Lower Crowds

mets3007 · 08-22-2006, 10:23 PM

I just came back from the Weirs area and yes there is less people. The place was a ghost town Saturday and Sunday nite. In the daytime there are people on the boat and train but then at nite they disappear. The hotels are still booked on weekends though, but mid week it was emptier than usual < this is my 18th season up there>.

GusMan · 08-22-2006, 10:45 PM

Hi All,

Not sure about the overall trend about crowds in the Lakes Region, but I do have some anecdotal evidence.

I typically drive up to winnie 4-5 times a year for day trips to fish the big lake (I'm from Massachusetts). I have yet to vist this year, and yes gas prices are at least partly to blame. A trip to winnie towing my bassboat would mean nearly a tank of gas in my truck ($60-70) and depending how much I cruise around the lake (which I *LOVE* to do while fishing) another $30-40 in boat gas.

Instead, I've been fishing local ponds that cost almost nothing to fish ... short drives and small lakes that require *very* little boat gas. In fact, this is the first year I've used my Massachusetts fishing license outside of ice fishing season.

My first trip to winnie this year will be for the Naswa "autumn breeze" special. We did this last year (the Sunday thru Thursday before labor day) and had a great time... we had booked this back in March. We just called to see if we could come in a day early and it was no problem... our cabin was not booked for this weekend..... I was surprised.

So... I'm actually looking forward to a somewhat quiet week!

Cheers....

Gusman

fatlazyless · 08-22-2006, 11:44 PM

Eliminating the highway tokens at the Hooksett toll booths was the one main reason for the overall revenue downturn! I actually noticed hundreds of angry NH residents from southern NH that were backing up, and/or making a U-turn out on Rt 93 just before the toll booths once they learned that what used to cost them 37 1/2 cents had been doubled up to 75 cents. Off they went west to Vermont, which can be accessed toll-free.

The long stretch of hot, rainy and humid weather from May 15 thru August 7, and $2.92 gasoline had absolutely nothing to do with the revenue downturn!

Weirs guy · 08-23-2006, 05:39 AM

no lower crowds here, don't bother coming up, we're full.

I know that gas is only slightly higher then last year, but thats slightly higher then the year before, and so on and so on, and its keeping me home more. Its also not been the warmest summer. I heard another report on local radio last night that indicated gas and rental prices were effecting tourism up here. I bet the slow Saturday mets3007 saw has more to do with less local kids hanging out here then they used to (gas again?).

But if we look at the big picture, and I like the 5 year trend too, how much disposible cash that people had 5 years ago is going to a morgage? How much has gas gone up? Rental prices? Changes to boating laws?

It looks like a downturn, but I'd bet its also a short lived downturn that we'd better take advantage of while we can.

SteveA · 08-23-2006, 07:43 AM

From today's Citizen

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...142/-1/CITIZEN

Looks like there is at least some effect of higher gas prices meaning fewer visitors.

SteveA

SAUGUS BOATER · 08-23-2006, 07:47 AM

are people really driving the extra 80 +/- miles to the Peoples Republic Of Vermont just to avoid an extra 37 1/2 cents at the hookset toll ?

Talk about stingy !!

WeirsGuard · 08-23-2006, 08:10 AM

Have been to the Weirs on a couple of Sat nights this year just to check the place out for old times sake. The crowds are certainly down this year and I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact the Weirs is just getting "old"? The same arcades, junk food, and trashy gift stores. Like JRC said, tastes change and perhaps this is a factor. Also, the Weirs has always been a "blue collar" family destination. Even in the era of condos, McMansions and big boats a day at the beach and a night on the Boardwalk were within reach. Now consider the price of gas, increased motel rates etc.and even the Weirs becomes less affordable.

As someone who spent all their summers at the Weirs while growing up I,ve come to the opinion that the Weirs will continue to deteriorate (ala Hampton/Salsbury Beach) or will be slowly gobbled up and turned into Meredith South. But perhaps that is for another thread.

08-22-2006, 11:44 PM	#3
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,793 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,024 Times in 745 Posts	......75 cents! Eliminating the highway tokens at the Hooksett toll booths was the one main reason for the overall revenue downturn! I actually noticed hundreds of angry NH residents from southern NH that were backing up, and/or making a U-turn out on Rt 93 just before the toll booths once they learned that what used to cost them 37 1/2 cents had been doubled up to 75 cents. Off they went west to Vermont, which can be accessed toll-free. The long stretch of hot, rainy and humid weather from May 15 thru August 7, and $2.92 gasoline had absolutely nothing to do with the revenue downturn!

08-23-2006, 05:39 AM	#4
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	no lower crowds here, don't bother coming up, we're full. I know that gas is only slightly higher then last year, but thats slightly higher then the year before, and so on and so on, and its keeping me home more. Its also not been the warmest summer. I heard another report on local radio last night that indicated gas and rental prices were effecting tourism up here. I bet the slow Saturday mets3007 saw has more to do with less local kids hanging out here then they used to (gas again?). But if we look at the big picture, and I like the 5 year trend too, how much disposible cash that people had 5 years ago is going to a morgage? How much has gas gone up? Rental prices? Changes to boating laws? It looks like a downturn, but I'd bet its also a short lived downturn that we'd better take advantage of while we can. __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

08-23-2006, 07:43 AM	#5
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	lower revenues From today's Citizen http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...142/-1/CITIZEN Looks like there is at least some effect of higher gas prices meaning fewer visitors. SteveA __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

08-23-2006, 07:47 AM	#6
SAUGUS BOATER Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Saugus Massachusetts Posts: 84 Thanks: 14 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	37 1/2 Cents are people really driving the extra 80 +/- miles to the Peoples Republic Of Vermont just to avoid an extra 37 1/2 cents at the hookset toll ? Talk about stingy !!

08-23-2006, 08:10 AM	#7
WeirsGuard Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts	Less Crowded Weirs Have been to the Weirs on a couple of Sat nights this year just to check the place out for old times sake. The crowds are certainly down this year and I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact the Weirs is just getting "old"? The same arcades, junk food, and trashy gift stores. Like JRC said, tastes change and perhaps this is a factor. Also, the Weirs has always been a "blue collar" family destination. Even in the era of condos, McMansions and big boats a day at the beach and a night on the Boardwalk were within reach. Now consider the price of gas, increased motel rates etc.and even the Weirs becomes less affordable. As someone who spent all their summers at the Weirs while growing up I,ve come to the opinion that the Weirs will continue to deteriorate (ala Hampton/Salsbury Beach) or will be slowly gobbled up and turned into Meredith South. But perhaps that is for another thread.

08-22-2006, 10:23 PM	#1
mets3007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 170 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I just came back from the Weirs area and yes there is less people. The place was a ghost town Saturday and Sunday nite. In the daytime there are people on the boat and train but then at nite they disappear. The hotels are still booked on weekends though, but mid week it was emptier than usual < this is my 18th season up there>.

08-22-2006, 10:45 PM	#2
GusMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 134 Thanks: 1 Thanked 45 Times in 26 Posts	Hi All, Not sure about the overall trend about crowds in the Lakes Region, but I do have some anecdotal evidence. I typically drive up to winnie 4-5 times a year for day trips to fish the big lake (I'm from Massachusetts). I have yet to vist this year, and yes gas prices are at least partly to blame. A trip to winnie towing my bassboat would mean nearly a tank of gas in my truck ($60-70) and depending how much I cruise around the lake (which I LOVE to do while fishing) another $30-40 in boat gas. Instead, I've been fishing local ponds that cost almost nothing to fish ... short drives and small lakes that require very little boat gas. In fact, this is the first year I've used my Massachusetts fishing license outside of ice fishing season. My first trip to winnie this year will be for the Naswa "autumn breeze" special. We did this last year (the Sunday thru Thursday before labor day) and had a great time... we had booked this back in March. We just called to see if we could come in a day early and it was no problem... our cabin was not booked for this weekend..... I was surprised. So... I'm actually looking forward to a somewhat quiet week! Cheers.... Gusman