On and Around the Big Lake

This morning the cottage girls got up and out fairly early for our day out--a boat trip and circumnavigation of the lake.

We arrived at the Big White Boat's home port at The Weirs. I'm holding Sparkle my stuffed lizard and carrying a bag of provisions (bananas and trail mix mostly.)



It was the first sailing of the morning and not a very large crowd. Once we boarded, I saw a group of loons floating past.



Once we set out, we could see blue everywhere--lake, sky, mountains.



Up in the wheelhouse. As we all know, I've had the priviledged to "drive" the boat on the shakedown cruise. The weather was lots warmer today than it is the first week in May.



My friend is relaxing.



It was Family Day on the Mount. There was face painting by a clown. And Monty the Mallard, the ship's mascot, was present. He was peddling his "mini-me."



Treasure Island.



A 30-second video of the ship coming into Wolfeboro. If your audio is enabled, you'll hear the ship's horn.



Wolfeboro Town Docks.



I was scanning the crowd for a man with a camera who might be Ron, but I didn't spot him today. He often photographs at that site.

As we leave Wolfeboro Bay, we encounter the Winnipesaukee Belle, a side-wheel charter boat. (Which sometimes come down our bay and past our dock.)



Sparkle ventures out to admire the view of the Ossipee Mountains in the distance.



Two and a half hours after setting out, we return to the home port. It was the perfect cruise!



We stopped in Meredith to shop at Mills Falls Marketplace, then proceeded to the Loon Center in Moultonboro.

This map showed locations of resident loons.



Loon in flight.



From watching the video, we knew that the loons rotate the egg/s every few hours. We also learned the the first chick to hatch is the dominant one. I already knew that a female loon lays two eggs.



The Moultonboro Country Store is must-stop shopping. Items were purchased, including Christmas gifts.

Returning to Wolfeboro--by land this time instead of by water--we browsed on Maine Street but didn't buy. By then we were starving for our favourite Mexican restaurant.

Where they make the guacamole fresh, at tableside.



Our entrees were spectacular.

We completed our circumnavigation 11 and a half hours after departing, arriving at the cottage just as complete darkness fell. The trip odometer on the car read 62 miles. Actual driving time was 2 hours and 6 miinutes.

We have certainly made the most of our two days of dry, bright weather. Tomorrow it's raining. We might go to a movie. Lobsters for dinner back at the Lodge--yum!