Where Did The Year Go?

The lakes are getting very quiet, ghostly quiet, and Halloween is this Friday!

Keep Your Deck Clean... With Rocks!

Take a look at this "messy" front deck. There are shoes, flip flops, and even a water bottle "messing it up." Notice what's really missing? Mud, sand and dirt!
(Note: This picture was taken after a three day weekend, with three couples and six kids... anchored at this muddy, sandy, beach location)

How did they do it?

Rocks, that's how! Here's an unbelievably simple, super, spectacular, insider's tip for keeping your houseboat deck clean.

If you've beached your houseboat close enough to step off the ladder into shallow water, but not close enough to step off the ladder onto dry sand, then this might just be the tip for avoiding a muddy messy deck that you've been waiting for.

Place some smooth rocks, in the water, right under your ladder. (You'll be amazed at how this works.) When you step on the rocks before lifting your foot out of the water, the sand will literally "wash" off your feet as you step out of the water and up to the ladder! (Don't forget to put the rocks back before you leave too)

Who's Looking At Who?

Don't look too fast as you boat along the shore, or relax on the top deck sipping a cool beverage. You never know who or what might be looking back at you! (Also a great reason to bring along a good pair of binoculars on your next trip!)

Let Someone Else... Do The Shopping!

Think about it. You step on to your houseboat and there it is... all lined up on the counter... your food, your snacks, your beverages... It's all there... waiting.

Open the refrigerator and the story is the same, it's all there too. Eggs on the top shelf, steaks and burgers below. Milk, butter cheese, yogurt and salsa on the door, and produce in the bins.

This is true luxury and depending on the time of the year and the marina you're launching from, there may be a shopping option for you too!

Take Lake Powell for instance. The choices range from a large company like Safeway.com to a mother daughter operation called lakepowellgroceries.com. You choose the food, they do the shopping.

Some houseboaters have even been known to order steaks, burgers, pies & brats from companies like Omaha Steaks and have it all delivered to the marina.
(Careful with that one however... it can be risky with delivery timing.)

The best advice, if you're thinking about a shopping service, is to check in with your specific marina and ask their opinion. They will know who tends to run late, who is not operating during the shoulder season, and who has the best value.

Happy Houseboating!