Cottage #3

I believe most people go on vacation to get away from their life back home, to reconnect, to reset –rejuvenate, to find their “zen”. This is where myself and my family go to find all the above and so much more. Every year in January I start counting down the days until I get to go back to Newfound Memories.
Julie and Chuck have been hosting me with a cottage since they took ownership in, I believe, 2012 and there are so many reasons why I go back year after year. I have been going to NewFound Lake for 30+ years and while I have “enjoyed” going to the lake, let me say, Newfound Memories feels like my home away from home.
The cottage is always ready for my arrival, it is clean, safe, inviting and comfortable.
It doesn’t matter what the weather is … there is always something to do. If it is sunny, take a long walk around the lake where people are happy, friendly, they smile and say hello or wave at you ! Go for a swim, use a kayak or paddle board. The kids love playing soccer on the beach. Or just lounge, in one of the comfortable chairs reading a book or listening to the radio while staring at the sights on and across the lake. When you get hungry, my grandkids love packing up lunch and having it on the picnic tables, under the trees, on the beach. After a long day on the beach, just go back to the cottage, toss a buger, hot dog, steak or chicken on the grill right outside your door.
If it’s rainy and you feel like you have to go somewhere, take a ride and go mini golfing. Or maybe go to Meredith to catch a movie or shop. Grab an ice cream cone at “The Dock”. But I have to say my grandkids and I especially love staying at the cottage on the 3 season porch, listening to the rain, playing a board game, munching on popcorn and listening to the latest book on CD that we checked out from the library back home.
If I am totally honest, I believe one of the things my grandkids truly enjoy is to get up early Sunday morning, take a walk to get to “Shackett’s” store, with the smell of the fresh donuts they are cooking (You can smell them half way to there) and wait for the store to open. We each get two donuts, I prefer the ones covered in cinnamon and sugar, and a jug of milk. And because we can’t wait until we get back to the cottage, we go across the street from the store, sit at the picnic tables and chow down ! Once everyone is done …. We walk back to the cottage to work off the donuts. Now that’s what I call a Sunday tradition !
It truly brings a tear to my eye when I have to say “Good bye , see you next year !” to my amazing, warm, friendly hosts Julie and Chuck …. But I know it’ less than 365 days til I get to go back … and I dream … of the long lazy days on the beach …

If you are looking for a vacation with amazing views, relaxation, that allows you to reconnect with yourself and your family ... this is the place ! The water is the cleanest I have ever seen. The beach is roomy, but also has the shade from a tree when you feel you need to get out of the sun. My favorite thing to do was to go into the water and float, watching the kayakers, canoes, jet skis & speedboats go by. I loved throwing together a quick meal on the grill then eating at the picnic tables either in the yard, on the porch or on the beach. In the evenings, although the cottages have televisions, you'll find you would rather be on the porch looking at the view, playing a game with the family or on the beach sitting next to a fire, watching fireworks over the lake. If you don't feel like cooking, the cottages are a stones throw away from wide variety of places to eat in all price ranges such as the Big Catch (has amazing views of the lake at sunset), Village Pizza, The Bridgewater Inn, The Ledge on the Water, The Homestead, The Inn on Pasquaney, Gilley's and the list goes on and on ...

There is a movie theater in Meredith, shopping at the outlet mall (within a 1/2 hour drive), places to mini golf, Polar Caves, there is always something to do.

I could go on and on .... probably the best thing of all is the new owners ... they make you feel right at home

This is really the place to try .. just like me ... you'll keep going back

This has by far been our best family vacation ever!! My kids (ages 9-23) took bets that dad would only make it a few days before he was back to work. Even dad didn't want to leave when the week was over. Whether it's a relaxing day or a day of activities you're looking for, this is the place to come. There’s nothing like waking up and sitting on the porch, enjoying the beautiful view of the lake and beach – they’re only a few hundred feet from the cabins. (The porch is great at night too, watching the sunset is amazing, you can take some beautiful pictures of the great views!!) We enjoyed walking to the local market; they make delicious homemade doughnuts every morning, and to the little dairy bar for food and ice cream. Relaxing on the semi-private (share with owners and other two cabins) beach was one of my favorite things to do, along with floating in the water, while my youngest loved fishing off the end of the dock. Course you can take the canoe out too. Everyone enjoyed playing volley ball, horse shoes and other fun games. We enjoyed the cottage and beach so much that we only ended up taking off for one day trip (after going to the beach and water in the morning). If you feel like a day trip you’re only ½ hour to 1 hour from many different activities such as hiking, shopping and the Kancamangus Highway.

The new owners made us very welcome and at home. They are far more than accommodating and are a joy to visit with. We all look forward to coming back every year!!