Houseboat vacations: for a relaxing time afloat, rent a nautical "condo" and explore some of the nation's great waterways

Travel America, May-June, 2003 by Ellen Clark

Houseboats are ideal for family vacations, but if swimming and water sports are a priority, pick a time of year when the water is a comfortable temperature. Even the "It won't be too cold for me" 12-year-old on our trip revised his opinion after dipping only one foot in the icy water. Conversely, the off-seasons can offer more comfortable temperatures for hiking and cruising.

Houseboating can be as leisurely or frenetic as you choose. We spent one day hiking around the spectacular red-rocked mesas and buttes that give Lake Powell's shoreline that other-worldly appearance. Another day we took the power boat to Rainbow Natural Bridge, the largest span of its kind in the world. But by late afternoon we were snuggled into a quiet cove with a cold drink watching the sunset. And evenings were spent barbecuing chicken and hamburgers, continuing our gin rummy marathon, reading, and reveling in the quiet.

Houseboating definitely lived up to my expectations. Floating along in our nautical condo, with practically all the comforts of home, was a great way to enjoy some spectacular scenery and spend quality time with friends.

HOUSEBOAT RENTALS

FOR INFORMATION ON THE WORLD of houseboating, contact the following experts:

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, 100 Lakeshore Drive, Page, AZ 86040; (800) 528-6154; www.lakepowell.com. This company rents various sized houseboats from four marinas on Lake Powell in Arizona and Utah.

Forever Resorts, P.O. Box 52038, Phoenix, AZ 85072; (800) 255-5561; www.foreverresorts.com. This company rents houseboats on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave in Nevada; California's Sacramento Delta, Lake Don Pedro, and Trinity Lake; Lake Amistad in Texas; and Table Rock Lake and Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

Seven Crown Resorts, P.O. Box 16247, Irvine, CA 92623-6247; (800)752-9669; www.sevencrown resorts.com. This company serves Lake Shasta and the Sacramento Delta in California, Lake Mohave in Arizona-Nevada, and Lake Mead in Nevada.