When I was young and foolish...

[JG1222]

Now, I can neither confirm nor deny my alleged involvement, but I was amazed to see that "evidence" of a youthful indiscretion was still visible fifteen years later. However, one might be able to make out the initials "JG" in this undisclosed location on the lake.

I thought it might be interesting to see what kind of "youthful indiscretions" others might have done around the lake as a kid (bridge jumping, skinny dipping, etc.). Now, I don't think this is the appropriate forum to admit major crimes, but I thought it would be fun to share some good stories.

PS - Bonus points for anyone who knows where the above photo was taken. Who know's - your initials might be near mine... allegedly.

[Grant]

Where do I begin?

Riding on the bow of a zipping skiff with legs dangling in the water...zooming around and perpendicular to the sparring buoys of The Graveyard...sitting on the edge of Abenaki Tower "for a better view"...diving from the top of Rocky Gorge along the Kancamagus...night dives from the old Wawbeek high dive...

Yeah, we thought we were bulletproof. Or something.

[jkjoshuatree]

Jumping off the bridge in the Weirs chanel.

Jumping off the maildock roof on Bear Island.

Sneaking into the girls camp on Bear Island.

Carving my initials (like JG) at an undisclosed location.

Hydrosliding directly from a beach.

Hydrosliding directly from a swim raft.


Boys will be boys I guess. I write more as they come to me.

JG...great idea for a thread.

[Nhlvrnfla]

Many, many years ago, a friend of ours at the Lake (I will not name the lake, but it's in the area) lifted a "headway speed only" sign from the channel, and took it to his hometown in Mass. south of Boston, and put it up at the entrance to a railroad bridge, on a major ROADWAY. We all had many a good HOOT when all the little old ladies would jam on their brakes and go about 10 miles an hour til they were under the tracks...........

Oh..........for the good ole days....

[SIKSUKR]

Wow,this one sticks under my craw.I've certainly done my share of "youthfull" shenanigans,actually still do.Defacing others property is NOT one of them.Having been hit by "taggers" many times at my property really gets my blood boiling.See how fun it is when someone spraypaints your building JG and then we will see if you laugh it off as just"youthfull indescetion".Not only is it not funny its a real blight to the area that was defaced.I never understood the spraypainting of other peoples property.Why would you think this was a funny subject for this forum?I don't get it.

[Joanna16]

Spraypainting is wrong, wrong wrong You naughty kids.


Is it okay though to ride aroung naked at night in a convertible on the way to skinny dipping and hope that you don't get stopped? We literally had nothing in the car to cover anything.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow,this one sticks under my craw.I've certainly done my share of "youthfull" shenanigans,actually still do.Defacing others property is NOT one of them.Having been hit by "taggers" many times at my property really gets my blood boiling.See how fun it is when someone spraypaints your building JG and then we will see if you laugh it off as just"youthfull indescetion".Not only is it not funny its a real blight to the area that was defaced.I never understood the spraypainting of other peoples property.Why would you think this was a funny subject for this forum?I don't get it.

Thank you SS.

Joanna, please let us know where and when you will be doing this again.

[JG1222]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

...then we will see if you laugh it off as just"youthfull indescetion".Not only is it not funny its a real blight to the area that was defaced.I never understood the spraypainting of other peoples property.Why would you think this was a funny subject for this forum?I don't get it.

Just relax SUKR. I laugh it off as just a youthful indiscretion because it was just that - something foolish I did as a kid, which I now recognize as wrong - hence the subject of my post.

So, before you pass a kidney stone on us right here in the middle of the forum, why don't you step back and look at the spirit of the thread. If you'd like to contribute, we'd be happy for your contribution. Otherwise if this thread is not your thing, we've heard your objection and the rest of us can continue.

By the way, I must have missed your comments on the reckless operation of a motorvessel, trespassing, speeding and theft that were also outlined here.

[Airwaves]

Joanna16
Skinning dipping? Where? When?

JG1222
If I had to guess, and I think that was the point, If it were not for what appears to be the tree branch, I'd say the ceiling of the Weirs Channel where the marks are from the Mount when it came from Lakeport to the Weirs and had to be forced under the bridge.

Of course if we had a rough date that your youthful indescrestion occurred then it might help LOL

[Nhlvrnfla]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow,this one sticks under my craw.I've certainly done my share of "youthfull" shenanigans,actually still do.Defacing others property is NOT one of them.Having been hit by "taggers" many times at my property really gets my blood boiling.See how fun it is when someone spraypaints your building JG and then we will see if you laugh it off as just"youthfull indescetion".Not only is it not funny its a real blight to the area that was defaced.I never understood the spraypainting of other peoples property.Why would you think this was a funny subject for this forum?I don't get it.

Apparently He/She has not much of a sense of humor.

I don't think we are talking about doing bad things now? I think the thread is about things we did "back when"?

What WE did was funny as all he11. It was at the time, and would be now. No harm done, and in fact, might have saved some from happening.

Must be nice to be perfect, yes?

[JG1222]

Originally Posted by Airwaves

If it were not for what appears to be the tree branch, I'd say the ceiling of the Weirs Channel where the marks are from the Mount when it came from Lakeport to the Weirs and had to be forced under the bridge.

Of course if we had a rough date that your youthful indescrestion occurred then it might help LOL

You're in the right part of the lake (Weirs area), but it's not under the Weirs Bridge. I can tell you that it is not a bridge at all, and is not as close to the water as a bridge would be. Now that I think about it, another hint I can give you is this: 51 weeks a year, you could see this on the right or the left (granted - only if you were looking for it), but 1 week per year, you can only see it on the right.

PS - You asked for a rough date of when it occurred - I'd say around 1990

[wildwoodfam]

Back when I was a camper at a boys camp on Bear island (hint hint) we "borrowed" the canoes and paddled over to the girls camp where we met a few of our friends and skinny dipped with them....god were we the coolest or what! This was back in the summer of 1980 (or thereabouts --- I better not put to accurate a date or they may track my records!) Another act of tomfollery was mooning ( )the US Mailboat as it left the camp dock - from the large rock. We were not able to escape (well not all of us) from that mis-adventure...as there happened to be a counselor coming down the path from the outpost who spied our antics.

Oh well - thanks for making me recall how silly I was back in the day!

[NightWing]

Boy am I glad this thread is only about near water indescretions. If it was about stuff on the street, I might have to confess......................but not before I checked the statute of limitations.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by JG1222

51 weeks a year, you could see this on the right or the left (granted - only if you were looking for it), but 1 week per year, you can only see it on the right.

Now I have to drive home tonight looking to the right.

[JG1222]

Another hint - the one week per year I'm talking about is Bike Week. That might help you narrow it down.

[donmac]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow,this one sticks under my craw.I've certainly done my share of "youthfull" shenanigans,actually still do.Defacing others property is NOT one of them.Having been hit by "taggers" many times at my property really gets my blood boiling.See how fun it is when someone spraypaints your building JG and then we will see if you laugh it off as just"youthfull indescetion".Not only is it not funny its a real blight to the area that was defaced.I never understood the spraypainting of other peoples property.Why would you think this was a funny subject for this forum?I don't get it.

Siksukr, I'm with you.

That picture wow'd me also. While it may have been a youthful indiscretion, showing it off in public and having everyone laugh it off can only suggest to current teens that it is OK to spray paint our landscape.

-donmac

[JG1222]

DISCLAIMER: When I was a kid (admittedly, back when my judgment wasn’t nearly as good), I did indeed spray-paint my initials in a discreet location in an effort to “forever leave my mark” on my favorite place in the entire world – Lake Winnipesaukee. I freely admit it (as I’m fairly confident that the statute of limitations has long since expired). It was wrong. I regret it. I would not do it again. I would strongly discourage anyone from committing this or similar acts. I in no way condone illegal activity. However, none of this changes the fact that I did it, and I’m willing to bet that others have done similar things in life – things that they may or may not regret as much, but certainly make for good stories many years later. Stories that when shared, bring back fond memories of a time when things were much simpler, responsibilities were not nearly as great as they are now, and summers lasted forever. The true intent of this thread is to evoke those memories.

Now, there are those of us that will not have the ability to discern between a non-malicious act of youthful indiscretion (such as carving your initials in a tree) and a malicious act (cutting down the entire tree and pulling it across the road for cars to avoid). For those people, I would say that this thread is probably not the thread for you.

I also realize that there will be an uncontrollable and undeniable urge for some of us to express our disdain for such heinous crimes. Some will post the obvious, like “spray-painting is BAD”, or the ridiculous, like “this will only let our youth know that it’s OK”. In either case, I appreciate the contribution. However, I’d like to keep the thread that I started on-subject for those of us who can put aside the “rampant criminality” of skinny dipping and see that the memories and story surrounding the act is the real purpose of the thread.

[Grant]

Relax. In a public forum such as this, folks will always gets their shorts in a knot over anything. The term "youthful indiscretion" should be discalimer enough...

[gravy boat]

Skinny dipping? You betcha! This year will be no exception.

Before my skinny dipping times, I remember my friends and I sneaking out late at night and snatching the clothes and towels of some unnamed brother, brother's friends (male and female) and our cousins' babysitter. We then turned the lights on so they could find their way home.

I recall a summer day when a water balloon launcher from a maroon Century was involved. Some of you know the rest of the story (this means you, Pepper).

And I will never admit to mooning the Mount Washington at night in the old Renken.

[kunamola]

Come now, do you really think any kid who would possibly be reading this forum, and I do doubt there are many, would consider that this was an appropriate thing to emulate? Give our youngsters more credit.

It is a reminiscense and was certainly meant to generate some other fond memories to be shared. Alas, skinnydipping is about all I can think of from these parts, I never thought ahead enough to bring anything with which to leave my initials at Abenaki tower.

[Just Sold]

I remember some water balloons going down the hall way of the cottage to the right of the Pavillion in Alton Bay. Now who would have done that???

How about LC and me at 11 and 12 respectively crossing the bow and stern of the Mount followed by a siren and escort home from the marine patrol.

An Easter weekend of opening the cottage for my parents and a large stack of Bud with G. M. & D. C. One guest decided that too much beer would not stay down and that the main heating grate was a great depository. (Shorter trip than to the john.) What a smell as we cranked the heat up. GM & DC tried to dispose of the empty cans by laying on their backs on the dock and tossing them backwards into the lake. What a debris field we cleaned up the next day with the neighbor watching us. G.M. later practiced, with my car, for his drivers test. Thought the garage was going to fall off the hill when I saw it shaking .... He was banned from parking in or near it.

Or how about the young man from just below Cascades taking his parents Century Resorter and doing 180's while aiming at the shore line near Boulder lodge. Maybe he is a member of this forum today? He was also the same individual who swamped a 9' Starcraft (mine and still have it) with 2 very nice young ladies in it.

We all did something that is memorable or not so memorable.

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by gravy boat

...

I recall a summer day when a water balloon launcher from a maroon Century was involved. Some of you know the rest of the story (this means you, Pepper).

...

Indeed! I do recall that very day.

And while we're reminiscing - let's not forget about a certain length of PCV pipe which facilitated the launching of a few dozen pounds of spuds over the years ... Lawdhavmercy what a boom it made!

And how about a certain contingent of our family who "invented" parasailing off the top of the boathouse all these many years ago... (and remember how upset a certain neighbor got when he found out where the rope came from!!!!! )

(BTW - I'll have to ask Miss Moneypenny about some of those aforementioned events!

And one more final note, which will only make sense to GravyBoat ... "Woooo Hoooooooo - - - Fruit Salad!"

[Nhlvrnfla]

Back in "the day", many years ago around Ossipee, and points toward Maine, up through Freedom, boyfriend and I rode around in his '47 Plymouth convertible with the top down, and he hollered at all the gardeners and farmers in a totally made up, contrived, ridiculously bad German accent" lots of gibberish" and they all looked at us like "what the heck" but no harm was done and we had a blast. Lotsa fun. Feeling like a kid again now........thanks for this thread.

[Airwaves]

JG1222 wrote:

Another hint - the one week per year I'm talking about is Bike Week. That might help you narrow it down.

Ya know when you said one week a year it wasn't visible on the left, I was thinking Bike Week. Now, if I can only turn my head to the right during Bike Week!

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by Nhlvrnfla

Back in "the day", many years ago around Ossipee, and points toward Maine, up through Freedom, boyfriend and I rode around in his '47 Plymouth convertible with the top down, and he hollered at all the gardeners and farmers in a totally made up, contrived, ridiculously bad German accent" lots of gibberish" and they all looked at us like "what the heck" but no harm was done and we had a blast. Lotsa fun. Feeling like a kid again now........thanks for this thread.

Just reading about it had me laughing out loud! I'll bet it was a howling good time! I can just imagine the looks on those farmers' faces!

Oh the silly things we find fun when we're young ...

Perhaps we ought to resurrect some of that silliness at our current ages! Surely we'd all manage to generate enough "what the heck" looks to keep us all laughing for weeks!!!

[OFD232]

Lets see I remember one late lazy afternoon watersking in the buff with some friends I dsplayed my Irish shortcoming and she displayed a rather lovely derriere that still can bring tears to my eyes when I think about it. The only problem was it was so long ago my memory is dimming

[RumGuy]

Back in the day, we were not fortunate enough to have engineered towables to play with, so in our infinite wisdom, we designed our own. Those ranged from cabinet doors tied to the boat (don't dip the front) to inner tubes (wallow). As a parent now, I know that MY folks were looking out saying "What are those idiots up to now?" How we never drowned, I will never know...
I can tell you that a bicycle stops immediately upon hitting the water from 3 or more feet up, so be sure to get over the handlebars, and no matter how hard you try, a construction wheelbarrow will not stay upright when launched off a dock with an idiot in it. I thought that I had my weight well centered there, too....

[wildwoodfam]

Having ridden one off our dock many times as a young adventurer - let's say there was one episode -coming down the hill - onto the dock - off the ramp and about 10 feet into the air - only to come down HARD into the water - only I forgot to launch myself up over the bars - and landed squarely on the cross bar - OUCH!!!! I thought I had ruined my chances for fathering children in the future - and as I recall I walked rather oddly for the rest of that summer ... I also remember disassembling an old round kitchen table - and taking a captains chair and sitting it on the table and using the blocks on the underside as anchors for the chair legs - towing that stupid thing around the bay - with a buddy on the chair! We got quite the looks!! Boy was that fun! I also remember taking the canoe over the Mounts wake as it passed the house - that was probably NOT a very intelligent activity - but was fun back then! Oh well - I also recall riding in my grandparents Plymouth Fury III in the middle of the front seat with them travelling up 93 to the lake back in the day... imagine that today - how times and practices have changed!

Originally Posted by RumGuy

Back in the day, we were not fortunate enough to have engineered towables to play with, so in our infinite wisdom, we designed our own. Those ranged from cabinet doors tied to the boat (don't dip the front) to inner tubes (wallow). As a parent now, I know that MY folks were looking out saying "What are those idiots up to now?" How we never drowned, I will never know...
I can tell you that a bicycle stops immediately upon hitting the water from 3 or more feet up, so be sure to get over the handlebars, and no matter how hard you try, a construction wheelbarrow will not stay upright when launched off a dock with an idiot in it. I thought that I had my weight well centered there, too....

[KBoater]

Things I remember doing in olden times.
1) Water skiing using a canoe paddle.
2) Using home made tow toys ( cabinet doors, dive board)
3) What is the name of the boards that were towed?
4) Towing a “flying saucer”
5) Trying to “flip” a boat and succeeding. I was the passenger and after coming up for air and viewing the boat coming down at me that was the last time.
6) Driving back to Moultonboro Neck for Wolfeboro at idle after hitting the prop in the Back Bay.(we were just going to Sheps for gas and arrived home 7 hours later)
7) Loosing the top of the suit will falling during skiing.

8) The best(or worst) Beaching an inboard at fast speed to get out of the rain and causing the boat to only run in reverse. I was saved by a hurricane (195?) because the boat was totaled and my mother never found out about it.
Glad I out grew all this but OH the memories.

[Weirs guy]

This one time, at band camp.....

I remember telling my buddy one time when you jump your bike into the water do not pull up on the handlebars or you'll flip over backwards. He decided it was ok to push down them.

[RumGuy]

Yes, I too rode up from Southern MA in a 66 Ford wagon with the rear deck laid flat so that I could sleep, thus making me a human missile if anything were to happen. Now my kids complain about who is sitting where (on leather). I tell them that wherever I sat there was no A/C, no stereo (or MP3 player), and more than once I was called upon to help change a flat. The car's ride wasn't anything near what they are used to, and occasionally a smell came from up front that would cause the dog to gag. They have no idea...

On a lighter note, my ex once lost her top waterskiing, sadly no one noticed save for the tan lines...

[jkjoshuatree]

My brother and I once tried to use a garden hose as an oxygen tank.

He stood on our swimraft with it held high in the air and I dove in the water with the other end in my mouth.

Needless to say that because of the length of the hose (approx. twenty feet) and the pressure from the water after going down about five feet, it didn't work. I almost drowned.

Oh well. I think about that day now and smile everytime.

My brother also tried to use a hand-held eggbeater to propel our rowboat (a la Bugs Bunny) and surprise, surprise, that didn't work either.

Kids are so naive and it's the greatest thing in the world to have that kind of innocence and imagination.

I don't care what anybody says, this is a great thread. Thanks for thinking of it.

Jk

[Mee-n-Mac]

Just in case they are any impressionable kids reading this ...

I did not jump the Mount's wake, losing the windshield in the process.

I did not race the kid from Patrician Shores with the Whaler, ignoring all boating rules and regs in the process.

I did not tow more than 2 people on the ski-bob (and rip it in the process).

I did not tie somebody's OB skew to the dock.

I did not put fish nor frogs in a slingshot to see how far they could fly.

I did not drop cherry bombs or M80s tied to rocks to blow up fish.

I did not shoot any fish with a .22

I did not burn up my friend's raft with unlawful fireworks (and if I did, it was out of state anyway !)

No, I did not do any of these bad things and if you have proof that I did ... PM me and we can talk.

[JG1222]

Does anyone remember what a great view of the lake you could get from an old lookout off Scenic Dr. after you go through the Weirs? (You know, the road that leads to the Tamarack via the back way - which incidentally during Bike Week is converted to a "One Way", hint, hint.)

It's on the right-hand side with a little paved parking area (which is way overgrown with brush now). Anyway, if you're looking at this not-so-scenic outlook now from the road, there is a retaining wall to the left. That's where we allegedly left our marks.

As teenagers, we used to pull our cars down a little and walk to the edge, where you'd have a great view of Eagle Island and be right over the railroad tracks to watch the train go by.
[CENTER]

Scans of photos taken in September of 1991:

[JG1222]

Although it wasn't on Winnipesaukee (rather Lake Manchaug in Douglas, MA), it was always fun to "swap boats". We would slip into the water late at night, untie a boat from someone's dock and wade through the water with it to the next dock down. We'd then take that person's boat and wade back through the water and put it where the original boat was. We'd tie both boats up exactly as they were on their own docks (including spooling the extra dock line).

We'd always talk about getting up early the next morning, ride over in our boat to the general area to watch the reaction of the two neighbors trying to figure out just how much they had to drink the night before to tie up at the wrong dock, but we never got around to it.

[onthebay]

Speaking of foolish things. A friend of mine had a camp on Manchaug. (Beatons Island) and we thought it was a great idea to swim across the lake Halloween night. Of course we had a little antifreeze in us at the time.

We also ripped apart a number of lower units on that lake.

[JG1222]

Originally Posted by onthebay

We also ripped apart a number of lower units on that lake.

I can't tell you how many times we saw boats destroyed when they'd hit the underwater wall where the old lake used to end down in King's Cove!

[onthebay]

Did you know they closed Kings and created house lots?

[WeirsGuard]

I did not ride through the Weirs Channel at 2:00 AM at full speed in a friends old wooden (Mahogony?) Chris Craft speedboat. Adult beverages were involved. Talk about young and stupid.

Nor did we drop a full keg off the swimming platform at Three Mile Island for a party with the AMC kids. Kegs sink. The resulting recivery effort was worthy of our Naval Salvage units.

[Just Sold]

A very good friend and another had met some young ladies at the Wiers and took them up the road past where Akwa Solei marina will be and pull off for some sub mariner exploration when to their supprise a bright light appeared. They were parked on the RR tracks!

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Just Sold

They were parked on the RR tracks!

I have never been young and foolish. (disclaimer) I have always been 102 years old and I don't remember that far back! (there must be a statute of limitation on these things.....)

I did have the pleasure of a kayak adventure on Suncook Lake today. I photographed the following youthful indescretions ....spray-painting your name on a bridge ....and....(gasp!) jumping off a bridge with a sign that says....."NO JUMPING OFF THIS BRIDGE!!!!"

[Hallnit]

AHHH, the smiles on my face reading all these posts!!!
McDude,
this picture reminds me of last year camping at Pawtuckaway with the whole gang , 13 families, 49 total (fertile group)
Me my wife and brother and sister in law encouraged all the kids to go jump off the bridge and they thought that was the coolest thing, although some of our friends had sticks up their butts when they found out . Bridge was only about 10-15 high, but was a right of passage for the kids and of course me and my brother in law joined them .

We used to jump off the bridge on the way to Newfound lake off exit 23 as a warm up and then we went to some falls (can't remember the name) near there and would plug the outflow with rocks to raise the water level when needed before we jumped.

Last year I was on Newfound and found the rocks we used to jump off by boat. now there is a house there. no tresspassing sign so I dove in and jumped anyway just for old times. I remember having to walk down a dirt trail to get to this spot and skinnydipping and sunbathing during the day and a hole in the rock at the top that you could drop your emptys into and they would clang for quite a while on the way down.

GOOD TIMES!!!!

[donmac]

Originally Posted by mcdude

Wow, that pic brings back memories! My best bud from childhood had a camp on Suncook and I spent a portion of my summers there in the last half of the 60’s (and early 70's?). Spent lots of time around the bridge!

[Hallnit]

Did the dog jump off the bridge too?

[The Eagle]

Hi Guys and Gals.
You haven't heard from me in a while but this thread got my attention! (I don't believe I'm going to tell you all this one!)

WAY back in the late 1960's, my Friend Tom had a house on Mirror Lake. He had this "girl friend" who was "saving herself" for marriage. So,Tom asked her to marry him, and they decided one weekend to "Elope" and get married. My friend Danny got an "Alter boy's outfit," from our church. and we stole a "Justice of the Peace," sign, from some place on the way up, and hung it on Tom's parent's cottage. One of our other Older friends, "Officiated the ceremony!" She thought it was for real, and didn't find out until after the weekend, and the Honeymoon, was over, that it was all a joke! She wouldn't talk to us again, until the next year when they DID get married and we were all in the wedding. Boy her DAD would have kicked out butts!
Can anyone beat that one!
Your friend,
"The Eagle"

[jrc]

Wow Eagle,

Talk about going all the way to go all the way.

[gravy boat]

Eagle,

You have earned my undying respect for that shenanigan!

Gravy

[LIforrelaxin]

Eagle, I think that one will take the cake.... and they say my generation was wild and foolish.... but the older I get and the more I hear from those slightly older than I....the more I realize...... Things never change..........

[Island Girl]

Hey Eagle, Great to see you back... so did the couple stay married?

IG

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Hey Eagle, Great to see you back... so did the couple stay married?

IG

Not only are they still married, she's a Senator and he is an ex-President!

[The Eagle]

Hi Island Girl,
No they didn't stay married. It only lasted about four years, but we still laugh about it. (I liked Dave's reply, though). Here's another one we pulled on her, after they were married.
Same cottage, at Mirror Lake, only in the winter. No running water, so the guys, used the rest area that "Mother Nature," supplied. The girls, would use the bedroom and hang their butts out the window. So one time "Donna" was doing her thing, and I went outside, grabbed a couple branches, and came up "Behind" her, and rubbed her Butt,(with the branch) while GROWLING LIKE A BEAR! talk about how fast the faucet can stop, and boy can she can run! We laughed so hard we almost wet our pants, and she was so mad, she didn't talk to us all weekend.
Just in case anyone is wondering, they moved to NJ, where they lived until they divorced. So, NO, our antics didn't have anything to do with their split up. At least, I don't believe so! I have never claimed I was a "Saint!" LOL!
"The Eagle"

[John A. Birdsall]

Eagle, tell me is she or was she a blonde?

[The Eagle]

Hi John,
I KNOW, I'm going to get beat up on this, but as it was, TRUTH be told! YES, Donna was in fact, a definite BLOND!

"The Eagle"

[JG1222]

I did NOT trespass on the old train bridge near Winnisquam (on Silver Lake).

I certainly did not JUMP from it.

And we definitely didn't use the great rope swing that was on the other side.

[JG1222]

Oh, and I didn't jump the Sophie's C's wake or try to race across the Broads during a storm in a 14' aluminum rowboat with motor that exceeded the rating of the boat. Yet, I have often wondered why, to this day, most of the rivits leak and the aluminum bow still buckles when you hit a big wave).

[jkjoshuatree]

My brother and I beat the absolute living h*ll out of our thirteen foot Boston Whaler on numerous occasions.

We've hit rocks with the prop, broke the seat (at least 3 times that I can remember), banged up the rub rails, and adjusted the engine (so we could go faster) to the point that unless you were going full throttle, the boat constantly bounced.

It was pretty funny watching dad come back from the mainland one day. He stopped every fifty yards or so trying to figure out why the boat was bouncing. Bro an I were in hysterics.

It was such a regular thing for us to break the boat that I actually wrote "broke the boat again" in my senior statement for my high school year book.

[Dave R]

How about older and foolish?

Me

Castle in the Clouds

Last week

[Weirs guy]

Hey, I could use that shower head for my bathroom remodeling project! Would older and foolisher us "borrow" such a thing??

[gtxrider]

How did we get to be so old?

We road on the top of the back seat of my cousin's 61 Impala convertable (it was new).

We never wore helmets while riding bikes.

We sat in the back of pick up trucks riding down Rts. 1 and 9.

Water skied with only a life belt that was not USCG approved and took off and landed in shallow water. So close to shore that I once was stopped by the wall of the Sandy Point Beach motel.

The cars we road in had steel dashboards and no seat belts. Seven in a 59 Belair going New Hampshire for 7 hours.

And that's all I will admit to!

[4Fun]

We never used to go night canoeing without life jackets. At least we had plenty of beer to keep us safe.

[Wolfeboro Matt]

Great thread...

FLboater – It’s good to hear I wasn’t the only one who though tipping boats was a god idea. I used to flip Sunfish out in the middle of Wolfeboro Bay. For some reason I thought it was fun to upright them again. Not a good idea with the traffic out there nowadays.

And definitely do not try this one at home – I knew it was a bad idea and I was only 7 or 8 at the time. The “grownups” (if you could call them that) thought it would be a neat idea to take all the firework duds that failed to go off, put them in a card board box, douse them with lighter fluid, and ignite it. But wait, it gets better. Rather than do so on the beach (too close to the house), they put them on the swim dock. The wooden swim dock. Nothing but charred remains in the morning. (Mee-n-Mac – I figured for sure I was alone on this one.)

And of course there were the bottle rocket wars. Another brilliant concept.

[tis]

A bunch of us didn't have a big campfire on my folk's beach and the fire department didn't come in all their glory and scare us all to death.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by Wolfeboro Matt

And of course there were the bottle rocket wars. Another brilliant concept.

Isn't that why they put the long handles on them, to make it easier to aim?

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Wolfeboro Matt

And of course there were the bottle rocket wars. Another brilliant concept.

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

Isn't that why they put the long handles on them, to make it easier to aim?

The wussy types put the stick in a tube and sighted along it to aim the rockets at their adversaries. We found it much more machismo (and skillful) to hold them by the stick and use an underhand swing motion, timing the letgo so as to have main motor ignition coincide with alignment to the victim. Aaah to be young again.

[Weirs guy]

Wow, I think I'll just stick to using roman candles Mee.

[KBoater]

Cherry bombs under used soup cans. Great noise.

[JG1222]

Back in the day, when there was only one "cable" company and everyone had the same remote control (not so far back that the remotes were still attached with a wire), we never used to creep around the windows of houses in the neighborhood where we rented to change the channels, increase volume, etc. to unsuspecting people who were watching TV.

We also NEVER used a potato knocker. For those of you who have never heard of one, picture this: Get yourself a wire clothes hanger (like the kind your get when you pickup your shirts at the dry cleaner). Put your finger out and hold the "hook" end with one hand. With the other hand, put your finger dead center on the bottom of the horizontal part (where a pair of pants would hang) and pull apart. Now, with the end that has the hook on it, cram a raw potato on the end like you were hooking a worm. With the other end, bend it so it will hang on the lower part of someone's screen door (this was back in the day as well, when everyone had those silver aluminum bottoms on the doors).

Tie a piece of fishing line to the end with the potato and run across the street or hide behind a bush with the other end. Tug on the fishing line and the potato will "knock" on the bottom of the door. Do it 2-3 times and stop. Watch in amazement as the front light comes on, and someone opens the inside door and looks around, wondering where their unexpected visitor went. When the door shuts, count to 60 and "knock" again. Repeat until you get caught or wet yourself laughing.

DISCLAIMER: In this day and age, I wouldn't even attempt or recommend something like this (today someone is likely to get themselves shot when they choose the wrong house), but in "simpler times"...

[WeirsGuard]

We didn't attach M-80's with a smoldering cigarette as a timer to the pilings under the Weirs Boardwalk and then sit outside of Konner's Kandy Kitchen to wait for the explosion.

The reactions were priceless.

In hindsight; very stupid.

[tricia1218]

I think the long stick on bottle rockets was for putting them in emply beer bottles to have better aim.

[Misty Blue]

You know those little Pop Balls. The ones that you throw on the ground or step on to make a small explosion?

Well make sure that you never take two of them and place them under the public toilet seat (under the rubber stoppers). If some unsuspecting traveler decides to use the throne....Pop-Pop!!!

Run like HELL!!!

Misty Blue

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by JG1222

Back in the day, when there was only one "cable" company and everyone had the same remote control (not so far back that the remotes were still attached with a wire), we never used to creep around the windows of houses in the neighborhood where we rented to change the channels, increase volume, etc. to unsuspecting people who were watching TV.

We also NEVER used a potato knocker.

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

You know those little Pop Balls. The ones that you throw on the ground or step on to make a small explosion?
Well make sure that you never take two of them and place them under the public toilet seat (under the rubber stoppers). If some unsuspecting traveler decides to use the throne....Pop-Pop!!!

Run like HELL!!!
Misty Blue

Now there's some ideas that never occured to me ! I am truely humbled by the inventiveness and audacity of such magnificent mischieviousness.

[Dickie B from HB]

Back a few eras ago when I was a teenager, I had a B utlity racing boat powered by a 10 Hurricane Mercury. I used to take it to the Weirs from Lake Shore Park. But I never went through Sally's Gut at full speed (certainly not more than a few times).

Dick B.

[Pepper]

My brother-in-law who is a professional firefighter DID NOT rig up any spark plugs just inside the edge of his exhaust pipe outlet, and those plugs were NEVER connected to a line leading to the windshield washer reservoir, which was MOST CERTAINLY NOT filled with gasoline, nor was any of this apparatus connected to a switch on his steering column. Therefore he DID NOT EVER back his car up to any dried up cornfields in New Jersey and set them aflame when he was young and foolish.

[Kevin C]

Originally Posted by FLboater

Cherry bombs under used soup cans. Great noise.

....and great shrapnel !!

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Grant

Relax. In a public forum such as this, folks will always gets their shorts in a knot over anything. The term "youthful indiscretion" should be discalimer enough...

Fun stuff, until it hits home

Originally Posted by Grant

You know, nothing surprises me anymore. Last year at this time, I found that someone had kicked a bunch of rails and signs off of Abenaki Tower, and had left a *turd* up top. After climbing that tower daily during the summer and even in winter since it was replaced in 1978, I'd seen garbage, graffiti, etc. -- things you learn to pick up and live with -- but wanton vandalism and the "calling card" topped 'em all.

This article just reaffirms my beilef that human scum are everywhere -- and it's up to us to ferrett the losers out make them feel as unwanted as possible. Find these punks and let 'em have it.

referenced article:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...=Abenaki+Tower

Perhaps you are now better able to understand SIKSUKR's position on the topic.

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow,this one sticks under my craw.I've certainly done my share of "youthfull" shenanigans,actually still do.Defacing others property is NOT one of them.Having been hit by "taggers" many times at my property really gets my blood boiling.See how fun it is when someone spraypaints your building JG and then we will see if you laugh it off as just"youthfull indescetion".Not only is it not funny its a real blight to the area that was defaced.I never understood the spraypainting of other peoples property.Why would you think this was a funny subject for this forum?I don't get it.

[SIKSUKR]

Thanks GWC.I've been quiet since my one post because apparently I seem to be the only one that is digusted with graffitti on someone elses property.Like I said before,I've certainly not been an angel,far from it,and still am not.Spraypainting and other acts of vandalizing to other peoples property is not funny to me.Since this thread started I've been hit two more times on my building and another on one of my trucks.I've spent many hours and dollars fixing these pranks.I'm done with my rant.Now as far as these other posts,I find them pretty amusing seeing I've participated in a few.

[Orion]

OK, I have to get this off my chest.....but it does include some "vandalism" which has left some guilt in me over the past 35 or so years. I was in high school and we had trailered my friends father's 14' boat up to Winni for some early Spring fishing (yep, he trusted us).

The water was extra high that year and I (foolishly) had no chart, though I knew the Lake somewhat. We were coming out of the cove in front of Idlewild between Cow and Ragged Island. the water was high enough to be above the (then unknown to me) unmarked boulder which is visible most of the time. I figured we were clear of the cove and any obstructions (having cleared the red marker) and opened her up to head back to Gilford. Oooops....we went clear over that monster rock, sending the boat in the air and busting the prop shear pin in the process.

The weather was closing in and we noticed some water starting to enter through a crack we created in the hull. Had to get the shear pin fixed...but we had nothing to use. We saw a cottage on that small Island between Ragged and Cow and quicly paddled over to scrounge. The only thing we could find was the screen door hinges and they worked perfectly! Fixed it, then nursed it back across the broads with the bilge pump running and made it on the trailer "safely".

Now, every time I see the scene in "On Golden Pond" where the screen door falls off the porch, I'm convinced it was inspired by that "petty theft" of my youth.

Whoever owned that Island at the time, we owe ya.

Now I'm wiser and more experienced and NEVER go anywhere without a chart.....or a shear pin.

[Island-Ho]

Great Story. I'll pass it along to the current owners of Little Pine Tree who were the owners back then also!

[jrc]

Hopefully the statute of limitations has expired.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by jrc

Hopefully the statute of limitations has expired.

Yep, the statute of limitation on that one (one year) has passed many years ago.....perhaps if the same owners still reside there as suggested in another post, the offending parties could leave a little gift someday on the shores of the owner as a thank-you for that transgression that occured many moons ago!

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Skip

the offending parties could leave a little gift someday on the shores of the owner as a thank-you for that transgression that occured many moons ago!

Great idea. Maybe then my conscience will be clear.

[CEP]

That would be the kindest, unexpected thing to do and you would fell much better and maybe start a new friendship!!

CEP

[Weirs guy]

maybe a new screen door?

[jrc]

a gift card to Home Depot would be easier to get in the boat

[JG1222]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Spraypainting and other acts of vandalizing to other peoples property is not funny to me.Since this thread started I've been hit two more times on my building and another on one of my trucks..

Just to ease your curiosity, it definitely wasn't me! LOL

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by JG1222

Just to ease your curiosity, it definitely wasn't me! LOL

The jury may still be out on that one, as some would argue that, "the handwriting is on the wall!"

[GWC...]

Looks like someone followed JG1222's example and kicked it up a notch...

[SIKSUKR]

I saw that lovely prank on my way through the channel on Saturday.I think the picture speaks for itself.I rest my case.I will say though that's a lot worse than a couple of initials on some unowned(private) concrete.

[Fishy Cover]

This is not a Winnepesaukee story but nevertheless a boating story. In 1967 I was a very young Army 2nd Lieutenant and spent a while at Cam Ranh Bay, Viet Nam. I was able to intercept a shipment of three 15' runabouts & 35 hp outboards, water skis etc that were being trans shipped to an R&R center in Qui Nhon. Having been an outboard mechanic before the Army I was able to install the engine and controls on one, get a battery, fuel, trailer & truck to tow it and my other Lieutenant buds and I spent a delightful afternoon water skiing just north of the floating bridge. What a contrast between the Hueys, F4's and C-130's taking off and landing at the air base and us water skiing. I think I was the first ever water skier on Cam Ranh Bay. Fortunately my CO never found out what I was doing.

The next day all 3 boats were shipped out and shortly after so was I. I'll never forget this relaxing interlude in an otherwise exciting year. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.

[Island-Ho]

Orion - The owners of Little Pine Tree remember that the porch area was broken into about that time, but didn't recall having problems with the screen door. They took it well and had a good laugh over your story.

[Orion]

Hmmm. Maybe it was a different Island. It's tough to reconstruct the incident 34 years later.

[KEP]

Running from police or adults (or squirrels for that matter) in the pitch-black woods, with backpacks full of beer (have you ever tried to run without seeing one thing in front of you, in the woods, no less?)

Skinning my knee from a head-over-heels tumble, again, running in the dark with a backpack full of beer

Sneaking out of the camp at night to go down to the beach and hang out with the boys (who had no curfews...lucky)

Making ungodly noise and waking up all the oldies sleeping

Ok, that's all for now

[JG1222]

I remember the time we thought that one 1-gallon bottle of purple/grape Zar-Rex super-concentrated drink mix would completely change the color of the neighbor's pool. Guess what - it didn't work (we tried one jug, but really could have used about 20 more).