Remember I finally had an overnight 8-9 August with a Squam Lake Cruise the second day? I told you the boat guide “… pointed out a bucolic camp – ROCKYWOLD DEEPHAVEN CAMPS, established in 1897. Now ON MY LIST, and hopefully I will be able to experience in September.” Well, I found in one of my books I had highlighted the camp and its history, but it only took me days once I returned home from that overnight to make a booking, and I am now writing from the porch of Long House lodge, just 30 feet from Squam Lake, and listening to the loons. Check in was at 4PM on Tuesday for me, and I have now been “experiencing” for 26 hours.

I planned my trip up and back as you can see lighted on the map below (well from Tilton).

The “camp” is where you see Rattlesnake Mountain marked north of Squam Lake – a two hour drive from home for me – but in typical Ray Shunpiking fashion it took me five hours to arrive at 4:02 to the grounds. Why? Well first heading up towards Newport I wanted to see a book shop Cathy and I had visited 20 years ago – believed it had closed, but I had time to check. Turning off the main road was a sign for two covered bridges – yeah.

Yes, I found the bookshop – unchanged since our visit twenty years ago, and possibly abandoned. Note dirt on the car.

but the first bridge came before the bookshop – WOW – vaguely remember it, and now will. Pier, or Chandler’s Station Bridge in Newport, NH, at 217 feet it is the longest remaining covered railroad bridge in the nation according to the sign at the entrance. It is right off the road

just to give you and idea of size for a train, I heard ATVs coming and waited to get the image below for size comparison – the second image (remember you can click my galleries for large views) shows the rail trail exiting out and along the Sugar River the bridge crosses.

I continued on looking for the second bridge, but finally gave up. Driving back, through the trees and near the Pier Bridge I spotted the Wright bridge which I learned you can only access from the rail trail.

I always am fascinated when I see what is obviously an old rail bed alongside a back road. Then it occurred to me, and I now own two books on Vermont and New Hampshire rail trails so I can learn what old railroads ran where – beware, another “hook” for Shunpiking adventures.

Part of my five hours for a two hour trip was searching for treasures, and yes, first stop I purchased 31 books for resale. You may know I am on a “blow mold” pumpkin quest even though a friend has advised I had better curb my ORANGE ORB OBSESSION – but I am selective. On Saturday I “made a good acquisition,” and now stopping at a shop in Weirs Beach I have this memory – Union Products (Leominster, MA) CARRY JACK CANDY PAIL – 7 ¼”H x 9″W, and available 2000-2006. Not old, but fits in with my collection. To discourage “pumpkin thieves” I left the fellow below as a warning to others who wish to “mess with my pumpkins” as this is the result.

In Meredith I turned on Route 25 to Moultonborough, then up through Sandwich (a must visit village) and back roads to RDC – Rockywold Deephaven Camps, and checked into 1897 (albeit with minimum electric and plumbing added). Checking in, I heading down to Long House and my “room with a view.”

I crossed along the porch, through the great room to my room right off the porch.

and, the views of Squam Lake just outside my room.

Quick history lesson from Wikipedia — Squam Lake was originally called Keeseenunknipee, which meant “the goose lake in the highlands”. The white settlers that followed shortened the name to “Casumpa”, “Kusumpy” and/or “Kesumpe” around 1779. In the early 19th century, the lake was given another Abenaki name, Asquam, which means “water”. Finally, in the early 20th century, Asquam was shortened to its present version, Squam. And now you know.

Below my room – for sleeping.

and heading to the dining hall for dinner – wonderful spread, many choices – I started with all the entrees.

It was then back on the porch, Zooming with Gary, and watching the sun go down. This second evening I sat in the dark watching the bats come out.

In the morning I headed off to the “Rock Dining Hall” for breakfast. RDC is on two peninsulas so to speak, each with cabins, lodges, and a dining hall. I choose Long House lodge for the waterfront room, but later learned the dining hall here closed after Labor Day. So off I went on what I thought was a path. Not really, so I soon returned got my car keys and eventually found the dining hall again. For someone who has a good sense of direction I have been a tad challenged – guess all the trees and perfect dirt roads “look alike.”

Exploring on the way back I found the playhouse and “camp store” and “camp story,” a museum of the camps’ history. Serendipitously the camp director, Natalie, was there and visited with me. I knew some of the history because in reading about Squam Lake I learned of a 1997 book – Roots And Recollections Century Rockywold-Deephaven – and ordered a copy to study. Ends up there are copies in the store here – I did not check if originals or reprints. Natalie headed off to a meeting, and I entered the museum -“camp story.”

In my opinion RDC is a ‘”national treasure” and a microcosm reflective of social and cultural changes over the past century as impacted by the development of the summer vacation and recreation, the automobile, war, and the civil rights movement. Adapting with the changes one can still have a feel of the early twentieth century, and as Natalie and I agreed, “not everyone gets it.”

Here is some of the history from the museum, but better yet, get the book when you visit the museum while staying.

and, then I “staked out” my spot on the porch (which I have had all to myself) with the “work” I brought, and books to read. When will I ever learn it will not all happen?

For dinner the first night, and then breakfast, I drove to the dining hall, but for lunch had asked enough folks to be able to find the path and hike along. With cane, fun through the woods but care given to roots and rocks. Fine for day, but not worth a chance at night even with a lantern (and yes Beth, I forgot to reread your email and neglected to bring a lantern or “bug juice” but bugs not been a problem for me). I arrived for lunch, with an appetite.

For a future stay with Gary, Ilana and others, I asked if there were some empty cottages I could take a look at, so the plan walking back was to look at a few. Found some perfect spots for Gary and I to “do our thing” while Ilana pedals around Squam Lake, and maybe Winnipesaukee the next day. Here is one of two ice houses. Blocks of ice are cut, stored, and delivered daily to cottages keeping an old tradition.

This is BY THE WAY cottage, and “by the way” I am ready.

But, maybe SUMMIT – housekeeping was there at the moment, but look at the porch !

and in the same area is SUNNY RIDGE – smaller, but secluded (as they all are) and the porch. Note the old ice box is just outside the door.

Rest of the day was reading, some writing, thinking about laying out my upcoming presentation, nap, dinner, reading, falling asleep, waking to moose calls – no loons this night. What could be better? Well, the BIG adventure I have planned for Thursday after lunch. Something ERRATIC, and again if you know me you have it figured out. And, click this link for Part Two of Ray ON GOLDEN POND.

Stay well, luv, RAY