GRAND Magazine - May 2009 - 39

Jenna and her brother, JJ , enjoyed both the home aspects and the simultaneous adventure: fishing, writing in the daily journal, playing in the hot tub and, best of all, helping Dad drive the boat. into the ground, a critical operation. Once our houseboat was secure, I told the grandchildren, “After you finish the fire pit, you can go from that point to the end of the beach and climb any of the hills. Be like Christopher Columbus. Explore and report back what you find.” Off they went to pick up shells and pretty stones. It was New Year’s Eve, and the aroma of our turkey dinner was tantalizing. After our family dinner we tackled one of our favorite family New Year’s traditions: putting puzzles together. On New Year’s Day, three out of the seven of us joined the Polar Bear Club with a quick dip in the frigid waters of Lake Mohave (I opted to stay on deck: Someone has to be the photographer!). Winter is a slow time on Lake Mohave— for us, wonderful: We had the whole place to ourselves, and there was something for everyone to do. The children went hiking with their father and their grandfather. They fished off the back of the boat. Uncle Jim went for a long run and saw wild burros. Daughter-in-law Kim worked on a diabolically difficult puzzle. I basked in the sun with a book. Time passed too quickly. As the early morning sun gave a golden glow to the world, Jenna and JJ started their day fishing (which more closely resembled drowning sardines). After a hearty family breakfast, it was time to explore. There was plenty of time for Grandpa to play “take no prisoners” checkers with the grandchildren and for the whole family to play Uno, followed by a soak in the hot tub. The trip will remain in our memories, partly thanks to another family tradition: Every evening each member of the family wrote an entry and drew pictures in our collaboration, “Scott’s Family Fun Afloat,” a group journal. G Cheaper by the dozen houseboats may be rented at many lake locations across the U.S. and Canada  . Weekly rental prices range from $1,200 a week to $12,500. especially intriguing is the 38-foot Coastal Cruiser that sleeps six, available in the Florida Keys with its own private island ($2,495/ week) . then, there’s the Titan , a tripledeck, 65-foot vessel that cruises California’s Lake Shasta, sleeps 22 and has four private staterooms, eight flatscreen tVs and five refrigerators. It’s $12,500 for a week at peak season, which, when you think about it, is only $81/person/ per day. take it from us, you can’t even stay in Kimball, nebraska, for that price. –W.R.C. MAY aboUt LaKe MohaVe In the nevada desert, a short drive north of Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona, Lake Mohave , part of the Lake Mead Recreational Area, offers a variety of boating, camping, hiking, fishing and other recreational activities. During the summer it’s a busy place, but from late fall to early spring, it’s a wonderful place for a multigenerational family escape. . —S.S. Click and connect to more resources instantly where you see this symbol:  2009 GRAND 39

http://www.houseboating.org/ http://www.houseboating.org/boat_info.cfm?id=453476091#name http://www.houseboats.com/index.php?pid=71 http://www.desertusa.com/colorado/lm_nra/lake_mohave/du_lkmojave.html http://www.foreverresorts.com

GRAND Magazine - May 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - May 2009