Posts Tagged ‘New Hampshire’
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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August 13th, 2011 by billwebb
Just a reminder to everyone that starting Wednesday, August 24 and running through Sunday, Sept. 4 the Little Church Theater right here in Holderness will be presenting “On Golden Pond” as the Squam Lake area and all of New Hampshire celebrates the 30th anniversary of the release of the classic film. The play is exceptionally well done and a bonus is that it is being directed by Ernest Thompson, author of the play and the screenwriter for the movie.
The play ran for two weeks earlier this summer and we, as well as a number of guests, were fortunate enough to see it. It’s a great evening of entertainment and each performance is followed by an opportunity for conversation with the author and/or the actors. This truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
Of course, Squam Lake was the setting for the film and the name of our bed and breakfast/Inn is a result.
We still have rooms available for all dates except Labor Day weekend. So call now to reserve!
You'll still find the classic wooden boats on Squam just like in the movie "On Golden Pond."
Tags: bed and breakfast, Holderness, inn, Little Church Theater, New Hampshire, On Golden Pond, 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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July 9th, 2011 by billwebb
This past week we took an afternoon break from the Inn and made a quick trip to Franconia Notch where we had a picnic lunch at Boise Rock. The day was absolutely glorious, mid 70′s, sunny with a slight breeze. The Notch is one of the most scenic spots in New Hampshire and is only about 30 minutes north of our Squam Lake bed and breakfast. It’s wonderful that we can be in the heart of the White Mountains in such a short time since the Holderness/Plymouth area is so central to virtually all of New Hampshire’s attractions! For those who like to hike there are several trails right in Franconia Notch including Lonesome Lake, Mt. Pemigewasset which is the forehead of the famous Indian Head, and Artists Bluff. You will also find the Flume Gorge and the Basin here, both well worth the stop.
Here’s the story as it appears on the historic marker of how Boise Rock got its name.
“Thomas Boise, a noted teamster of this region was sledding through the Notch in mid-winter, soon after the first road was built. Overtaken by a fierce snowstorm, he was unable to continue on. Realizing he must take drastic action to survive, he killed and skinned his horse. Crawling under the overhang of this rock, he wrapped himself in the hide and spent the night.
Men sent out the next day to search for him found Tom still alive but encased in the frozen hide that had to be cut away with axes in order to release him.”
The view from our picnic table at Boise Rock
Tags: Artist's Bluff, Basin, bed and breakfast, Boise Rock, Flume Gorge, Franconia Notch, Holderness, Indian Head, inn, New Hampshire, Squam Lake
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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 13th, 2011 by billwebb
If you’re looking for some musical entertainment in a fun and unique venue you should check out the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH near the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. This a wonderful outdoor facility which features big name artists. It’s conveniently located a half hour from our Squam Lake bed and breakfast. Seats are available under a covered Pavilion or out in the open, including an open lawn area. There is also a restaurant on site if you’d like to include dinner in your plans, although seating is limited and you need to reserve ahead of time.
This summer you can see great shows by performers as varied as Toby Keith and Bob Dylan. Or perhaps you’d like to spend an evening with Chicago or Lady Antebellum. You can catch them all right here in the lakes region.
Why not plan a New Hampshire getaway, treat yourself to a concert and spend a couple of nights in our country inn? Be pampered in one of our spacious, comfortable guestrooms and enjoy a generous home cooked breakfast each morning. If you’re searching for lodging in the Meredith or Gilford area you’ll find we’re just a short distance away and worth the drive.
Bob Dylan will be performing on Aug. 19 and Lady Antebellum on Sept. 4.
Tags: bed and breakfast, Gilford, Holderness, inn, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region, lodging, Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion, Meredith, New Hampshire, 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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April 1st, 2011 by billwebb
New Hampshire’s lakes region is home to two triathlons during the summer months. Both are part of the Ironman 70.3 series.
The first, the Mooseman Triathlon, occurs on June 5 and is held at Newfound Lake which is about 30 minutes from our Squam Lake bed and breakfast. There are two parts of this triathlon. The first is the long distance race which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. There is also an International level triathlon which is a shorter version with a 1.5 mile swim, a 27.25 mile bike ride, and a 6.2 mile run. Either one seems like a challenge to us!
Over the years we have had many participants of these races stay with us. Getting a good night’s rest prior to and after a race like this is an important part of a top notch performance. Our quality lodging is just the answer and since our inn is near the Mooseman Triathlon site on Newfound Lake we’re a natural choice.
The second race, the Timberman Triathlon, is held on August 21 and is located on Lake Winnipesaukee. The starting point is by Ellacoya State Park which is also about 30 minutes from the Inn On Golden Pond. This event features two races. The first, a long distance race the same as the Mooseman race. The second is a Sprint which has a .3 mile swim, a 15 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run. We’re getting closer to our level.
We always enjoy sharing the weekend with these wonderful athletes who train so hard and push themselves to conquer challenges most of us wouldn’t consider. So if you’re looking for comfortable, quality lodging near the Mooseman or Timberman Triathlons we have just the accommodations for you. Check out our spacious guest rooms and plan to make your participation in either of these New Hampshire triathlons a reason for a great getaway weekend as well.
Here’s a link to a clip from YouTube which shows that the Timberman Triathlon is much more than just a race!
watch?v=TVNAJwD5YEk
Tags: bed and breakfast, getaway weekend, Lake Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region, Mooseman Triathlon, New Hampshire, Newfound Lake, quality lodging, Squam Lake, Timberman Triathlon
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March 3rd, 2011 by billwebb
It’s maple syrup season here in the lakes region of New Hampshire which is one of our favorite times of the year. This process is so fascinating and such a wonderful tradition that we always look forward to it. From the serious producers to the neighbors who simply hang old milk bottle on their maple trees everyone has a lot of fun. Our New Hampshire bed and breakfast is a great place to stay for a couple of days and venture out to several sugar shacks in the area. One year we tapped our own trees and produced some Inn On Golden Pond maple syrup. Attached is a description of maple season which is taken from the NH Maple Producers website. Who could describe it better?
“Each year, the New Hampshire maple industry produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup. Maple sugaring time in New Hampshire runs from mid-February to mid-April.
As the frozen sap in the maple tree thaws, it begins to move and build up pressure within the tree. When the internal pressure reaches a certain point, sap will flow from any fresh wound in the tree. Freezing nights and warm sunny days create the pressure needed for a good sap Harvest.
In late February, New Hampshire maple producers tap their sugar maples by drilling a small hole in the trunk and inserting a spout. A bucket or plastic tubing is fastened to the spout and the crystal clear sap drips from the tree. It is then collected and transported to the sugar house where it is boiled down in an evaporator over a blazing hot fire. As the steam rises from the evaporator pans, the sap becomes more concentrated until it finally reaches the proper density to be classified as syrup. It is then drawn from the evaporator, filtered, graded and bottled. It takes approximately forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of pure maple syrup.
Maple syrup is made in the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada, and the maple season usually lasts 4-6 weeks. The days and length of the sap runs depend entirely on the weather.
We hope you will visit a sugar house during the maple season and learn for yourself just how this ancient tradition is carried on. New Hampshire’s maple producers take great pride in the high quality of their maple products. Many sugar houses are open throughout the year, selling their pure maple delicacies.”
Buckets to collect sap Yummmm! It’s boiling time!
Tags: B&B, bed and breakfast, Lakes Region, maple syrup, New Hampshire
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February 10th, 2011 by billwebb
We have a new addition to our area recreational scene. The new Plymouth State University ice arena is a state of the art facility and appears to be the first all “green” arena in the country. Everything from the geothermal refrigeration and heating system to the lighting was designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
The arena is home to the Plymouth State’s men’s hockey team and women’s hockey team, but also offers programs to the general public including open skate sessions, youth hockey, broomball, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play-hockey sessions. It’s a gem for the area!
When you come to the Inn On Golden Pond for comfortable lodging in the Plymouth NH area you can now bring your ice skates and get out on the ice during public skate sessions all year round. Just click here to see the public skating schedule.
Artist’s rendition of the new PSU ice arena
Tags: B&B, hockey, Holderness, ice skating, lodging, New Hampshire, Plymouth, Plymouth State University
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Black Bear around Squam Lake New Hampshire
Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley – Great New Hampshire Skiing
P.O. Box 680 | Route 3