I am still actively pursuing my Shunpiking exploration goal for 2026, but closer to home for short respites and relaxation. No planes, I “pine for” more trains (in time). Sadly weekend fairs I have not felt like attending, avoiding crowds and “walking” – but I enjoy being home and planning trips and reading and writing. A “new stage” for Ray, or an “age-thing?”

On “the list” forever has been the Dinner Cruise with Sunapee Cruises departing from the docks in “downtown Sunapee Harbor, NH.” Sunapee Harbor is but an hour away, but still perfect for an overnight since the cruise finishes at 8:30 pm, and you know I can always “make adventures” coming and going – back roads of course.

I booked MAPLE HILL FARM Bed and Breakfast, just outside New London, on Route 11 near I-89 — but ten minutes to the dock, and dinner cruise.

Just as with the West Mountain Inn that I have been enjoying this year, Maple Hill Farm is a RARITY in the world of B&Bs and Inns having first opened in 1984, over forty years ago, and in the same family. Owner Will began working alongside his parents at age five, and bought the B&B from his parents in 2020. So with over thirty years experience here, Will and his wife, Haley, are carrying along the tradition with Audrey, their two year old, and Audrey’s sister, now two weeks old. A welcoming family.

I booked one of the two first floor rooms in the old farm house, and so glad I did because you know I love “common areas” in inns. Below left is just outside my room where I planted myself reading and writing – but I did spend some time first in the corner room further beyond – also very comfy. To the right the dining area, and Will told me he has served 20 folks at once – by the way, wonderful breakfast! I was going to ask if I could see the upstairs and if those rooms also had common areas, but I forgot to ask when I was leaving.

The dinner cruise began at 6:30, but at 5 I headed back to the harbor even though a ten minute drive. But having some time, before parking I circled around Lake Avenue to Burkehaven Road back to the dock. Never done so before, nice old lake homes, and worth the drive.

I need to visit the harbor and its museums and ice cream stand. Cathy and I usually drove through when passing by on nearby Route 11 – believe we even once ate at the restaurant on the pier – maybe twenty years ago.

When writing my tales I enjoy some after trip research and reading. Native Americans called the lake Soo-Nipi or “Wild Goose Waters” for the many geese that passed over the lake during migration, but the boat captain also later told us the outline of the lake resembled a goose. The lake is about 8.1 miles long (north-south) and from 0.5 to 2.5 miles wide (east-west), covering 6.5 square miles. The lake’s outlet is in the Newbury Harbor, at the south end becoming the headway for the Sugar River which eventually empties into the Connecticut River.

Most fascinating to me with my interest in Victorian summer resorts is the resort history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The railroad arrived in Newbury, NH, in 1871 when the Concord & Claremont Railroad finally completed the “Newbury Cut” extending the tracks. The arrival of the railroad launched Lake Sunapee’s famous steamboat and summer resort era, and boats leaving Newbury reached eleven landings and resorts around the lake which has a shoreline of about 70 miles – driving distance around the lake about 25 miles.

below walking from the parking area to the dock

and my “ship” for the next two hours. The captain saw some of us sitting, and invited us aboard.

the second level, and the view from my table all the way forward on the starboard side (right side for those of you who don’t know).

underway leaving the harbor – leading north

some homes on Lake Avenue to the starboard side as we departed the harbor.

and time to head down to the main deck for the buffet — AMAZING at least for Ray.

Back to my table

The lake’s orientation is basically north-south. Using my WAZE app for these map location images, the screen shows orientation of the direction you are headed. Thus the top of this image to the right is looking south as the boat was heading into Newbury harbor proper. Of interest please note NH Route 103, 103A and 103B.

Below departing Newbury harbor

and views to the eastern shoreline.

Blodgetts’ Landing

and, below why you take this dinner cruise. Our Captain kept saying this was one of the best weather days he has had. Remember to click my images for larger views.

on the left one of the three lighthouses on the lake – this at the Sunapee Harbor entrance.

great clouds.

Returning to Maple Hill Farm it was reading and learning time — of course. I had a route planned for the trip home on Friday stopping too at a few “shopping points.” On my map link when placing the Farm I discovered Little Sunapee Lake which I was not aware of. So, when I left I looped around the lake (west to east) and getting back to the intersection with New London’s Main Street, headed back west turning down 103A after passing under I-89. First on the plan was to see Blodgett Landing. Do click the map for a larger view to place it all.

Blodgett Landing History from John Greenwood. Blodgett Landing is a section of Newbury, NH.  It is one of the eleven  major “landings” on Lake Sunapee.  Blodgett’s was originally established as a church  “Spiritualist” community in 1876.   Spiritualists annual camp-meeting at Blodgett Landing were held in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
A fleet of steam ships took guests to the many hotels/inns that were located at the various landings from the late 1800’s until the 1930’s.   The “Wenonah” burned to the waterline on the night of July 4th 1908 at Blodgett Landing.

There was a hotel and three boarding houses in Blodgett Landing.  Here is the 1888 Forest House Inn brochure and  a 1940’s brochure from the “Wa-See-Wic”   boarding house.

An article, by  John Greenwood, Blodgett’s Landing C.O.A. – The Early Years… can be found in the Summer 2011 issue of the SooNipi magazine.

Having in a “previous life” owned cottages in a late 19th century “camp-meeting ground” I had to visit there. You may also remember my recent discovery last year of a “camp-meeting ground” in Round Lake, New York.

Below the park and lake upon enter Blodgett’s Landing coming off Route 103A heading south before John Hay’s The Fells.

And some cottages on the lake – original Victorians and renovated.

I had some tentative plans for Sunday, 12 July, but alas am enjoying home and staying in vicariously searching and planning the next few adventures. I have several planned with Gary as his schedule opens including a caboose, mountain top, space travel – oh, the possibilities. So, stay tuned. Not only do I have an “escape schedule” to keep up, but I am almost at 500 stories I have shared with you here. The pressure is on to share more on SHUNPIKING WITH RAY.

Stay safe and well, luv, RAY