Ames Brook, NH

We’ve been to Ames Brook Campground before and it’s nice to be back.  The campground is private with decent size sites and full amenities.  There’s a short nature trail along the stream that goes through the property.  Someone made little fairyland display, so cute, check out the video below.

But the main reason for our visit here is to spend time with our dear friend Karen.  And we got the perfect weather week for that!

The area is filled with lakes, with largest being Lake Winnipesaukee. So of course, we got to do some paddling on White Oak Pond and Lake Winona.  White Oak Pond was pretty good size with little islands and coves, though when you look at the map and compare it to Winnipesaukee or Squam Lake, it seems small.  We chatted with Karen, catching up, and paddled around enjoying the sun and the scenery. The are many houses on the shore, some with pontoon boats, and most had kayaks or canoes.

Lake Winona is even smaller, but it does have two islands and even better, it has loon nests.  One area is marked with buoys and had loon nest (I think it’s too late for chicks).  We heard them singing, such eerie sound and then finally we saw one.  Of course, as I was fumbling for my phone, it dove underwater and finally, after a long while, pop up behind me.  I’m pretty sure I saw a bold eagle as well.  Very pretty lake.

There are so many lakes in this area, most with easy public put-ins. I love that the access to the public is there, giving everyone a chance to enjoy them.

We did want to hike, but nothing too crazy, so we did a waterfalls trail at Castle in the Clouds .  It’s the Brook Walk trail with seven waterfalls along it and then return via Turtleback trail, all not very long but certainly very pretty.  The names of the falls are pretty cool - Bridal Veil, Fall of Song, Emerald Pool, etc. Plenty of water in the falls, especially after all the rains we had. We stopped to enjoy some ice cream at Cafe in the Clouds, just reward for all that climbing up and down the waterfalls.

Then of course, there are good rail trails in the area, we biked the Northern Rail Trail. It starts in Lebanon, NH and goes for 59 miles.  We did a section from Webster Lake to Potter Place Andover.  Potter Place has a very interesting history, it’s named for Richard Potter, who lived in early 1800 and was described as the most famous ventriloquist and sleight-of-hand performer of his day.”.  There’s a little garden, which was original the cellar of Richard Potter’s house and a small cemetery.  There’s also a very well preserved train station, now managed by the Andover Historical Society .

We had a great lunch, fish tacos of course, at Kettlehead Brewing Company in Tilton. Excellent food and beer!

It was so good to catchup with Karen, hear about all her experience in New Zealand and plans for more activities.   There’s a great community of people our age in this area, that are very active, ready to for another adventure.