The Portland daily press., 1870-07-11
STEAMER CHoCORUA,

ne insists upon so considering it, may find
himself in very awkward position.
STEAMER CHoCoRUA,
LAKE WINN1PIssEOGEE, N. H. :.
July 9TH, 1870.
To The Editor of the Press:
The heated term of last month was timely
warning for the weary denizens of throng be-
seiged cities aud towns, to prepare for can or
ward movement" into the.country to the noun
tiins or the seaside. The two great primal
necessities requisite for those attractive places,
allowing truism, are money and time. We
think we hear some one remark show wsew
Yet, after all general experience about this time
is corroborative of this great fact.
We had heard much about the beautiful
Lake Winnipiseogee, and concluded that this
season we would make the trip.
The hubbub and confusion of the 4lh, only
the more made us long to clear our skirts of
home and bask in the inspiration and grandeur
of this lovely locality. Poets have sang enrap-
tured with its beauty and enchantment, and
orators grown eloquent in its praise, yet expe-
rience outdoes them ALL and pronounces the
Lake, "the priceless gem upon the bosom of
the Granite State
The business-tied merchant and clerk, who
can only spare one day, can make the trip and
"see the sights" leaving Portland at 615 A. NJ
arriving at Dover at A. M, Alton Bay, the
south eastern terminus of the Lake, at II 10
A. M.
Jumping from the cars, a few steps brings
you aboard the fine steamer Chocorua, Capt.
A. Wiggin. The day we came up, a large par
ty of Bostonians and New Workers were aboard
besides one or two excursion parties-a varied
but happy crowd fashion and independence,
formality and fun. The merry laughter OF the
frolicsome youths rang out upon the lake air,
with joyous peals, and woke the mountain
spirits from their wild recleuse. The staid ma
tron with the presence of decorum upon. her
countenance, and self-consequence in every
motion, and word was strange contrast to the
free and unconventionalized young ladies of
the other parties. By the way, talk of trunks,
one would suppose that A. Il. Stewart had
moved his mammoth palatal dry goods struc-
ture aboard, so huge was "the wardrobe box
of one exquisite city dame.
The bell rings, and the steamer is off and we
wave adicus to our friends on the Winnipi-
seogee House piazza and balcony near by, who
remain at Alton Bay for few days fishing
Mr.. j. Fl. Downing, the proprietor, is an expe-
rienced host and is one of the few who can
"keep hotel" Mount Belknap is a fine spot
to visit and is only few miles from the Lake
The day was perfect, the sun just warm
enough, and beautiful west breeze was blow
ing fresh and invigorating The air was clear
and the views splendid.
Leaving the long and narrow Merry meeting
Bay, we are then upon the magnificent waters
of the Lake ITSELF As with magic wand,
charming expanse of lake, with mountain
ranges, nearly encircling the whole outline
bursts upon your view. Charmed by the scene
we are reminded by well known poets lines:
80, silent hills across the lake,
Asleep in moonlight, or awake
To catch the color OF the sky
That shifts through every cloud swept by;
How beautiful We are, in change
Of sultry haze and storm light strange!
How dream-like rest We on the bar
Ihat parts the billOw from the start
i how blend your mists with waters clear.
Ill earth h0ats of and Heaven seems near!
Ye faint and fade-a pearly zone
The c0ast-li of a land unknown.
Yet that is sun-burnt Osspee,
Plunged knee-deep in the limped sea;
Somewhere, among these grouping isles,
Old White Face from his cl0ud-cap smiles,
And gray Ch0corua bends his crown
10 look on happy ham.ets down;
Anu every pass and mountain slope,
Leads ort and on some human hope"
The most prosy of mortals gin the mind"
makes music and poetry amid the enchantlnent
of Lake Winnipiseogee.
AS we approach Wollboro 10 miles from AL
ton Bay, we enter upon the broadcast part of
tha Lake Wn1fhara 10 n ~; fb,,cx,
and is capitally situated, the main street run
ming through the village, over commanding
sites. Fresh breezes ever blow from the lake
and northwest. 1t is an open, pleasant place
and has become one of the most popular resorts
in New England. The Pavilion Hotel, occu-
pies "an eminent position" both in site, size,
and success being one of the largest and best
kept houses in the State.
Leaving Wolfboro, and rounding Tuftonboro
Point, we soon enter upon the most attractive
portion of this Finland sea-" A few miles
further we are enable to grasp on one broad
view, one of the finest ranges of scenery posi-
BILE. At the extreme near right, are the Ossipee
and Sandwich Mountains, further off, and next
comes Chocorua and Kearsarge, the peak of
Mt Washington, smiles and miles and many
miles away peeping in tantalizing sportive-
ness between the nearer mountains. In front,
near by looms up Red Hill near Center Har-
Dor. At the extreme left on the Clifford Noun
tains, next, the far off Monadnock and Kear-
sarge, No. 2, the Franconia range of the White
Mountains at the extreme left, front, complet-
ing the circle, Mounts Lafayette and Profile,
being the most known. With such view be-
fore you and such a charming sail upon such a
lake, all within six hours of Portland, every
one ought to spare just one day at least and
make the trip.
We arrive at LIS p. M. at Center Harbor,
which nestles costly at the base of Red Hill
and other hills, with its picturesque street
Forest Avenue. The Senter House fronts the
lake and forms the attraction of the view. 1t
is most excellent hostelrie, and for years has
been crowded every summer, the season
through.
The steamer Lady of the Lake, of the Boston
Concord and Montreal Line passes us, coming
f1om Center HarbOr as we go in. The Lady
runs to the Weirs 10 miles, and then across to
Wolfboro, where she lies over night. She
touches at Diamond Island four times daily.
"Homeward bound we returned on the
steamer Chocorua to Alton Boy, arriving at
3.45 p. NJ. taking the cars for Dover, arriving
at latter place at p. NJ. Some of the party
chose to remain in Dover over night and re-
turn the next day-taking rooms at the New
Hampshire House, Ansel Tucker, proprietor
Mr.. Tucker needs no introduction, he is well
known in the Casco city as an old resident and
here as a fine host. The drives about Dover
are very pleasant in summer and that to Dover
Point 5 IL miles, is especially attractive
Dover is looking up, increasing in good looks
new buildings and general prosperity.
We could not leave for Portland again, with
| out one more parting look at Lake Winnipi
| seogee, and SO we made another trip back t.
the "Smile of the Great Spirit" and here We
are revealing in its grandeur and inspiration
for one day more. Capt. Wiggin of the Che
corua, is very attentive and gives tourists ever,
information in the most agreeable way. Thu
conductors in whose charge we have been since
leaving Portland. on the p. S. & p, and B. s
Me-, and the Dover & w. branch, have al
ways are.
We shall return home on the next train, ant
try and induce every one to follow in Ou
tracks, in this respect certainly-a Lake Win
nipseogee trip.
The 855 A. M. train for Portland arrive
IN Dover at 1866 A. nj. The cars leave Dove
ior the Lake, at 24O p. M. You can hav'
tnree hours and half to "dine, drive and do
Dover In, and pleasant place lit ia. Yor