Over the school year, we pick up tons of useful information, whether or not we like the process of learning it. However, part of what makes the start of the school year after the summer so shockingly enticing is that, as fun as the summer is, it is also three months of learning nothing, and the human brain was designed to absorb information. I like to think that I absorb some things from my experience over the summer. But this summer, I spent literally 50% of the vacation at various lakes around New England (I use the term "Lakes of New England" loosely, as by "various lakes" I mean about three, and one ocean, not to mention that one of them is not even in New England), so while I learned nothing about math, science or the humanities, I acquired a pretty in depth understanding of a few societies around America. And since what makes humans superior as a race is there ability to pass on information, I may as well pass on what I learned. Who knows? Maybe someone someday will find this knowledge useful.
We'll start with the one outlier--Lake Powell. Hardly even a lake, and definitely not in New England, Lake Powell is nevertheless one of the most beautiful bodies of water that I've ever been to. And more pleasing is that I was not at a hotel, nor a house on the lake... well, technically it was a house on the lake. But it was a house literally on the lake. My family took our houseboat out on the lake and spent a week in the canyon that is Lake Powell. And while the society was not a particular social one, there are many things you can and should learn about spending a week on the water with thousands of other people who have the same idea.
1. When you park your houseboat for the night, keep it in an area away from other people. You may enjoy partying, but you certainly won't enjoy other people partying while you're trying sleep. And vice versa, sound travels like crazy on water, so it's only polite to party in an obscure nook in the lake.
2. Sound travels like crazy on water. I had no idea until I was across the water from a boat and could hear everything they were saying, whether or not they were shouting. It made me wonder how much people were hearing from my boat, and from then on, whenever I was near a boat, I talked in hushed voices. You never know who's listening.
3. Finally, check the depth meter before going off the water slide. Pretty self explanatory.
Okay, now for the other one that doesn't quite fit in: the Atlantic Ocean. But more accurately, Bar Harbor, Maine. I spent a week with my family at my house there (the first time in a few years) and realized it was exactly as I remembered it. Bar Harbor is, above all, a tourist town. You won't find yourself making personal connections with other campers up there, so make sure you're nice and cozy with the people you travel there with, because when all you're doing is hitting tourist attractions, you won't have time for socializing.
1. I'll reiterate: be sure to enjoy the company of the people you go with. Between Acadia National Park, the carriage biking trails, downtown Bar Harbor, and of course the Jordan Pond House, you won't be put in situations to meet new people, just situations to bond with the people you went with.
2. Bar Harbor may be a tourist town, but its one of the best ones out there. So hit all the tourist attractions before trying to find something else to do. Most of all, go to Acadia National Park. You won't feel more alive than when you're taking a 10-mile-long bike ride to the Pond House, or hiking the pseudo-dangerous Precipice Trail 1000 feet up the face of Champlain Mountain. Bar Harbor may not be a place to socialize, but its the best place to feel alive.
3. The road to Hell is paved with un-bought lobster boxers. The one thing I found worth buying in downtown Bar Harbor was a pair of tourist-y lobster boxers and matching sleep pants. They're pretty awesome, and super cheap (only $15 per pair, and $25 for the pants) so don't leave Bar Harbor without them.
As for actual lakes, Lake Seymour on Vermont, a rather unheard of one, can be quite enjoyable if you're fine putting extravagance behind you and embracing the quaint spirit of Vermont. The cabins are small, the boats are old, the beaches are only about twenty square feet, and yet there is a unique feel to the area: one that is unachievable anywhere else. I spent only a week on Lake Seymour, just like the aforementioned two vacations, but time slows there, and it felt like so much longer. Here's a few tips on how to live your life (or just your week) on Lake Seymour.
1. Get out on the water. I'd give the same advice about Lake Winnipesaukee (see below), however there is a certain stillness to Lake Seymour that cannot be achieved anywhere else. It is a small enough lake that there is little to no traffic on it, and yet large enough that there is plenty of space to engage in water activities. And while water skiing is fun, I personally have got to suggest kayaking: you won't get the same kayaking experience elsewhere.
2. While we're on the subject of kayaking, there is a small river off the lake that ends at a dam. Make a trip there. And while you're at it, don't speak--just kayak silently down the river. It is impossible to describe the experience in words, but if you want a story and you're on Lake Seymour, go there.
3. Lake Seymour is broken up into neighborhoods assigned to small beaches. So get to know your neighbors. The whole week (or longer, depending on how long you're there for), you'll be seeing those people down at the beach. Even though Lake Seymour tends to be an introverted experience, it's only enhanced by having people to spend it with.
Without a doubt, I absorbed the most information from Winnipesaukee, considering that I spent the bulk of my vacations there. I put it here last because I thought I could spend the most time on it, but since the three before it took up so much space, I'll be brief.
1. John Marriott Jr. Jr. Jr. throws the best parties. Not just the best on Lake Winnipesaukee. Literally, the best anywhere. Kind of makes sense, considering he's J.W. Bill Marriott's grandson. Do whatever you can to get your hands on an invitation.
2. Similarly, don't go near Mitt Romney's lake house without an invitation waving in your hand. Even if it's just in your bag. Oh. Also, don't go near Mitt Romney's lake house with a bag. Intentions can be misunderstood.
3. And last of all, while Winnipesaukee may be big, it's not big enough to amuse you for an entire month, unless you make friends. People of all ages stay there, and it's a huge lake. Without integrating yourself into the society of Winnipesaukee, you'll probably have a pretty miserable time. But if you do integrate yourself, you'll have a time that you never forget.
Cas Stone
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