down!

Dave R · 07-22-2013, 01:57 PM

I had a great day as well. It was strange running into the wind heading back to Alton at the end of the day.

Shreddy · 07-22-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Had an outstanding day yesterday. Left West Alton Marina and hit Weirs and Meredith.

No trouble getting on the doc at Weirs, but no chance of it in Meredith. But thats ok, we were not actually trying, just wanted to check out the new hotel.

Went back to West Alton sandbar and had a GREAT time. Water temp was perfect. It was busy there but not rowdy or out of control. It got real quite later, just after the bass boats started heading back.

I was surprised by all the traffic on the west end of the lake, most I have seen in a while. Good to see people out and about, and most were reasonable well behaved.

Want to talk about luck? I pulled into Meredith around 1pm yesterday while it was a zoo. We were planning on going to Town Docks for lunch. Needless to say, right as I pulled up a pontoon boat was leaving the dock from right in front of Town Docks. I didn't wait a minute and didn't cut anybody off as everyone was waiting over in front of all the public docking.

XCR-700 · 07-22-2013, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

Absolutely a great day, lots of traffic. My sons and I anchored and found the water temperature not refreshing, too warm. Always worth the trip from Melrose, MA rain or shine. Missing my uncle's spot in West Alton down by the Owl's Nest, but happy to make the jaunt, the lake has never let me down!

Owls Nest, know it well,,,

Where do you launch from?

We tow up from Andover, and yes always worth the trip!

XCR-700 · 07-22-2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

I had a great day as well. It was strange running into the wind heading back to Alton at the end of the day.

Quite a bit of clouds in the afternoon but not a drop of rain.

In my youth we spent every summer in Alton (Echo Point) the old donut shop was the best. Many meals at the old "Dots" and Sandy Point. Spent way too many hours in the various game rooms on the pin ball machines,,,

But my favorite spot was Downings, loved the smell of the old "white gas and pre-mix" filling the old orange portable gas tanks meant fun was ahead!!! (we always had Glastrons with Evinrude outboards)

Alton is still my favorite part of the lake.

george

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-23-2013, 05:56 AM

Thanks for sharing your nice day!!!

R-Guy and I had a excellent island visit with Dave R and his wife. They invited me along for a snorkel of The Belknap. Having never done that, I loved it!!! (Paul was invited too, but thought he should work on is day off!

) After that we floated for a while, enjoying the incredible scenery. Then it was off to Green's Basin. What a fun afternoon! Dave's is an excellent captain and his boat, Mischief Managed is just wonderful.

It was super to see so many out enjoying our Great Lake and better yet, so many waving hello to each other... Nice! Thanks Dave and Ann! That was a real treat for me.

Dave R · 07-23-2013, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Thanks for sharing your nice day!!!

We had a great time with you and Paul too too, such an awesome lake house you have. Thanks again for the hospitality.

Dave R · 07-23-2013, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Quite a bit of clouds in the afternoon but not a drop of rain.

In my youth we spent every summer in Alton (Echo Point) the old donut shop was the best. Many meals at the old "Dots" and Sandy Point. Spent way too many hours in the various game rooms on the pin ball machines,,,

But my favorite spot was Downings, loved the smell of the old "white gas and pre-mix" filling the old orange portable gas tanks meant fun was ahead!!! (we always had Glastrons with Evinrude outboards)

Alton is still my favorite part of the lake.

george

Spent my Summers as a kid in Robert's Cover Basin. I recall many meals at Dot's and Ruby's in New Durham, and Bailey's in Wolfeboro. Roller skating in Alton was also really fun. Hard to believe it's been nearly 40 years...

Donzi Minx · 07-23-2013, 12:49 PM

Launch at Silver Sands. I found Fay's a little cumbersome parking trailer off truck. Loved launching at Ames Farm until that came to a hault.

XCR-700 · 07-23-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Thanks for sharing your nice day!!!

R-Guy and I had a excellent island visit with Dave R and his wife. They invited me along for a snorkel of The Belknap. Having never done that, I loved it!!! (Paul was invited too, but thought he should work on is day off!

) After that we floated for a while, enjoying the incredible scenery. Then it was off to Green's Basin. What a fun afternoon! Dave's is an excellent captain and his boat, Mischief Managed is just wonderful.

It was super to see so many out enjoying our Great Lake and better yet, so many waving hello to each other... Nice! Thanks Dave and Ann! That was a real treat for me.

Sounds like a fantastic trip, and the water temp was great for snorkeling. I'll have to keep my eye open for Mischief Managed

I too enjoyed seeing people offering a wave in passing, we always did that when I was a kid and I still do as much as possible.

XCR-700 · 07-23-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

Spent my Summers as a kid in Robert's Cover Basin. I recall many meals at Dot's and Ruby's in New Durham, and Bailey's in Wolfeboro. Roller skating in Alton was also really fun. Hard to believe it's been nearly 40 years...

Oh almost forgot about Baileys,,, they had GREAT ice cream, outstanding hot fudge if my memory serves,,,

I haven't driven to Wolfeboro in a few years and I seem to recall Baileys closing or selling out. What is its status these days?

Thanks - george

Dave R · 07-23-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Oh almost forgot about Baileys,,, they had GREAT ice cream, outstanding hot fudge if my memory serves,,,

I haven't driven to Wolfeboro in a few years and I seem to recall Baileys closing or selling out. What is its status these days?

Thanks - george

The only Bailey's I know of in Wolfeboro is Bailey's Bubble ice cream. I assume it's the same family. AFAIK, the two old Bailey's restaurant buildings are no longer associated with Bailey's.

XCR-700 · 07-23-2013, 08:10 PM

Is the old Bailey's restaurant at the top of the hill open under another name or just closed?

Not that it was all that old, but in the '80s we used to go to B-Mae's in Gilford. Food was always good when I was there, but its closed for many years now and just a run-down empty building today,,,

Seems strange to me.

Dave R · 07-23-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Is the old Bailey's restaurant at the top of the hill open under another name or just closed?

Not that it was all that old, but in the '80s we used to go to B-Mae's in Gilford. Food was always good when I was there, but its closed for many years now and just a run-down empty building today,,,

Seems strange to me.

Open under a different name.

NHBUOY · 07-23-2013, 08:41 PM

Hey DR & XCR, I remember the "Pin Ups" all over the walls in the Rigging Garage at Downings Marine.

Grew up there. Good times. LOTs of good storys.

tis · 07-24-2013, 06:36 AM

Dockside in Wolfeboro used to be Bailey's but they lost the town lease quite a few years ago and it has been run by at least three other people since. It is now run by the owner's of Garwoods. The old Bailey's on South Main Street just below the hospital, is now called the front porch. Same building, same feel, not much change.

gillygirl · 07-24-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Not that it was all that old, but in the '80s we used to go to B-Mae's in Gilford. Food was always good when I was there, but its closed for many years now and just a run-down empty building today,,,

Didn't B Mae's become the Fireside Inn and Suites?

upthesaukee · 07-24-2013, 07:25 AM

Yes to the Hotel portion.

No to the Restaurant. It was located in the "house" that is right at the corner. I believe it tried to survive as a restaurant under a different name, and then as an antique center / craft store.

Just Sold · 07-24-2013, 07:38 AM

Yup, Downing's repair shop (the newer building next to the covered docks had Playboy centerfolds all over the back wall. A very high wall at that. My dad told me not to go in there. Like I did what I was told.

The old Bea Mae's in Gilford is having some remodeling work on the rear half of the building done and the parking lot has some docks and related items in it. Diversified Marine has a sign up in the parking lot saying it will be their new store.

XCR-700 · 07-24-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

Launch at Silver Sands. I found Fay's a little cumbersome parking trailer off truck. Loved launching at Ames Farm until that came to a hault.

Silver Sands will let you launch for day trips? Do they have parking for truck and trailer???

XCR-700 · 07-24-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillygirl

Didn't B Mae's become the Fireside Inn and Suites?

Only the hotel, not the restaurant.

Thats ok, Sawyers is still there and still has the best frappes in the area!

XCR-700 · 07-24-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHBUOY

Hey DR & XCR, I remember the "Pin Ups" all over the walls in the Rigging Garage at Downings Marine.

Grew up there. Good times. LOTs of good storys.

Guess I missed that,,,

I seem to recall some pinball machines in there for a while,,, I think,,,

We got gas there all the time and used Parkers for any work on the boat.

Not 100% sure, but think we used to buy minnows and night crawlers at a little shop next to the old hotel diagonally across from the general store on the corner,,, Memory is fading with old age,,,

george

Dave R · 07-24-2013, 07:49 PM

I missed the pinups at Downing's, sad to say. Some of my favorite childhood memories were exploring the boat storage barns in Robert's Cove. There was (is?) some really cool old stuff stored there, especially in the attic of one of them. I'm sure we were not supposed to be up there though. I also fondly recall the ancient coke machine in the marina. The coin mechanism failed so one just had to put a quarter in the tin can screwed to the front of the machine to buy a 10 oz bottle of ice cold Coke. There was no security at all, but no one I know of ever stole a coke or a quarter.

gillygirl · 07-24-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Only the hotel, not the restaurant.

Thats ok, Sawyers is still there and still has the best frappes in the area!

I guess I'm only remembering the house as a theater. Don't remember a restaurant at all. Losing the mind.

07-22-2013, 11:26 AM	#1
XCR-700 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 757 Thanked 538 Times in 313 Posts	Great Day on the Lake Had an outstanding day yesterday. Left West Alton Marina and hit Weirs and Meredith. No trouble getting on the doc at Weirs, but no chance of it in Meredith. But thats ok, we were not actually trying, just wanted to check out the new hotel. Went back to West Alton sandbar and had a GREAT time. Water temp was perfect. It was busy there but not rowdy or out of control. It got real quite later, just after the bass boats started heading back. I was surprised by all the traffic on the west end of the lake, most I have seen in a while. Good to see people out and about, and most were reasonable well behaved.

07-22-2013, 12:08 PM	#2
Donzi Minx Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melrose, Mass. Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 183 Times in 52 Posts	Sunday 7/21 Absolutely a great day, lots of traffic. My sons and I anchored and found the water temperature not refreshing, too warm. Always worth the trip from Melrose, MA rain or shine. Missing my uncle's spot in West Alton down by the Owl's Nest, but happy to make the jaunt, the lake has never let me down!

07-23-2013, 05:56 AM	#7
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Sunday was great! Thanks for sharing your nice day!!! R-Guy and I had a excellent island visit with Dave R and his wife. They invited me along for a snorkel of The Belknap. Having never done that, I loved it!!! (Paul was invited too, but thought he should work on is day off! ) After that we floated for a while, enjoying the incredible scenery. Then it was off to Green's Basin. What a fun afternoon! Dave's is an excellent captain and his boat, Mischief Managed is just wonderful. It was super to see so many out enjoying our Great Lake and better yet, so many waving hello to each other... Nice! Thanks Dave and Ann! That was a real treat for me.

07-23-2013, 12:49 PM	#10
Donzi Minx Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melrose, Mass. Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 183 Times in 52 Posts	Sunday 7/21 Launch at Silver Sands. I found Fay's a little cumbersome parking trailer off truck. Loved launching at Ames Farm until that came to a hault.

07-24-2013, 07:25 AM	#19
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,595 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,448 Thanked 1,978 Times in 1,079 Posts	Yes and no.. Yes to the Hotel portion. No to the Restaurant. It was located in the "house" that is right at the corner. I believe it tried to survive as a restaurant under a different name, and then as an antique center / craft store. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

The Following User Says Thank You to XCR-700 For This Useful Post:
trfour (07-22-2013)

07-22-2013, 01:57 PM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,983 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	I had a great day as well. It was strange running into the wind heading back to Alton at the end of the day.

07-23-2013, 08:10 PM	#14
XCR-700 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 757 Thanked 538 Times in 313 Posts	Is the old Bailey's restaurant at the top of the hill open under another name or just closed? Not that it was all that old, but in the '80s we used to go to B-Mae's in Gilford. Food was always good when I was there, but its closed for many years now and just a run-down empty building today,,, Seems strange to me.

07-23-2013, 08:41 PM	#16
NHBUOY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Loon Mtn. winters...Meredith Neck summers Posts: 398 Thanks: 288 Thanked 94 Times in 60 Posts	Hey DR & XCR, I remember the "Pin Ups" all over the walls in the Rigging Garage at Downings Marine. Grew up there. Good times. LOTs of good storys.

07-24-2013, 06:36 AM	#17
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,669 Thanks: 750 Thanked 1,444 Times in 1,003 Posts	Dockside in Wolfeboro used to be Bailey's but they lost the town lease quite a few years ago and it has been run by at least three other people since. It is now run by the owner's of Garwoods. The old Bailey's on South Main Street just below the hospital, is now called the front porch. Same building, same feel, not much change.

07-24-2013, 07:38 AM	#20
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,612 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 433 Times in 209 Posts	Yup, Downing's repair shop (the newer building next to the covered docks had Playboy centerfolds all over the back wall. A very high wall at that. My dad told me not to go in there. Like I did what I was told. The old Bea Mae's in Gilford is having some remodeling work on the rear half of the building done and the parking lot has some docks and related items in it. Diversified Marine has a sign up in the parking lot saying it will be their new store. __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata

07-24-2013, 07:49 PM	#24
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,983 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	I missed the pinups at Downing's, sad to say. Some of my favorite childhood memories were exploring the boat storage barns in Robert's Cove. There was (is?) some really cool old stuff stored there, especially in the attic of one of them. I'm sure we were not supposed to be up there though. I also fondly recall the ancient coke machine in the marina. The coin mechanism failed so one just had to put a quarter in the tin can screwed to the front of the machine to buy a 10 oz bottle of ice cold Coke. There was no security at all, but no one I know of ever stole a coke or a quarter.