Houseboating with My Pirate Pals (plus San Diego and Sacramento)
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area is located 75 miles north of Sacramento, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The lake has 167 miles of tree-lined shore and is considered one of the best bass fisheries in the western United States; it is also home to Chinook salmon, catfish and rainbow trout. The earthen dam which formed the lake, built in 1968, was then the largest in the world. It is the second biggest reservoir in California, supplying water to the San Francisco Bay Area and is also the state’s chief watershed area.
For the past few years, we’ve taken our grandsons to Lake Orovillefor a day of cruising on a patio boat. This trip I had a clandestine caper planned, but kept it secret from the boys. Since the kids were fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, we would commandeer a houseboat. They should have suspected something was up when I asked them to pack their pirate gear, e.g., swords, skull and crossbones flag and water guns. The staff of Forever Resorts was happy to go along with my escapade. When we arrived at the park entrance, the ranger peered into the car and asked, “Is this the pirate crew we’ve heard about?” My grandsons looked quizzically at each other, smiled and nodded. We checked in at the Marinaand unloaded our supplies. My buccaneer buddies and I headed for the dock. Our son-in-law was our designated captain, so he snuck off to attend “Houseboating 101,” which provides an operational and safety lesson.
Meanwhile, the boys, led by me, began the adventure.As the staffer welcomed us to the patio boat, I called out to my gang, “Avast, me Hearteys, fly the flag, show our colors!” A mock look of concern crossed the face of our soon-to-be-prisoner. In a booming voice, I advised her to take us to the largest vessel. At the next pier a beautiful, two-story, 59-foot long houseboat awaited our boarding. “Take her, me Mateys,” I bellowed in my gruffest pirate voice followed by a vigorous “Aargh!” The children scrambled aboard with a mixed look of astonishment and amusement at my order. We explored the boat and the grandkids were amazed and delighted; eyes wide with wonder. We raised our pirate flag, shouted “Shiver me timbers” and toasted each other with apple juice. They couldn’t believe what we had done, but after the two oldest became concerned about walking the plank if caught,I had to let them in on the secret. We weren’t going for a few hours on a patio boat, but were about to spend an entire weekend on the very houseboat that we had “seized.”
The weekend was a delight: three days of sunning, reading, playing games, fishing, canoeing, hiking, exploring beaches, cruising inlets and coves, interspersed with cooking, barbecuing, cold beer and, of course, naps. The highlights of every day included swims in the lake, cannonballs off the side of the houseboat and zooming down the 10-foot high slide off the second deck into the water. The top wildlife experience was when we watched a bear cub swim across the lake and scamper along the shoreline. If a grandparent’s obligation is to provide good memories for their grandkids, mission accomplished.
All Things Related
The Lake Oroville State Recreation Area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including boating, camping, swimming, water skiing, picnicking, horseback riding and hiking. It is a popular bass fishing destination, hosting several tournaments each year.The recent rain has the lake water levels up substantially. The melting snowpack will also add significant amounts of water to the lake. As a result of the precipitation, the wildflowers are out early and in abundance. Visit their website at www.parks.ca.gov.
Trans-generational vacations are among the fastest growing market segments in travel. We found houseboating to be a perfect fit for us. It’s also a great way to travel with friends and share the expenses. Today’s houseboats are fuel efficient, have minimal impact on the environment, are easy to maneuver, well designed and very comfortable with all the features of home. Think of it as a floating condo fully equipped with bedrooms, full kitchen, TV, bathrooms with showers, satellite TV, plus safety features including GPS, life preservers and first aid kit; many are ADA accessible. The Lake Oroville Marina is managed by Forever Resorts (www.lakeorovillemarina.com). They rent ski boats, patio boats and floating campsites as well as houseboats. The facilities include a fuel dock and a convenience store for last minute needs, e.g., groceries, fishing tackle and license, bait, souvenirs and boating accessories. There is also a snack bar.
Forever Resorts has 11 different houseboat rental locations, including five in California, two each in and Nevada and Arizona and one each in Texas and Missouri; all dedicated to being “clean and green.” Nearly one third of houseboat trips are planned by first-timers, so try it. Special packages, rates and discounts are available. For further information and reservations logon to www.foreverresorts.com or call 1-800-255-5561.
Other news --
San Diego
The grunions are running! Sign up with the Birch Aquarium to observe the spawning of these mysterious fish. Following high tides May 14, 28 and 29, hundreds of the tiny silvery fish ride the waves ashore for an amazing mating ritual. Female grunion bury themselves in the sand to lay eggs while males wrap themselves protectively around the females to fertilize the eggs. Their tryst over, they catch a wave back to the Pacific. A lecture by Scripps naturalists is followed by an opportunity to observe grunion eggs hatch and continues with a beach exploration. The program is $12 per person, reservations are required and participants are advised to bring a flashlight and warm jacket. Call 1-858-534-7336 or logon to www.aquarium.ucsd.edu for more information.
Sacramento
The state capitol showcases two noteworthy events this month. On May 23, the 17th Annual Pacific Rim Street Festival will be held in Old Sacramento. It features Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Chinese and Thai foods along with acrobatics, Asian martial-arts, children’s activities and public health & career fairs. To learn more, visit www.pacificrimstreetfest.com. Over Memorial Day, the largest traditional jazz festival west of the Mississippi takes place at the 37th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival. Over 65 bands play and perform traditional jazz, blues, country and Zydeco. Information can be found at www.sacjazz.com or by calling 1-916-372-5277. For all travel information relating to Sacramento, log on to www.discovergold.org.
Thanks to the various websites for information. Before you go please check details, dates, hours, rates and availability; some restrictions may apply. Photos courtesy of Pirate Pals.
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Lake Oroville State Recreation Area is located 75 miles north of Sacramento, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The lake has 167 miles of tree-lined shore and is considered one of the best bass fisheries in the western United States; it is also home to Chinook salmon, catfish and rainbow trout. The earthen dam which formed the lake, built in 1968, was then the largest in the world. It is the second biggest reservoir in California, supplying water to the San Francisco Bay Area and is also the state’s chief watershed area.
Meanwhile, the boys, led by me, began the adventure.
The Lake Oroville State Recreation Area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including boating, camping, swimming, water skiing, picnicking, horseback riding and hiking. It is a popular bass fishing destination, hosting several tournaments each year.The recent rain has the lake water levels up substantially. The melting snowpack will also add significant amounts of water to the lake. As a result of the precipitation, the wildflowers are out early and in abundance. Visit their website at www.parks.ca.gov. 
The grunions are running! Sign up with the Birch Aquarium to observe the spawning of these mysterious fish. Following high tides May 14, 28 and 29, hundreds of the tiny silvery fish ride the waves ashore for an amazing mating ritual. Female grunion bury themselves in the sand to lay eggs while males wrap themselves protectively around the females to fertilize the eggs. Their tryst over, they catch a wave back to the Pacific. A lecture by Scripps naturalists is followed by an opportunity to observe grunion eggs hatch and continues with a beach exploration. The program is $12 per person, reservations are required and participants are advised to bring a flashlight and warm jacket. Call 1-858-534-7336 or logon to www.aquarium.ucsd.edu for more information.
The state capitol showcases two noteworthy events this month. On May 23, the 17th Annual Pacific Rim Street Festival will be held in Old Sacramento. It features Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Chinese and Thai foods along with acrobatics, Asian martial-arts, children’s activities and public health & career fairs. To learn more, visit www.pacificrimstreetfest.com. Over Memorial Day, the largest traditional jazz festival west of the Mississippi takes place at the 37th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival. Over 65 bands play and perform traditional jazz, blues, country and Zydeco. Information can be found at www.sacjazz.com or by calling 1-916-372-5277. For all travel information relating to Sacramento, log on to www.discovergold.org.
