Convenient to the Nashua/ Manchester metro area, Massachusetts and gateway to the White Mountains, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region today is one big tourist attraction, especially in the summer. This means elegant homes on Squam Lake, marinas on Winnipesaukee and arts festivals on sculpted village greens. It also means motorcycle weekend in Laconia (picture thousands of Harley-Davidsons cruising a five-mile stretch of roadway). In winter the Lakes region hosts ice-fishing derbies, winter marathons and the world championships of sled-dog racing (move over, Alaska!). In autumn the vision of mountain foliage against crystal sky and water is the perfect backdrop for country fairs or woodland hikes. In spring? Well, in spring the locals sweep the road sand off the street and get ready to welcome all the snowbirds back.