Summer In Full Swing!
There's plenty of cool water to play on this year. Sure, the depth may not be what it's been in the past, but who's looking down when you're hanging on for dear life as your tube hits a wave! Smiles, not depth, are what counts!
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Who's gonna be eating at your table?
On a big or small houseboat, setting the table is usually the easy part, but...
Do you fill the bowl with oranges and fresh fruit, or a bag of chips?
Do you use the dishes in the houseboat kitchen or break out the paper plates?
How about beverages? Paper or glass?
Do you serve up something grand in the kitchen or let your crew grill their own while you relax on the top deck?
Speaking of grill... What's it gonna be? Steak? Burgers? Dogs? Brats? How simple or extravagant do you want your houseboat vacation to be? The choice is yours.
Plans...
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The Eggo Controversy!
Last Month's Waterways featured a small article about a delicious, easy to prepare, lunch with shaved turkey and Havarti cheese, simply melted on top of a frozen toaster waffle, an eggo...
Well... the response was overwhelming! It seems that the toaster bagel had already gone from an emergency stand-in (for when the bread runs out) to a planned multi-course option item, essential on many houseboat vacations.
We stand corrected!
So... based on your "write-in" comments, we decided to try a few of the ideas. Hmmmm, not bad. More "fun" than outrageously delicious, but on a houseboat vacation, with kids, too much fun!
However... these "culinary concepts" still take a bit of planning! If you don't have the ingredients along, these ideas won't do you, or the kids, any good. So rather than show you the finished delicacies, here are a few ingredient based ideas:
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The Frozen Toaster Waffle
Soft Cheese:
Toasted and then smeared with soft cheese. These laughing Cow soft cheeses are perfect for an afternoon snack or a sunset hors d'oeuvre. (It just seemed so appropriate to stick that bit of French in.) The wedges are individually wrapped, which is great for passing around, and the packages are even the same size of an.... you guessed it, an eggo!
Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter:
The most frequent comment has been "what about peanut butter?"
Well, that's a good point. This is reportedly a great afternoon snack between jet ski runs... a toasted waffle, smeared with crunchy peanut butter, while you're keeping watch on the top deck. (Add bananas & honey for an Elvis effect!)
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Not Just for Breakfast
Eggo Pizza:
Originally conceived in a desperate, last minute attempt to scrounge up something, anything for dinner, this accidental dinner concept has become a tradition with many houseboating families!
Cheese, diced olives, tomato paste (or ketchup if you're desperate) and pop it all in the oven. Prefer a crispy crust? Then toast the waffle first, then add the ingredients, and then bake it all together. This is definitely a top-shelf oven item!
Of course, if you remember to bring real maple syrup, you can warm the bottle in the houseboat microwave, toast the waffle, and then head up to the top deck for a first class breakfast!
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Don't Forget The Easy Stuff!
Like granola bars... just throw 'em in a bowl and watch 'em disappear!
Here are a few other easy items you shouldn't forget:
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Summer Fun
Popsicles:
You will run out if you have kids along.
Nuts:
Everyone goes nuts for nuts! Take a variety of extra large sizes. Try a trail mix too. Lots of protein for a hungry crew!
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The Easy Way!
Fish Shaped Mac-n-Cheese:
Don't just serve regular mac-n-cheese. This is the only shape to dish out for a hungry crew on a houseboat vacation!
Instant Oatmeal:
Hot water, a bowl, and a spoon. Easy!
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"Let's get this thing launched!" |
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It's never too early to start planning, especially if there's a special event and your schedule's not flexible.
Callville Bay Marina, on Lake Mead, and less than an hour from the glittering lights of Las Vegas, is now available for all dates in 2015. All houseboat models too!
Check out all of the 2015 options now, and don't get left in someone else's wake!
Check out your dates here.
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Free Entrance Days
in the National Parks!
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Did you know that there are 401 national parks in the USA?
Most of them do not even have an entrance fee. (268 in fact)
But for the 133 that do, there are some special dates this year when the entrance fees will be waived:
August 25
National Park Service Birthday
September 27
National Public Lands Day
November 11
Veterans Day
Get the whole story here!
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Just In Case...
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Earplugs? Really? Well, it's better to have 'em along and not need 'em than need 'em and not have 'em. Kids? Teens? Snoring crew?
A whole box is usually less than five bucks... and who doesn't like blue in their ears anyway?
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Portside Musing |
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What you thought it would be is often times not what it ends up being. Like the eggo, you thought it was just for breakfast, but it ended up being so much more. Houseboat vacations are like an eggo too, you think they will be one thing and they always end up being so much more... |
May 2014 Edition |
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