The Portland daily press., 1866-06-06
A Trip for Summer Tourists.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Summer is near at hand and the hegira of
rest-seekers and city leavers will soon COM
mence. The coast of Maine abnunds with sea-
side resorts which are almost innumerable,
from the far-famed beaches of York and Cum
berland counties to the less renowned but yet
no less inviting places "down east" Most of
the families in this vicinity have "done" these
retreats and undoubtedly would like to find
some new or less accustomed spots, where to
ward off the intensity of the summer solstice
and keep coop generally.
The White Mountains, of course, are never
"out of fashion" and, in fact, they are ever
neU, retaining their majestic attraction in spite
of the host of new found beauties elsewhere
springing up.
Lake Winnipisseogee in New Hampshire of
late years has become one of the great favor
ties; in fact the great increase of pleasure
seekers thitherward has been each season per-
ceptible. The lake lies in north westerly and
south easterly line and is en- route to the White
Mountains via the Boston, Concord and Mon
treal and Weirs route and also by the Boston
and Maine and Dover route. The lake is 30
miles in extent, and in the broadcast part 10
miles wide. The shore on either side is re.
markably picturesque and attractive, being
mostly sloping, and covered with small growths
of pine and maple; the water is clear and deep,
and the air which sweeps across the bosom OF
the "Smile of the Great Spirit" is invigorating
and refreshing. The views seen from the steam
ers that ply over its surface, and also from the
different localities in the neighborhood, are
among the most charming, majestic and beau
tiful, we ever witnessed. In the late lamented
Il. StarrKing's elegant book, "The White Hills"
will be found, noble tribute to Lake Winni-
pisseogee. From the steamer that plies between
Welfboro and Center Harbor, can be seen one
of the most enchanting scenes possible; look
ing north, the eye takes in Mt. Washington,
looming up in the far distance. and ON either
side its attendants, Adams, Jefferson, Monroe,
&C., &C.. and graduating almost to the shore of
the Lake is succession of mountains on either
side, comprising the Crawford and Franconia
ranges, the Sandwich, Ossipee, and others.
Wood, lake and mountains are here all blended
in magnificent picture.
Alton Bay Wolfboro and Center Harbor are
the principal places of resort on the Lake.
Alton Bay is the terminus of the Dover and
Winnipisseogee branch ofthe Boston and Maine
road, and is situated at an inlet of the main
lake. The Winnipisseogee House, j. III. Down
ing proprietor, is well kept and commodious
house and is very popular. At Wolfboro, which
Is ten miles from Alton Bay, is reached from
that place by the steamer Chocorua, we find
one oi the most charming and delightful places
ever mans lot to know" The great desirable
ness OF Wolfboro, lies in its elevation from the
Lake. ana the variety of scenery in which it is
located. Within the past few years so fast has
this place grown in favor that the cottages
throughout the village, on the hills esneciallv
overlooking the Lake, are all engaged early in
the spring, and the Pavilion" the hotel there
has within the past year had $4,000 laid out
upon it, enlarging and modernising it. This
season promises to be one of the best for years.
Center Harbor is at the upper end of the
Lake, twenty miles from Wolfboro, and is a
well-known resort. Here it is that the great
stage loads for years have left for Conway and
sui large proportion go cia Center Harbor,
Notwithstanding line of coaches also leaves
Woifboro, the distance to Conway being about
the same either way. The Senter House Of
Center Harbor, kept by Gilman and Huntress
Is one of the best houses ex.ant.
At all three of these places tho v;a,vs 49,
grand, and the objects of interest are pumerous
\ and very interesting,