Laconia

Day 30
Destination: Laconia, New Hampshire
Route: Back roads and Route 104
Miles Ridden: Total Miles 6,725

Points of Interest:

• Lake Winnnespasauki
• Laconia Motorcycle Rally

More pleasant than any hotel, we awoke this morning to the sounds of nature- a babbling brook, and a waterfall. This far north, the air is cool and clean, and everything is green. It had rained during the night, and was still raining, but that was not going to stop us from traveling the 40 plus miles to the Laconia motorcycle rally (its "Bike Week"). The Laconia rally is the oldest in the United States, having first taken place 87 years ago.
 
After Jodie prepared an outstanding breakfast for everyone, we loaded up and began our ride. It continued to rain off and on, but the weather forecast was for clear weather. (They lied!) We stopped by Laconia Harley-Davidson, and as expected found a party. It looked like over 1,000 bikes were in and around the various lots. Since it's Thursday, the crowd was considered light, since Saturday and Sunday they are expecting many more people. We were pleased to be there when it was not so crowded. The dealership had a large tent with food, drink and live entertainment (all for a price, of course), but a good time was had by all.
 
A few trinkets and T Shirts later, and we were en route to Laconia about 10 miles north. Laconia, during the rally, is like Daytona, in that the rally spans more than one town. Weir Beach and Laconia are separated by a small bridge, and the community is well worth the visit. The ride through the heavily wooded highways is great, the roads are in good condition, and the rally is located alongside Lake Winnespasauki at Weir Beach. There were scores of food, clothing, T shirt and other vendors, and no shortage of places to quench one's thirst. What made the rally exceptional was the nice people, and the fact that it was bordered by the lake on one side, and beautiful bed and breakfast homes on the other. Quite a contrast.