Day Tripping

Nostalgia Saturday Drive

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

When the pandemic forced closures back in March, one of my first thoughts was, “How am I going to day trip?” I love to take out-of-the-way drives and find unusual places and interesting people. It makes for good story material, but best of all, it is what makes the Lakes Region such a fun place to live.

Without the ability to stop at flea markets, little backwoods shops and now and then, a great old-fashioned diner or ice cream shack, I thought my day tripping adventures/column was shot to pieces for a while. 

Yet, upon giving it some thought, I realized one does not need to always get out of the car and talk to a lot of people. Sometimes all you need to do is get in the car and drive, seeing some fun places along the roads.

On a recent Saturday drive with no specific destination in mind, I found some places to share. I have been to these places before and as fate would have it, revisiting – even if just from the front seat of my car – evoked nostalgia. None of these places requires you to actually get out of the car and/or mingle around groups of people (but if you choose to do so, be thoughtful and wear a mask and stay at least six feet from others).

I started my day trip on a rather chilly, windy but very sunny first Saturday in May. I headed from Gilford and Laconia and then took Rt. 106 toward Meredith. I took a left onto Meredith Center Road and noticed, for the first time, leaves budding on the trees. Spring was really springing on this warm day, and as always, it changed the landscape from bare ground/brown to a lighter hue with luscious green here and there. 

Turning onto Rt. 104 in Meredith Center, I headed towards the Newfound/Bristol area with the idea of taking a drive around Newfound Lake. I grew up in Bristol and like to return now and then to visit relatives or spend a summertime day at Welllington State Park. But on this day, I just wanted to see the lake and enjoy the warmer weather. 

If things had not been shut because of the pandemic, I would have stopped at the Minot Sleeper Library in downtown Bristol, which is a favorite of mine. It is a wonderful little building, built around 1885 (with an addition to the original structure in recent years). Information at www.minotsleeperlibrary.org tells us, “On January 16, 1884, the town of Bristol voted to accept the gift of a library building and land from Josiah Minot and Solomon Sleeper and to manage and maintain a public library. The Minot-Sleeper Library became the first building erected to specifically house a public library in the Lakes Region at the time, when it was officially opened to the community in 1885.” The building has some really beautiful architectural features, such as the windows and beautiful interior woodwork; once things open up again, it is worth a visit.

I headed on Lake Street towards Newfound Lake, passing the former Millstream ice cream spot. These days, the area is the site of some picnic tables and an information area. There is a pedestrian bridge as well, and nice views of the nearby Newfound River, making it a relaxing place to stop for a picnic or snack or to take a little walk on a warm day.

Continuing on Lake Street, I was soon at an area commonly known as the “foot of Newfound Lake.” Here, cabins and the beach mark (unofficially), the beginning of the lake. I headed on past the Inn on Newfound Lake (Mayhew Turnpike) and decided to take a left-hand turn onto North Shore Road in the Hebron area.

While one might assume there isn’t much in the “village” of Hebron, that would be an incorrect assumption. The drive will take you past some really nice views of Newfound Lake (including glimpses of a not-too-far-away island with one cottage, often seen in photographs extolling the beauty of the area) and the entrance to the Newfound Audubon Center. I didn’t stop at the Center, knowing it would likely be closed for now, but not far from there, I did make a stop at the Grey Rocks Conservation area, also on North Shore Road.

There is a large parking area and a sign with information on the various trails. The area is maintained and owned by the Newfound Lake Region Association and they have done a marvelous job conserving and offering a lot to the public at this special place.

If you like to hike, but don’t want a mountainous, long path, this is a great place to take a walk/gentle hike. I parked my car and took a flat, well-maintained path along the cove area. There are plenty of strategically placed benches for those who want to sit and take in the scenery or rest, but I headed on the path, and enjoyed being near the lake and in the woods. Paths/trails are clearly marked, offering a great way to enjoy an hour. 

Grey Rocks is also the place where the Eco Boat Tours launch in the summer months. I took the tour for a Laker story a few years ago and had a thoroughly wonderful time on Newfound Lake. If you are interested in taking a boat tour, call the Association for the latest updates on COVID-19 restrictions at 603-744-8689 or visit www.newfoundlake.org.

Back on North Shore Road, I was soon in the village of Hebron. There is a town green and a gazebo, as well as a charming little library (again, not open at this time) as well as the Hebron Village Store, where one can stop for a snack, drinks, and groceries. 

I next headed on West Shore Road just because I like the view of the amazing ledges at this area of the lake. I can recall, as a kid, taking a Sunday drive around this area. My mother, who hated deep water and heights, would shut her eyes tight until we were well past the ledges area. Why? Because the road, which twists and is narrow, has the lake not far from the road on one side and the cliffs and rocks on the other. Legend has it, this is the deepest part of the lake, and is almost bottomless (probably just a myth). The area is fun to drive but take it slow because this is not a road for speed!

I completed my Newfound Lake tour and headed from Bristol to Franklin on Rt. 3A (from the downtown area). This route was once the main thoroughfare between points south and north, but is less well traveled because Interstate 93 gives a quicker route. I grew up not far from Rt. 3A and can recall the steady stream of traffic. It brought back many memories when I drove by the former Giles Dairy Bar on Rt. 3A (Franklin). Across the road was once a wonderful dairy bar with tasty ice cream; it lices on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to enjoy a treat there on a hot summer’s day.

On Rt. 3A, watch for a left-hand turn to a parking area with picnic tables. This is a look-off area for the Franklin Falls Dam. It is an amazing view of the mammoth dam and the wide Pemigewasset River. For further information on the dam, and the many hiking trails on the property (across the Pemigewasset River), visit https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/.

I continued my drive and took a left-hand turn onto Central Street and on through town towards Tilton. I decided my last stop would be the marvelous Tilton Arch. Although I have written about the Arch for the Laker in the past, it is worth a mention here. It is hard to miss the hulking Arch, which sits on a rise overlooking the area. Many years ago, it was the project of one wealthy man – Mr. Charles Tilton. The story goes that Mr. Tilton had the arch built in adjacent Northfield, with the idea of his final resting place being a huge stone tomb (under the arch). For reasons best left to a longer story, Mr. Tilton was never placed in the tomb upon his death. (He was buried elsewhere in the town of Tilton.) The amazing Arch remains and it is a great place for photos or to simply sit in the sunshine on the grass. Reach the Arch by traveling through Tilton to 9 Summer Street in Northfield.

The afternoon drive brought back a lot of memories and provided me with some fun photos. I did not get out of my car for any length of time and indeed, one could do the entire drive and never leave a vehicle. 

I wanted to affirm to myself that a day trip adventure was still possible, amid the virus restrictions. Luckily, that proved to be the case.