A new event this year was a Chapter outing on Squam Lake. As we trailered our boats to the public launch ramp at Squam Lake, we travelled through mists and fog. Was this a harbinger of a good day or one we would have to abort? As luck would have it, when we reached Squam Lake, the skies cleared and we were off for a fine day of boating.

 

Our hosts for this event were Tish and Roger Hamblin. Roger met us at the Squam Channel in his Lyman outboard. He drove from the other side of the lake to meet us. I noticed he was wearing a vest and wondered if we were to have cool weather. However, since he had left before 9 AM, he was just prepared. Roger said, "The drive to the Channel was really special. Only fishing boats kept me company. It was magical."

 

After launching on an excellent ramp, we were able to park our vehicles and trailers in the public lot that had plenty of room at this time of day. Hovering near the ramp, we waited until all boats were launched. From there, we moved slowly from the Channel to Squam Lake.

 

Indeed the setting was special. We toured the North Shore and went into many coves and bays. Because of the inlets and numerous islands on the lake, the water was flat and calm. Loons were abundant and the fog over the hills made me feel as if I were in a fairyland.

Early on Saturday morning, we saw several kayakers and swimmers. As the day progressed, we saw groups of swimmers preparing to jump off ledges in one of the coves. When we passed there were only a couple of canoes paddling near the ledge. Roger told us that as the day progressed, you could expect many more boats and swimmers preparing to dive.

 

Unique to Squam is Church Island. Surrounded by many docks, people come to the island for Sunday services. A white cross marks the island. One of our members, Van Adriance is responsible for maintaining the landscaping and docks. He invited us to stop and tour the island but we had already passed. Next time.

 

After a tour of the North Shore, we stopped at Roger's and Tish's boat house for a swim and lunch. Luckily there was sufficient space for us to dock our boats so no one needed to anchor and swim for the dock. The water was crystal clear and several of us took advantage of the diving board and had a swim.

A picnic lunch was enjoyed by all and then, another swim. Returning to the launch site, Roger and Tish led us in their recently restored Chris-Craft Holiday named Magic. Like the day, Magic rode through the water as if by "magic". On our tour, we saw several historical homes and camps. There is no commercial development on Squam and most of the houses are barely visible as they blend perfectly into the landscape. And, of course, we passed by the "On Golden Pond" house, but thirty years after the movie was made, the foliage pretty much obscured much of a view.

 

While we saw many more boaters on the Lake on this Saturday afternoon, it was still relatively easy going. After saying good-bye to Tish and Roger as we entered the Channel, a few of us continued into Little Squam Lake and made a short tour on our own.

 

Next year, we hope to continue the tradition of outings on local lakes. Look for more information in forthcoming issues of the Cutwater and on our web site necacbs.org.           

 

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