Archive for the ‘New Hampshire’ Category
April 13th, 2013 by billwebb
As Spring creeps into the New Hampshire’s lakes region our animal friends begin to make themselves more apparent. Generally, in March we are visited frequently by deer who have shown a particular fondness for our yew bushes. We assume that following months of slim pickings deep in the woods they’re ready for some luscious greens more readily accessible now that the snow has largely melted away. For some reason our neighborhood deer didn’t show up this March, so we’ll wait for the summer to see if the patterns have really changed or if perhaps they found a better menu elsewhere.
This is the time we start taking our bird feeders in at night to avoid losing them to the recently awakened and currently hungry black bears. Seeing a black bear lumbering through the yard is always an exciting moment – more or less exciting depending on whether we’re inside or outside at the time they decide to appear!
It’s estimated that there are close to 5,000 black bear in New Hampshire. Females weigh in at 125-150 lbs with males being larger, in the 200 – 250 lb. range. They cover a lot of ground as they forage for food. Females usually have a territory of about 10 square miles, but males can range up to 120 square miles. With all that walking no wonder they’re so hungry! They’re not aggressive, in fact they tend to be skittish around humans, but like all wild animals they can be dangerous. This is especially true when a mother is still in a protective mode with cubs. So when we see bear we watch with respect and appreciate being able to witness some of the wonderful wildlife all around us. Our guests who miss the opportunity to see bear in the wild can see them at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center located just down the street.
Certainly seeing black bear in our yard is not a daily occurrence, but we’ve seen them at all times of the day including during our breakfast hour. Always a thrill we’re happy to share with our guests!
Tags: black bear, New Hampshire, Squam Lake, wildlife
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February 9th, 2013 by billwebb
Our best snow of the season has arrived in central New Hampshire! A foot of light powder is just what the skiers ordered and it comes at a great time as we head into President’s Day week and school vacations.
This weekend we have guests at our New Hampshire bed and breakfast who are tubing at Loon Mountain, skiing at Waterville Valley and dog sled riding with Barking Brook Kennels. And one of our guests is participating in the Fishing Derby sponsored by the Meredith Rotary Club. Quite a mix of activities.
While we have guests with a variety of interests they all agree that starting their day with one of our country breakfasts and landing back in one of our cozy rooms is the best way to start and end a day.
It goes to show that Holderness and the Squam Lake area are not just summer destinations. The Inn On Golden Pond is open year round and we can help you plan a day full of fun anytime of the year. Whether you’re planning activities in Lincoln, NH or Meredith NH, on Lake Winnipesaukee or Squam Lake, on Loon Mountain or Mount Tecumsah, if you’re looking for quality accommodations we’ve got you covered.
A great shot from Loon Mountain’s website
Tags: dog sled rides, Holderness, Lincoln, Loon Mountain, Meredith, NH, skiing, snow tubing, Squam Lake, Waterville Valley
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September 22nd, 2012 by billwebb
Fall is absolutely the best season in New Hampshire. The days are sunny and dry. The nights are cool (sometimes cold) and the air is crisp. But above all else the colors are tremendous. Guests at our Holderness B&B often ask why the leaves change color.
During the spring and summer the leaves manufacture most of the foods necessary for the tree’s growth. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. This extraordinary chemical absorbs from sunlight the energy that is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.
Along with the green pigment there are yellow and orange pigments in the leaf, but most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring.
In the fall as the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler the leaves stop making the food, anticipating the upcoming winter and dormant season. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears and the yellow and orange colors become dominant. These pigments mix to create vibrant reds as well as the sharp yellows and oranges.
Old timers will tell you that the brilliance of fall foliage depends on factors like how much rain we’ve had or how hot or cold the summer was. Undoubtedly these factors enter into the mix, but every year is different. The one thing that remains constant is the timing. It always happens in the fall when the days get shorter. It’s Mother Nature’s way of signalling the passing from summer to winter.
The Squam Lake area and the rest of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region will be ablaze with these colors soon. This would be a perfect time to spend a few days at the Inn On Golden Pond where you can enjoy luxurious lodging each night and the spectacular countryside filled with fall colors each day.
Fall at Squam Lake
On the grounds of the Inn On Golden Pond
Tags: B&B, fall foliage, Holderness, Lakes Region, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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August 25th, 2012 by billwebb
There are a number of agricultural fairs coming up in the next few weeks throughout New Hampshire. These fairs are a great tradition and feature entertainment for the entire family. Events range from oxen pulls to apple pie contests. Most fairs have live entertainment and amusement rides. You’ll find livestock exhibits with cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and more. And there are exhibits featuring home made baked and canned goods as well as home grown fruits, vegetables and flowers.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the original owners of the home that is now the Inn On Golden Pond participated in some of these fairs in their early years. Some date back 140 years. While we don’t raise any livestock or produce vegetables worthy of showing at a fair we do provide a quality lodging experience by Squam Lake in the heart of New Hampshire’s lakes region. Why not spend a few relaxing days at our Holderness bed and breakfast and enjoy one of New Hampshire’s longest traditions by attending one of the following fairs.
Lancaster Fair 8/29 – 9/3
Hopkinton State Fair 8/30 – 9/3
Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair 9/7 – 9/9
Rochester Fair 9/14 – 9/23
Deerfield Fair 9/27 – 9/30
Sandwich Fair 10/6 – 10/8
Enjoy the rides and the food at the New Hampshire State Fairs
Tags: bed and breakfast, Holderness, NH State Fairs, quality lodging, Squam
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June 5th, 2012 by billwebb
This past weekend we completed our annual trek to the most northern part of New Hampshire to look for moose. Even though we only get to do this about once a year it’s one of our favorite New Hampshire activities.
We start out late afternoon heading north to Pittsburg, the last town in New Hampshire before you pass into Canada. There’s a wonderful stretch along Route 3 there known as Moose Alley. Provided we arrive at about dusk we have always seen moose. And seeing moose never gets old! This year we saw only one moose before it got too dark to continue our search, but one was enough to keep our record intact.
Pittsburg is about 2 hours north of the Inn On Golden Pond. It’s an easy and pretty drive through some of the most rural sections of New Hampshire. Since we need to arrive around dusk (the moose don’t seem to be out before then) and we leave after darkness sets in we are able to make the trip and be home in about 6 hours. If we travel at a more leisurely pace and stop for dinner it stretches to about 7 hours or so. It’s well worth it!
Guests at our bed and breakfast don’t have to go all the way to Pittsburg to see moose. Closer by in Lincoln, which is only a half hour north, there is a moose tour which goes out most evenings from spring to early fall. The tour guide there works hard to be sure everyone sees a moose. They see moose on just about every tour. Of course, if you’re lucky you’ll get to see a moose right in our backyard. We’ve had sightings during breakfast several times.
So whether you decide to head way up north or stick a little closer moose searching is a special activity waiting for you here in New Hampshire. Check out our “Specials & Packages” page for a Moose Tour package.
Tags: bed and breakfast, moose, New Hampshire, Pittsburg, wildlife
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August 30th, 2011 by billwebb
As we get to the end of August the days are cooling down slightly and the evenings are definitely cooling down. It’s a great time of the summer, but as the days get shorter we realize fall is just around the corner.
Fall is our favorite time On Golden Pond. Now is the time to be thinking about booking an October visit to our Holderness B&B. The area surrounding Squam Lake and throughout the White Mountains will be ablaze with color. Reds, yellows, oranges… Mother Nature’s true art work is on display with the beautiful trees everywhere in the northeast.
Of course, what better way to enjoy the fall beauty than by spending a few days at a country inn/bed and breakfast. Experience our exceptional New Hampshire lodging where you’ll be pampered in our comfortable, spacious guest rooms and in the morning with our full country breakfast. Spend the days driving through the mountains or hiking the numerous trails in the Squam Range or the White Mountains.
And fall is also a great time to be on Squam Lake or Lake Winnipesaukee. Plan to include a boat tour on either lake during your visit.
Tags: B&B, bed and breakfats, country inn, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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July 17th, 2011 by billwebb
If you plan to visit Ashland, NH you’ll find that our Squam Lake bed and breakfast is close by. We offer quality lodging which is only 2 miles from downtown Ashland. Right off Interstate 93, Ashland lays claim to being the exact geographic center of New Hampshire which means we are close to virtually all of New Hampshire’s major attractions as well as the White Mountains. So whether you want to enjoy the lakes in the summer or ski the slopes in the winter this is the place to be.
Here’s a short history of Ashland as it appears in Wikipedia.
“Ashland was once the southwestern corner of Holderness, chartered in 1751 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. But hostilities during the French and Indian War delayed settlement, and in 1761, it was regranted as New Holderness (although “New” would be dropped in 1816). Settled in 1763, the town was predominantly agricultural except for Holderness Village on the Squam River, with falls that drop about 112 feet (34 m) before meeting the Pemigewasset River. The falls provided water power for mills, and in 1770-1771, a sawmill and gristmill were built. The Squam Lake Woolen Mill was established in 1840. Goods manufactured at local factories included hosiery, gloves, sporting equipment, wood products and paper.
The Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad entered in 1849, carrying freight but also tourists bound for hotels on the Squam Lakes, to which they traveled by steamer up the Squam River. The interests of the industrialized settlement increasingly diverged from those of the farming community, however, and in 1868 Holderness Village was set off as Ashland, named for Ashland, the Kentucky estate of Henry Clay. The last textile mill, the L.W. Packard Company, would close in 2002, and Ashland is today a residential and resort community.”
An old grist mill (now an office building) and a covered bridge are two great sites in Ashland.
Tags: Ashland, B&B, bed and breakfast, Holderness, lodging, New Hampshire, Squam Lake, White Mountains
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June 22nd, 2011 by billwebb
August 5 – 8 will be a special weekend in the town of Holderness as it celebrates its 250th birthday. There are lots of activities planned ranging from a grand parade to a pancake breakfast hosted by our local fire department.
A group of wonderful volunteers has been planning the event for months and they’ve thought of everything. At various times throughout the weekend there will be a folk concert, a street dance and a square/contra dance. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will be offering free admission and the Historical Society will be the scene of many activities. There will be an appearance by the nationally famous Mattatuck Fife and Drum Band and lots of historic re-enactments and self guided tours of historic sites. You can get more details and updates at the Holderness 250th website.
If you’re planning to be in the Plymouth, NH or Meredith, NH area that weekend you should definitely make a point of visiting Holderness at some point. A celebration like this really represents small town New Hampshire at its best.
Of course, beautiful Squam Lake is a great place to visit anytime. Check out the quality lodging we offer at our lakes region bed and breakfast/country inn. We’ll help make your visit to Squam a memorable one.
We're not 250 years old, but here's a picture from the early days of the building we now call The Inn On Golden Pond. Time and lots of tender loving care sure makes a difference!
Tags: 250th anniversary, bed and breakfast, country inn, Holderness, inn, lodging, Meredith, New Hampshire, Plymouth, Squam Lake
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June 2nd, 2011 by billwebb
The Lilac season is just about over throughout New Hampshire and the beautiful purple blossoms with their wonderful fragrance will be but a memory for another year. The purple Lilac was named New Hampshire’s state flower in 1919 and the bushes can be found in all parts of the state. We have a couple of bushes here at our Squam Lake inn and as usual they produced numerous flowers. The season seemed a bit short which was probably due to the rain and drizzle we had just as things were blooming. The wet weather caused many blossoms to turn brown rather quickly.
The Governor’s Lilac and Wildflower Commission sponsors a photo contest each year. Check out their website to see the winners from 2010.
Throughout the summer season the New Hampshire landscape will be dotted by numerous wildflowers. If you visit our lakes region bed and breakfast we can help you plan a great day trip which will take you on some of our back roads where you’ll be sure to see the colorful displays. We’ll provide the luxury lodging here in Holderness, mother nature will provide the luxurious scenery throughout your visit.
Tags: bed and breakfast, Holderness, inn, Lakes Region, lilacs, luxury lodging, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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December 3rd, 2010 by billwebb
The ski season has started here in central New Hampshire. Loon Mountain, Cannon Mountain and Waterville Valley are all open and satisfying the desires of those skiers who’ve been waiting for the new season to start ever since last season ended. These three mountains are about 30 minutes from our Holderness/Plymouth area bed and breakfast. So if you stay for a weekend or a few days midweek you can ski a different mountain each day.
There’s new ownership at Waterville Valley with indications there will be many upgrades and improvements. At Cannon Mountain there’s been some expansion with the addition of Mittersill ski area and some new lifts. It’s great to see the industry continuing to add new features all the time.
Cross country skiing will start up later this month assuming Mother Nature provides us with some natural snow. Temperatures are cold enough so it shouldn’t be too long. We are cross country skiers and one of the things we like to do is return to the Inn at the end of the day and curl up next to a crackling fire in the sitting room. Add a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate and you feel like you’ve found your little piece of heaven! Of course, besides the inviting fire our guests get a great breakfast to start their day and the opportunity to retreat to a cozy guest room when all is said and done making for the perfect New Hampshire getaway weekend.
So if you’re going to ski NH and are looking for quality lodging give us a call.
Skiers enjoying the slopes at Waterville Valley
Tags: B&B, Cannon Mountain, cross country skiing, getaway weekend, Holderness, inn, Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, Plymouth, quality lodging, ski NH, Waterville Valley
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P.O. Box 680 | Route 3