Strike TRUE gold this season!

The gold rush is on again this summer and America's favorite waterways are shimmering with longer days to enjoy, warmer temps to bask in, and golden sunsets to cap off your priceless memories on the water. No need to pan for metallic gold this year, your time together with friends and family is the real treasure - sure to be "as good as gold."

In this issue of Waterways we shine up to a true "nugget" of California recreation, Don Pedro Lake, with two great marinas to choose from - Moccasin Point Marina. and Lake Don Pedro Marina two perfect gateways to all of the fantastic fun, scenery and history that awaits you. We also peek into another California treasure, Yosemite National Park, and explore the world famous possibilities there.

A handy listing of Don Pedro's fishing tournaments is included (no gold medals as far as we can tell) and there is also a delicious bass recipe for the grill.

Check out the fun and easy to navigate 50' Forever 8 houseboat, and look into what's been done to make houseboating "greener" than ever. Top it all off with our mouth watering Top-5 and we hope we don't leave you too hungry.

Go for the gold this year... it's time to get out on the water!

Happy Houseboating!

Don Pedro Lake Remote solitude under golden sunsets

Golden sunsets are just the beginning of the treasure you will find in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The real treasure may be Don Pedro Lake. This true "California Nugget" is perfectly situated about two hours from the Bay Area, San Jose, or Sacramento and only an hour from the gates of Yosemite. You will find that Don Pedro has a lot to offer on the water and off.

The 160 miles of pristine shoreline on this 20 mile long reservoir are just waiting for you to enjoy and there is plenty of water to play on as well, with over 13,000 acres of sparkling, fun filled, surface area.

Don Pedro is big and deep and "no matter what the water level is, there's still a great lake out there" says Dave Wood, General Manager of Lake Don Pedro Marina. "Fluctuating water levels means a new shoreline every time you go out" he likes to point out and the "deeper lake can handle annual water level drops and rises without losing the fun and enjoyment." (see water level stats)

Choose from two houseboat marinas on Lake Don Pedro - Moccasin Point and Don Pedro Marina.

Sleep under a blanket of stars every night... sleep well.

Enjoy what some say is perfect houseboating weather March through November. (see air/water temp chart) Cool mountain breezes usually waif through the area in the afternoons letting you know that another amazing sunset is on the way with its reds, yellows and fabulous hues of gold. These perfect temps may save you a bit on fuel costs too. (Who needs air conditioning with temps like this?)

GOLD!
Yes, it's true, there really is gold in "them thar hills" and on the shore too. This area was a popular location for mining and panning during the gold rush and there is a lot of mining history here. Keep an eye out for the foundations of old mining facilities on the shorelines and more importantly though, look out for that elusive twinkle on the shore, or sparkle in the rock, or glimmer in the mud, you might just find your own treasure. People find flakes of gold all the time. As one local put it, there's "gold layin around everywhere." (too bad someone else already picked up the big pieces...)

"Double digit fishing" as locals like to brag, is one reason so many anglers like to cast out their lines on Don Pedro. But... they will also tell you that this lake is not for the "lazy angler." The lake has been been stocked with black bass since the early 80's and "trophies" weighing up to 18.5 pounds have been caught in recent years, but it still "takes skill to get the big ones."

One longtime angler described Don Pedro fishing as "the most trophyist bass fishing there is." Cast out to an endless variety of fish as well with bass, crappie, blue catfish, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, small mouth bass, spotted bass all "angling for your line." Land locked kokanee and chinook salmon can also be found here. Need help? Bass and trout guides are available to assist and can be arranged through the marinas. Feeling competitive? Check out the listing of Don Pedro tournaments in this issue.

Keep a watch out for some great wildlife too as bald eagles and osprey can often been seen flying over head. Otters often can be seen swimming in the lake and the shoreline often hosts deer. Keep your binoculars out in the afternoon and you may catch a fleeting glance of a bobcat in the distance.

Don Pedro is often called a "Great activity lake, a total recreation area." You can dive into some great water sports of all kinds in the summer months, swim along with the fish in the clear water, take a hike on one of the many trails (don't forget to bring your camera) and the fishing is extra prime in the spring and fall Add in the spectacular scenery, sparkling water, and proximity to many area attractions and you have to admit that Don Pedro is one sweet location!

One lake, two great marinas

They are not that far from each other, 22 miles by land and only 14 miles by water, but the two marinas on Don Pedro Lake, Moccasin Point Marina and Lake Don Pedro Marina , are worlds apart in many ways. You might think of it as a lake with split personalities where you can boat between worlds.

Moccasin Point Marina
On one side of the lake you will find steep mountain walls covered with blue oak and bull pines. The area is often described as "remote solitude" and makes for a great getaway location. This "wooded side" of the lake is where you will find Moccasin Point Marina.

This full service marina features a full array of water toys, PWC's and small boats. Dropping by the marina for a social visit is a Don Pedro tradition. Stop by the snack bar for an afternoon ice cream cone and make some new friends in the process. The grocery store stocks the basics including vanilla ice cream AND chocolate syrup. (bring your own if you want anything fancier than that) . The town of Sonora is a 12 mile drive away and has a Safeway if you need to grab some major supplies.

Check out Woods Creek, less than an hour by boat from the marina. There you will find beaches and enough space to anchor several houseboats. It's also protected and has a 5 mph wake zone with typically smooth water.

You may also want to try out Wreck Bay, the only "boat-in campsite" on the lake, and only 90 minutes by houseboat. Wreck Bay has a nice grassy area, is popular with families and is perfect for setting up outside games for the kids.

Lake Don Pedro Marina
On the other side of the lake, the terrain "flattens out" and gently follows the slopes of the surrounding rolling farmland. The wide open spaces and rolling hills make this a very "shore friendly" area for houseboaters. Take your pick, sandy or rocky, there are so many to choose from and plenty of space for everyone.

Located two hours east of Sacramento, Lake Don Pedro Marina offers you houseboats ranging from 50' to 59', slip rentals, ski boats, deck cruisers and personal watercraft rentals. Stop by the gift shop, general store and snack bars for an ice cream cone (it's a tradition here too) or take a dip in the swim lagoon with new friends.

You will find that the sunsets on this side of the lake can be particularly spectacular because of the wide open vistas. As one local put it, "from practically any vantage, the sunsets are awesome, so awesome..."

Check out Gardiner Falls in the upper bay, about 90 minutes by houseboat from the marina. The waterfall, which drops 20 to 30 feet, is an extremely popular spot to visit by powerboat or anchor a houseboat nearby. You may find the best part about Gardiner Falls, as one local put it, is that this is "Just the kind of place you should expect to meet other boaters."

One lake, two marinas, and some great people
So take some time this season and meet the people who bring it all together at Don Pedro Lake. Whichever marina you choose, you'll be visiting one community and they promise you a warm, golden California welcome with hospitality matched by none.

See you on the water!

Yosemite

Drive about an hour from either of the marinas at Don Pedro Lake and you will soon arrive at the main gates to one of America's first and most popular wilderness areas, Yosemite National Park .

With over 1100 square miles full of giant sequoias, grand meadows, deep glacial valleys, majestic granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and protected wildlife, this popular destination would make a great companion trip before of after your time houseboating on Don Pedro.

Yosemite Valley is the usual destination for first time visitors to the park. There, in one small valley, sit several of the most famous iconic Yosemite landmarks, just waiting to take you back into time, back to nature - and while some might say that a day is not really enough time to "do Yosemite," you will find that this glacially formed valley is sure a great place to start!

Once you have arrived, discover how easy logistics are here. Yosemite Village hosts parking, shops, dining facilities, lodging, trails & walking paths, and is the hub of the free tram system to the most popular sights. Park your car, relax, and let someone else do the driving.

One popular stop on the tram route will bring you to a short trail leading up to Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. Walk right up to the railing if you dare (you might not want to get too close... unless you need a shower). Another stop will bring you to the trail to Mirror Lake. The name, Mirror Lake, will become evident as you peer up at Half Dome and see its reflection in the water below.

Look up at the ever present granite monolith of Half Dome, known worldwide as an icon of the park. You may want to skip a tram stop or two and just walk along the trails. Breath in the fresh air and gaze up at the tall redwoods all around you. You may find that walking these trails is the best part of your visit. Don't "walk too loudly" as the locals like to say, you might scare off the deer and other wildlife that call this valley home (bears too!).

You don't have to do it all yourself either. Guided ranger walks and programs occur all season long and can be researched in advance in the Official Yosemite Guide. If you are thinking about staying in Yosemite Valley for an night or two, however, keep in mind that accommodation inside the park itself is very limited and should be reserved in advance. Have a great trip!

Visit NPS.gov/yose for more information about Yosemite National Park, a true American treasure!

Simple Pleasure... Hidden Treasure

Step into the past and visit Columbia State Historic Park, a year round getaway just minutes from Don Pedro Lake, and treat yourself to the best preserved gold rush town in California.

Located 15 miles from Mocassin Point Marina and 27 miles from Lake Don Pedro Marina, Columbia is a perfect stopover on the way to Yosemite. You can "do it in a day" and most people describe the place as "something totally different".

Why not stop in and stay for the night. Enjoy the charm of the authentically restored (well, the mattresses are new ) Columbia City Hotel, a charming, reasonably priced, 19th Century Country Inn. Relax "for a few" on your own balcony and watch the world go by.

After you are all rested up, shimmy up to the bar in the "What Cheer Saloon" and order up a glass of the the house specialty, the "Columbia Gold". Try a glass of wine from one of the 60 local wineries in the area (who needs Napa). And...don't forget to try your hand at gold panning, a real hit with the kids (big kids too.) You might just strike it rich! After dinner in the saloon, check out a show at the "Fallon Theatre."

Whatever you do, there's a lot going on in Columbia!

Learn more about Columbia State Historic Park

Watch the YouTube video

Healthy Houseboating on America's favorite Waterways

"Build it --- and they will float." And swim, and fish, and sleep, and eat, and laugh, and of course, play. Sound familiar?

When you step onto a "healthy houseboat" in the Forever Resorts fleet, rest assured that these floating 'green' hotels were specifically designed not only for your comfort, but for maximum safety and minimal environmental impact as well.

A few facts:
Forever Resort houseboats are powered by Evinrude "Ultra Low" emission outboard engines. They are modified to use LED lighting in place of incandescent lights, reducing both heat and energy costs. Smoked glass windows, ceiling fans, and special interior carpeting help the environmental mission along with low-flow shower heads. There are even solar panels on some models.

"We go to great lengths to guarantee durability, form, and function - a home on the water that not only looks better, but works better too," says Matt Harvey of Fun Country Marine Industries, builders of these specialty watercraft. "We exceed standards wherever we can because we're in the business of helping people relax on board our boats."

With 500 such watercraft already constructed, the Indiana boat building company has been recognized for its professionalism. "This Hoosier business is a model for others and proof positive that sound safety and environmental management is simply good for business," said Governor Mitch Daniels, noting the firm "goes beyond basic requirements of the law to voluntarily eliminate wastes, preserve resources and protect the environment."

History
You may remember that industry standards and building methodologies changed after houseboat-related carbon monoxide problems made headlines in the late 1990s. "Incidents were related to areas around the rear swim platform where gasoline- powered generator exhaust collected," according to US. Department of Interior and Coast Guard investigators.

Change
Forever Resorts and Fun Country Marine quickly responded, conducting on-water testing of new SafeCO generators manufactured to do the job of generating needed electricity while eliminating CO risks. Praised by both the Coast Guard and the National institute for Occupational Safety and Health for the measures to enhance houseboat safety, the generators with stack exhaust are now standard installation.

"Our 'green' houseboat building involves a lot more than just the carbon monoxide efforts," said Harvey. "Our boats are certified by the National Marine Manufacturing Association and are built to the specifications of the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Boat and Yacht Council."

"Building safe boats for an environmentally-conscious company like Forever Resorts has turned out to be a fantastic partnership," said Harvey. "We go to great lengths to guarantee durability, form, and function --- a home on the water that not only looks better, but works better too."