Greetings from Lake Winnipesaukee

I’m spending a girls’ weekend in New England, in the town of Alton, New Hampshire, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Nearby is the town of Wolfeboro which bills itself as “The Oldest Resort in America.” I have not been to this part of the country before, but it is easy to see why people have been vacationing here for 200+ years.

Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire, is nestled in the mountains and sits 500 feet above sea level in Central New Hampshire. It is surrounded by heavily wooded hills dotted with colorful cottages and grand vacation homes. The weather is mild and pleasant. Although we’ve gotten some cool weather and clouds today, yesterday, our first day here, was picture-perfect: the sun was shining, the lake was calm and blue, and a gentle breeze stirred the satisfying 75-degree air.

We’re staying at our friend’s three-story vacation home, which is built into the side of a hill at the edge of Alton Bay. Their home is situated next to a quiet country lane on a narrow piece of land that slopes down to their dock and boathouse. It is a charming blue and white cottage with sweeping views of the lake and surrounding green hills. A deck runs along the back of the house, creating a spectacular setting for dining alfresco. Inside, the house is decorated in cheerful shades of blue, yellow and tangerine with whimsical aquatic-themed accents. A trio of glass fish hangs in a window and catches the sunlight; a miniature, gabled birdhouse decorates another spot. The fireplace mantel is studded with colored-glass stones and sparkly shells. It is to this happy and serene place that we have escaped for a few days.

We are enjoying what I think of as the quintessential summer weekend-by-the-lake in New England. We are doing essentially the same things that I imagine those well-heeled vacationers of two centuries ago must have done. We take morning walks on the winding country lane; mind you, these are not leisurely strolls: the rolling terrain challenges us as it winds up and down through the neighborhood. We go out in our friend's boat for some sight-seeing on the lake and a ride into town (how cool is that, using a boat for transportation instead of just for entertainment?). On the boat, we don our jackets and enjoy the wind in our hair as we motor about, seeing some of the lake’s many islands and glimpsing vacation homes of the rich and famous. In town, we shop in the quaint shops of Wolfeboro and stop for ice cream at a walk-up “dairy bar.” We enjoy browsing the cute gift shops, boutiques and even a wine shop, each full of unique items. Back at our friend's home, we indulge in elegant and leisurely lunches on the deck; we enjoy assorted cheeses, pate and champagne one day and fresh grilled lobster and cool chardonnay the next. In the evenings, we share cooking responsibilities and enjoy good food and great company around the dining room table.

This is a picturesque place with a lot of old-fashioned charm. Everything is updated and modern but it feels as if not much has changed since the resort area first was established. It is simple, refined and authentic. It is about a million miles away from the artificial reality that is Las Vegas.