Random Observation...

[Grant]

Over the long holiday weekend, I observed the following:

+ A plane towing a banner around the Lake, proclaiming "Say No to Speedlimits..."
+ Even more over-priced real estate and obscene lakefront development
+ Nightmarish traffic

The combination of these three made me realize that the Lake is morphing into...

THE JERSEY SHORE!

Thoughts? Flames?

[CentreHarborEric]

Haven't been to the Jersey Shore, but I do get tired of all the traffic and commotion out on the lake. Grew up on Winni, but just bought property on another much smaller lake in the area to avoid all the craziness. Now we pick our spots on Winni, like weekend evenings after 8 PM or weekdays.

[Lakewinniboater]

I would STRONGLY disagree. However, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and actions from those opinions.

Remember that this was a holiday weekend, with MANY rentals boats and uneducated boaters. The traffic was horrible and there were MANY offenders of our Safe Passage Law (150') and too many not abiding by the right of way for sure. However, this is not the norm.

As far as the banner..... everyone is entitled to the freedom of speech. Each side of that debate is putting a lot of money and effort behind it. I think they probably just want to educate people that there is a House Bill on the table and then let them make their own judgement.

Have a great day,
Wendy

[wildwoodfam]

All you have to do is look at the evolving traffic patterns on 3 & 93 north on Friday and south on Sunday....traffic, traffic, traffic.... and indications of it worsening are right there in plain sight! The crowding therefore is obvious, but the problem is that I have spent summers on Winni since the early 70's and on Province lake before that, weekends were NEVER this bad - sure there were more boats - but now we don't boat on weekends, period! We go for a couple weeks vacation now and save all our boating for Mon-Thursday! I also never recalled the drive being more than an hour to Weirs....now I am lucky if I can get to Tilton in an hour let alone the Weirs. Of course there is congestion Friday's and Sundays - but for those of us without summer's off we need to look forward to the lake on weekends. Without our two week vacation and mid-week boating we would never get on the water on the Big Lake anymore. We too have since begun a search for smaller lakes in the region, now that our growing family no longer enjoys Winni and the congestion, and most of our relatives have found their own cottages etc on these smaller lakes. I thought moving to smaller would be boring, but my family reports this is not the case. All the boating pelasures of Winni, minus of course a lot of restaurants, bars, to boat too, though some of the smaller lakes do have some of these things...of course what is missing is that infamous boat TRAFFIC! What summers USED to be like on Winni!

[Frdxplorer]

I think it could probably be argued either way. In fact, I often argue with myself over this possibility. I often see the craziness on the lake and wonder if we are headed for the next Ocean City Md. (some refer to it as Ocean S****Y {ryhmes with city}) But when I head out on the lake around 8 o'clock to catch the fabulous sunset, it feels like it is only me out there on the lake. Or when I catch one of those crystal clear nights that you just don't get with the light pollution in other areas.

I also worry about the trash and nuisance plants that seem to have crept into our lake. But I also remind myself that Wolfeboro bay and the Basin in Winter Harbor have had milfoil for as long as I have been coming to the lake. And most of the trash is minor stuff that I just pick up.

It's hard to argue against the traffic on the roads. But my only question is, where are they all going. I don't really see that many new houses on the lake each year. Sure alot of them are much bigger, but are there that many more??? And yes the Inn at Falls Church has added a couple of hundred rooms, but in the overall scheme of things, I am not sure that makes that much more of a difference. Could the traffic be heading to other places such as the mountains etc?

As I said, I could argue with myself all day over this issue. I just know that despite the changes, good or bad, I still love coming to the lake. I have a feeling that regardless of what is to come, that will not change.

[Lakewinniboater]

True it isn't what it once was. Unfortunately, the town that I live in used to be a small farm town.... not any longer. Progress is progress and we really can't stop that. Nor do I really think that we would want to.

However, there are some great lakes out there that will provide quiet relaxation. That is what is great about this country. If we don't like what one has to offer we can go to the other..... AND we can still come back to the first for ammenities.

Lakes such as Wakawan, Squam lakes, Merry meeting, Cresent, even Winnisquam and many others are close enough that you can have quiet and still enjoy Winnipesaukee from time to time.

This gives us the opportunity to not worry about what once was but to find it again!!!

Great country we live in I will tell you!!!!

[BroadHopper]

To avoid all the craziness of a holiday weekend. I spent a day on Winnisquam and another day at Silver lake down 'thesaukee'. They are peaceful compare to my beloved Winni. I'm glad I have spent the best of times on the big lake and that was 30 years ago.

[PROPELLER]

Remember:

1. 4th of July holiday, probably the busiest weekend of the summer.
2. With all the lousy weather we have had, maybe the 1st time many were able to get out.
3. Maybe an abberation that so many people decided to boat all at the same time given the weekend an all.

There are many places on the lake to get away if your willing to explore even on such a busy holiday. Also certain times of the day are better. I did not find it any busier than an average weekend because of where I go and what time.

Remember, population in southern NH is exploding because many are trying to get away from what you are complaining of right now. It will continue to push further north & all those smaller quieter lakes that posters have mentioned they are moving to will also become crowded because they are moving there.

I don't see how it can get much worse on Winni since there is not much room to build more or add more slips, marinas etc. Unless one day everyone that has a boat on the lake decides to use it.

[John A. Birdsall]

I think that we are just seeing the start of the bldg boom. Drive around the lake by boat and while the area is filling up, their are still plenty of trees. Take your car and drive around the lake, their is plenty of off lake spaces that are being used up, but still plenty to be had. Ask property owners about their tax bills, I wonder how many say they could go up.

[SAMIAM]

Random thoughts II
Wicwas and Waukewan are also quiet beautiful lakes....even Kanasatka is nice.
The guy who owns the offshore boat puts friends and family up in local hotels,buys $400 worth of gas,stops for beer and food,buys a few shirts and bathing suits and then takes the family out to dinner.
The kayakers bring a granola bar,bottled water and stay with reletives (I know because my daughter and son in law are kayakers)

[Lakewinniboater]

The girl that has the Cruiser does the same as the guy with the High Performance boat!

Boy, I am almost broke and not even half way through the season. However, I love entertaining my friends on the boat!!!!

[PROPELLER]

John, that maybe true that there is building going on off lake but that does not mean these new buildings will have access to the lake. You can build a house in Gilford but you may not have lake access or if you do because of some sort of easement it does not mean you have a slip or access to a mooring.

If you read my post, I agree & stated population is booming in southern NH & I should clarify that mean southern & central NH which includes the lakes region. What I think is unclear is if this means more boats on Winni because it seams to me that there is very little shore front left & very little room for more slips. Thats why slips cost so much now because there is a limited #. In 4 years my slip has increased in value by 400%, glad I bought when I did.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

"...Random thoughts II
The guy who owns the offshore boat puts friends and family up in local hotels,buys $400 worth of gas,stops for beer and food,buys a few shirts and bathing suits and then takes the family out to dinner..."

Having never been there -- or read about it -- I can't speak about the 'Jersey Shore.

"Our" lake seems to be trending more like Lake Ozarks (though more slowly), a Winnipesaukee-sized lake.

Old family homes there are torn down and replaced with condos. Many restaurants/bars (80) are accessible from the lake, and has many coves and long lake shoreline to loud-party (and lewd-party). The economy is booming, and everybody arriving thinks it's great. IMHO, Lake Winnipesaukee is relatively isolated from all this because of its short (therefore relatively expensive) summer season.

What is in our future? Ozarks lake forum has a link to "all the latest boating accidents". (Lake Ozarks averages 8 boat fatalities a year, already having recorded one this year -- yesterday).

Originally Posted by John Birdsall

"...Drive around the lake by boat and while the area is filling up, their are still plenty of trees..."

But not the same trees.

While evergreens keep the soil and lake water quality secure, can you see which way the road connects homes built "nestled in the trees" 30 years ago? (Yes, there are cottages there).

Where there were pine needles, there is now hardwood leaf litter on land (and leaf blowers) and leaf litter in the lake.

[Grant]

Granted, it was the July 4th weekend...

Still, the appearance of the banner-towing plane made me do a double take. 45 years on Winnipesaukee, and the only place I'd ever seen those things before was on the Jersey shore or the beaches of Florida...usually promoting drink specials or wet tee-shirt contests. (That being said, my brother proposed to his wife via one of those banners...pretty cool...)

Anyway, a FINE long weekend on the Lake. Good weather, good swimming, good boating, good diving (thanks Senter Cove Guy and Dive Winnipesaukee!), good times with the kids, and a good chance that I'll be back in the few weeks.

[upthesaukee]

The growth and overcrowing that seems to be happening is one of the reasons that some of the towns in the area (Alton is one) are looking at their master plan for the community, determining where the town wants to go in the future, and the best way to get there. Alton's residents pretty much said let's stay small, and not open up our town and our land to huge developments that would take our new high school and make it obsolete in 5-10 years.

This past weekend was the first time we were able to get out twice in the same weekend. Monday, we spent almost 8 hours on the lake, and that was after playing 18 holes of golf! Was it crowded out there? Of course. Would I expect it to be that way every weekend throughout the summer? Nope. I agree with some of the comments: the weather has been so bad, that if someone had a chance to get on the lake this weekend, they went, and spent a lot of time on the water. Those not on the water, spent a lot of time driving around shopping, sight seeing, just enjoying the moments.

Jersey Shore...not yet...but it could get that way if growth is not monitored and kept in check.

My 2 cents (maybe a few cents more...)

[KonaChick]

Shep Brown's Boat Basin also ran a plane with a banner advertising their boat sale. It was kind of sad to see, for me anyway. I hope this isn't a thing that's going to catch on. The only reason a boater needs to be looking at the sky is to keep an eye on the changing weather..not trying to figure out what some insane banner says. Jeeessss....I felt like I was on Hampton Beach for a minute not on my deck.

[phoenix]

yes it has gotten more crowded and more expensive but so hasn't every other nice vacation place that is within a few hours of a city. Go to Cape Cod and try to get across the bridge or go to Maryland Eastern Shore , etc. all tough to get to . As far as expensive my friend looked at small condo's in San Diego that were near the water( a few hundred yards) and they are $1M+ so as out society gets wealthier and more moble we get what we get but as Yogi once said " it is so crowded that no one is going there any more"

[Mee-n-Mac]

Jersey Shore, here on Winni, fugedaboutit. As others have said population pressure is moving more people into the Winni area but here on the lake the real estate values are now such that the "great unwashed masses" can't hope to afford a house. You won't get a housing density like parts of the Jersey shore. Then again if only Tony Soprano can afford a house here .... who knows, maybe theres a exotic dance club coming to a former restaurant near you

ps - I hear there's lots of emptiness (for now) up on Moosehead Lake in Maine. The even have their own cruising ship, like a smaller Mt Washington

[Cal]

Saw the "traffic jam" in the Weirs channel over the weekend...actually glad I wasn't there . BTW the Chesapeake was beautiful last weekend

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Flyguy's photos from above are terrific!
Sunday was a very busy day on The Broads. The direction and intensity change of the wind was the key factor.
Monday in the late afternoon there were only a few boats. Many people headed back home early?
I do have other observations of the lake traffic, on The Broads anyway, but if I share them, it could change the patterns.
APS, you have mentioned the loss of pine trees more than once. Wouldn’t the natural progression of a forest change the trees in it? Not that I am arguing about what the pines do. Are hemlocks just as good? I like them because there is no pitch to track into the house. (Now if the deer would cooperate and stop eating them!)

[SIKSUKR]

A quick comment to RSG about the forests natural progression of change.NH lost almost 75% of all it's pine trees from the hurricane in the 30's.I don't know what this had to do with any of this thread but I thought I'd throw that out there.The forest does have an incredible ability to take back over once left alone.SS

[dpg]

Come on - What isn't getting busier and more congested? Everyplace is not just the lake. Any of you used to hunt woods ten years ago that are now populated by homes (such as my case.) What you are talking/complaining (?) about definitely is not restricted to just Winnipesaukee. Like it or not guess that's progress!!??!!

[PROPELLER]

As SS said, not sure what it has do with this thread but even further back maybe 1600, 1700, 1800's much of NH was not forested but was meadows & farmland, so I have read. In the scheme of things NH forests are relatively new.

Many people will say that we are losing much of our forests in the USA but in actuality we have more now than ever before, so I have read. I have not done extensive research on the issue.

[Coastal Laker]

Having spent the first 21 years of my life living at the Jersey Shore (Toms River) before moving to NH a number of years ago, I can tell you that the difference is night and day. And from what my family (many who are still there) have to tell me is that not much has changed. Winni is more scenic, not bungalows and water towers, far FAR more tame, and with a microscopic level of issues relative to theirs. To my knowledge, we haven't had many issues on WInni of jet skis ramming bridges and killing themselves (or hitting boats and killing themselves), and I haven't had a repeat occurance here on Winni like I had in NJ of a boat passing in between my boat and our waterskier. We have MPs they have State Troopers. We have the 150' rule, they don't (though not much difference now that I think about it).

One thing that would be nice here though would be the floating gas docks.

Oh, and I miss the salt-water taffy at the boardwalk.

Other than that, Winni has a long, long way to go to morph in that direction. Won't be in my lifetime.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Coastal Laker

Having spent the first 21 years of my life living at the Jersey Shore (Toms River) before moving to NH a number of years ago, I can tell you that the difference is night and day. ...

I couldn't agree more. My comment was made with my tongue squarely inserted in my cheek. That being said, the traffic, the new homes, the escalating price of real estate, and the banner-towing plane all screamed, "Ocean City North" -- a surreal experience.

As the thread title said, just a random observation from someone who's been been watching both areas his entire life (the Lakes Region more closely) -- a mere fraction of a nanosecond in geologic time.


Yeah...progress. Depends on the definition, I suppose. Some people like it...and some people also like pan-fried liver.

And, if I may digress, I heard one comment regarding the speed limit issue over the weekend that made me think about priorities. In short: The heck with the speed limit, let's first enforce the 150' rule and no-wake zones!

Just my $.02. Others' mileage will certainly vary.

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Jersey Shore, here on Winni, fugedaboutit. As others have said population pressure is moving more people into the Winni area but here on the lake the real estate values are now such that the "great unwashed masses" can't hope to afford a house. You won't get a housing density like parts of the Jersey shore. Then again if only Tony Soprano can afford a house here .... who knows, maybe theres a exotic dance club coming to a former restaurant near you

ps - I hear there's lots of emptiness (for now) up on Moosehead Lake in Maine. The even have their own cruising ship, like a smaller Mt Washington

I noticed lots of new homes along the lake shore as a cruised several weeks back. Does all that development contribute to choking the lake? Think of all the trees that have been cut down, all the paved areas where the water just runs down an oily road and into the lake. It brings to mind the old commercial with Iron Eyes Cody and the tear on his cheek.

Pray that you don't get Bada Bing'd and the rest of that crowd. I can see it now, dumping bodies into the lake. Is against the law to dispose of body in the lake if the body has lead in it?

Youse guys want traffic we can send the shore surplus to you. As for the unwashed and housing prices they can't afford it here either.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

"...I noticed lots of new homes along the lake shore as a cruised several weeks back. Does all that development contribute to choking the lake?...It brings to mind the old commercial with Iron Eyes Cody and the tear on his cheek."

Rattlesnake Island, this spring:

[sum-r breeze]

GTX,
You just made me lol. I can see it now Tony has his guys bring up the
"Stu Gotts" and they anchor it just outside the LOON SANCTUARY with the Sinatra and Dean Martin "live from the copa cabana" sound track blasting till three in the morning. JUST WHAT THIS LAKE NEEDS. Oh my God!
BADA BINGED in style

The Breeze