It sounds idyllic. Never leaving your favorite vacation spot. Living near the beach all year round, long after the tourists leave. Being the first in line at the local lobster roll and ice cream spot the day it opens because you live in paradise all year around.
But then, one day in November, the wind shifts direction and an icy nor’easter blows into your little corner of heaven, bringing snow and more snow, totaling over a 140 inches one year. For up to a week at a time, the temperature hovers at 30 degrees below zero. And the lake that you sped across in a jet ski in August turns so thick with ice that small planes land on it throughout the winter and SUV drivers create a mini two-lane snow highway across its surface. And, by the way, the ice doesn’t melt until mid-April.
After that first winter on Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire, I used to dread the end of summer and the off-season. Even before Labor Day, the first cool breezes started to blow in from the lake. And before we knew it, our wonderful neighbors stowed away their boats, grills and jet skis, and drove away with their children and grandchildren, turning our condo community into a ghost town. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, forty of the forty-four condos were empty, and a just a handful of us were left behind to weather the snow and ice.
This first photo, taken at the end of August, seems to hint at the shift from in-season to off-season.
The End of Summer. Lake Winnepesaukee, NH. Shot with a Canon Rebel XT.
In the next photo, a woman walks her dog on the beach at Elacoya State Park, past deserted picnic tables and trees that are just starting to turn shades of red and gold.
Here’s a view of the lake at the fiery peak of autumn. On a clear fall day, we could see snow on the slopes of Mount Washington in the distance, signalling the approach of winter.
Three Trees, Lake Winnepesaukee, NH. Shot with a Canon Rebel XT
Have you ever lived in a vacation spot? Do you like the off-season? Do you celebrate when the tourists leave? Do you love the peace and quiet of the off-season? Or, are you like me–impatient for Memorial Day when everyone comes back? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And have a good weekend, everyone!
Categories: Photography
P.A. Moed 
Such a gorgeous place you live, Patti. Autumn brings a faint sadness, but the colours are so beautiful.
I grew up in the coastal South African town of Durban, and we were always relieved when the tourists from inland went home, and we could find a spot on the beach, as well as not get clobbered in the water by out-of-control people who didn’t know how to swim and body-surf. A bit localist, I know. 🙂
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Hi BB. We don’t live in NH anymore, but it is a gorgeous spot. The summers are great. I’ve heard of Durban, of course, but I’ve got to look up so photos of it too. Have a great weekend–:)
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Fabulous photos, Patti. When we lived in Spain, I loved it when the tourists went home and we could walk along the vast empty beaches and the queues were not so long at the supermarkets. I never got used to the heat of Summer, so off-season suited me very well.
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How lovely to live in Spain. How long were you there?
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We lived there on the Costa Blanca for seven and a half years, till the recession hit. We’re back in Ireland seven years and I’m loving being home again. But I do miss the lovely mild winters there. Sunshine and lunch on the patio in January.
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Oh how we loved our annual 4th of July spent with The Moed’s every year on the most gorgeous lake! Our hearts still pine for our annual trip up North to be with our dear friends, and to surround ourselves in one of Mother Natures most exquisite sites!
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Hi Susan. I wish we could be together too! July 4th was always a lot of fun with you all.
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Gorgeous. I used to live in a tourist town by the beach in Australia. I used to dread “silly season” – Christmas time when everyone comes to the beach for holidays – and if I could, I’d try to get out of town while the tourists where there.
Now I’ve turned into a tourist myself and go back there for holidays when I am home. 🙂
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Yes, it’s funny when we become tourists in our home town or other places where we’ve lived. Although we always call ourselves New Yorkers and feel very much at home there we have these jarring experiences when we realize that the New Yorkers don’t really consider us home town folks anymore. Thanks for your thoughts! BTW–we’ve been to Oz several times and love it there. I loved Bondi Beach.
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🙂
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When I visited Martha’s Vineyard last fall, I wondered what it would be like to live there year-round. The small island is inundated in the summer. I bet the locals love the off-season — they can get seats in their favorite restaurants and don’t have to wait in the summer traffic jams.
How long did you live in NH? I bet that was a beautiful location.
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Hi Jackie. I’m sure you’re right about the Vineyard. I know that’s true about the Hamptons. We lived in NH for 7 years. It was gorgeous. Have you only lived in NYC?
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I’ve never been to NH, but I would like to go. I’d be one of those tourists visiting to see the fall colors. Before I lived in NYC, I lived in Atlanta. Quite a change! 🙂
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I am sure! Hope your transition to NYC is working out great.
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Beautiful changing season photos! I love the last one. 🙂
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Hi Amy. Thanks so much! The autumn in NH was absolutely spectacular. Hope you can visit then if you haven’t already. Have a great weekend….
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I haven’t but I love your images of Autumn on the lake!
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Thanks so much, Dune Mouse! It’s a beautiful spot in New England. Hope you get to visit it some day–if you haven’t already. –Patti
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Looks like we share a lifestyle Patti! Personally I prefer the off season, but then we don’t get ice and snow so I can understand your choice completely! Lovely photos.
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Hi Tina. How lucky that you don’t have the ice and snow! We left NH a few years ago and now live in a place where there is no off-season. I suppose every location has its advantages and disadvantages. The beauty in NH was spectacular. Your part of the country is gorgeous as well.
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West Michigan beaches are a pretty big tourist attraction. Sometimes the crowds can be so overwhelming there are towns I really enjoy that we refuse to visit during the season.
I live for the few short, delicious weeks that come after the tourists have gone and the first nasty November day of sleet/snow. Thank goodness for fall color or I’d be a depressed mess. It is hard to loose all that sweet, warm sailing/beaching/kayaking.
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Hi Dunelight. I understand wanting those beautiful towns for yourself! We were just in Saugatuck a few weekends ago and were surprised that it was crowded already. It’s still so lovely though with and without the crowds.
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I love this area, Patti having spent some time at Newfound Lake. Love your off-season shots and fall in this area is incredible. Thanks for bringing back some nice memories spent with family there.
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Hi Jane. It is a gorgeous area! So glad you have wonderful memories of Newfound Lake. The autumn there is spectacular. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts….
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I love these images Patti, the one with the orange tree.
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Thanks, Maria. The autumn is lovely in New England and the trees are spectacular. It was my favorite time of year when we lived there. Have you visited it?
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No, but it’s on my list. I’ve visited New Jersey, New York, and PA. I’ve yet to see New England and Maine. I suppose Rhode Island also
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I hope you get to travel to places on your “list.” What’s next?
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Ok Patty, I was wrong, New England is “is the region of the Northeastern United States comprising the six states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.” I thought you were referring to MA mainly.
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It’s a huge portion of the country! So far, we’ve lived in CT, MA, and NH!
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