Jump into fun. Spring is nearly here!

Spring on America's favorite waterways is already warming things up. It's time to start digging out your swimsuit and hiking boots, cleaning up the tackle box and getting ready for another great season on the water. Just think, it's already March, which waterway will you be on this season?

In this month's issue we warm up to a true gem in the Desert, Lake Powell and Antelope Point Marina - with all of the fantastic fun, scenery and history that awaits you.

Check out 2009 houseboat rental rates
Many daily rates are lower than last season!

Spring at Lake Powell means secluded beaches, quiet canyons and temperate weather - perfect for exploring, hiking, fishing or just relaxing with friends and family. We check out the grand style of the 70' Millenium, and the 75' Silver XTreme in addition to remembering some great American heroes.

Spring is in the air. Can you feel it yet?

Happy Houseboating!

Lake Powell
A picture postcard everywhere you look

Some of the most dramatic scenery you will find anywhere can be found straddling the Arizona-Utah border. It surrounds the second largest man made lake in the US, Lake Powell.

With 2000 miles of pristine shoreline and over 1 million surface acres of sparkling clear water, this 186 mile long beauty is known for recreational boating. It is considered one of the world's foremost houseboating destinations. There are over 90 side canyons for exploring, 80 natural arches (40 of which you can see from the water), a wide variety of great beaching spots, and iconic red rock cliffs and spires in every direction, all set against clear, brilliant blue water.

"Powell is like an old friend," says Steve Carothers, Antelope Point General Manager. "Everytime I go out, I discover something new." Steve has lived and worked at Powell for over 29 years. "You have to experience it all, it's not just about going out and looking, there is much more to do, you never get tired." Steve makes a great point, there is so much for houseboaters to see and do on Lake Powell: great temps with a long season to enjoy, clear skies to help soak in the sunshine, natural wonders to hike and explore, unsurpassed scenery in every direction, wildlife and endangered species to encounter and opportunities to play on the water like no other.

The choices are seemingly endless on Lake Powell - with so many beaches, coves and canyons to choose from.

Water lovers enjoy long seasons May through October with clear warm water, sunny days and cool nights in abundance. The 3700 foot elevation and desert location put the lake in a 78% sunshine belt so houseboaters rarely need umbrellas. (except for shade). There are often great temps in the winter months too. (see air water temp chart below)

Rejuvinate your spirit and renew relationships.
The playground is wonderous.

Stay up late and enjoy the stars. Because of its remote location, Powell boasts some of the clearest skies anywhere. Visibility is usually in the 50+ mile range, and over head, the stars look like you can just reach up and grab em! Try kicking back in the hot tub while a meteor shower streaks across the sky above. It may well be a "night out" to remember. It all starts with dusk as the sky turns ever darker shades of blue until it finally gives way to the stars. Get up early in the morning and watch the red rocks around you come to life as the dawn approaches. Smell the morning coffee and watch the magic.

It all happens here in the great protected scenery of Lake Powell, which is the central feature of the 1.2 million acre Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It stretches from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of Southern Utah. Established as a park in 1972, the area borders the Navajo Nation and is home to many sacred sites, pictographs and artifacts. Our friend Steve Carothers described the recreation area as a "collection of great protected scenery, geologic wonders and a vast panorama of human history."

The glens or canyons of the area (that's where they get the name) host a diverse range of wildlife. Some of the local amphibians blend in so well with the surrounding rocks that if you look too quickly, you might miss seeing them doing push ups on the shore (they do that to stay cool). Over 300 species of birds have been documented in the area too. Most just drop in for some R&R on the water and stay for a short time (just like us houseboaters).

The area, including the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam, is also home to several endangered species including the bald eagle, golden eagle, Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail chub, and the razorback sucker.

Here's a great side trip.
Dock up and take a drive and hike to Antelope Canyon just east of the marina. It is one of the most photographed canyons in the world filled with some of the most iconic scenery anywhere. Locals will tell you it is best to hike the canyon mid day so you can see the light streams flowing down between monuments. The four mile drive from Antelope Point is quick and easy and the hiking is easy. Some houseboaters plan a visit to the canyon before or after their time on the water. Either way, most agree that Antelope Canyon is well worth the trip.

Back on your boat, get up early and check out the glasslike water - prime for that first water ski run in the morning - the lake is about to come alive. As the day warms up at Powell, the fun does too. Houseboaters travel from all over the world to play on the many great bays here and there is more than enough water to go around. Try your feet on a wake board or split things up with a pair of skis, a tube or knee board. Fire up your own PWC or... if you're in a slower, quieter mood, slip into a kayak and paddle away. Whatever floats your boat, there's plenty of room for you and your crew to make your own waves, big or small, on the Wateways of Lake Powell.

Antelope Point Marina
Your Full Service Gateway to Lake Powell

Full service is the name of the game at Lake Powell's newest marina. You will find some great amenities at this jewel in the desert that will make your time on the lake a breeze. There is a concierge service for loading and unloading your houseboat, a covered fuel dock for fast fill up's, a full service restaurant & lounge when you feel like dining out, catering services to help with your event ideas, and a 5000 foot marketplace.

Dine out at Jadi Tooh
Pull your boat up to one of the courtesy slips at Jadi Tooh (It means Antelope River) and prepare yourself for a delicious treat. This full service restaurant and lounge was built on a one acre floating island. Floor to ceiling glass walls provide some stunning views while you're eating and the floating fountains outside are a nice touch. Take a seat inside or out, the atmosphere is great either way.

The menu features everything from fish tacos to prime rib and there is a great wine selection too. Try the point burger, a 1/3 pound beauty wrapped in prosciutto and topped with sautéed mushrooms and melted blue cheese. (hungry yet?) Prices range from $10.95 to $31.95 and kids meals go for just $6.00.

Don't want to go in and sit down? Call in your order and pick it up dockside. Let the Chef and the staff at Jadi Tooh do the cooking for you.

Design your own event
Bringing a group to the lake? Let the catering crew do all the work for you. Whether you have 1 or 25 houseboats on your beach they will serve you anywhere on the lake! Their motto is "if you can dream it, we can do it." Try a different theme every night. (hmmm.... tiki torches with hula skirts?)

Family reunions are common on the lake and large groups, weddings and corporate events are routinely handled with ease. Let them help you arrange the perfect mix of food and entertainment to make your event a huge success. Contact the catering department at Antelope Point Marina and let them know what your vision is. They love a challenge!

A few interesting facts about the marina:
It is the largest floating structure of its kind in the world. The total development cost of the marina was $80 million. The 27,000 square foot marina village platform weighs over 2,500 tons and is made up of concrete, steel and styrofoam.

It is anchored to the side, not the bottom of the lake so It can float up and down freely as the water level rises and falls. Cooling on the marina for the facilities and food storage is produced by pumps that circulate fluid from 180 feet beneath the marina.

The marina is located within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation and was designed to be harmonious with the environment, vistas and topography of the area.

Learn more about Antelope Point Marina:

Lake Powell Houseboat Rentals

Antelope Point Marina Information

Smooth Sailing for the Mobility Impaired

Heard of just about every option on a houseboat? How about an elevator? The well appointed 75' XT has been equipped with some pretty great features for mobility impaired houseboaters, including an elevator to get everyone up to the top deck! The new "pride of the fleet" is now available at Callville Bay on Lake Mead and Antelope Point Marina on Lake Powell. (Note: Access features vary by location.)

Most custom built houseboats in the Forever fleet are user friendly for the mobility impaired with wide enough doorways and bigger bathrooms. Wanting to go a step further, Forever's "million dollar" 75' Silver XT was designed to be as fully accessible as possible including the top deck areas.

This well equipped craft is wide and spacious with access features like a full bath with roll-in-shower. The master stateroom features a bed lift. There are grab bars in the shower, near the head, and wall mounted by the vanity to make navigating these areas more secure.

The hallways are wide and the galley and family area is spacious and easy to get around. Deck level side gates on the front and rear decks make getting on and off a smoother than ever and the front deck boarding ramp leads to a wide ramped patio door. And of course, there is the wheel chair lift to the top deck.

The most important feature, however, is the great experience of being on the water with friends and family wherever they are on the boat. The goal is for everyone to be able to sit on the top deck together with the breeze blowing through their hair and the beauty of their favorite Waterways passing by. What a view!

Learn more about the 75' Silver XTreme