Lake House - The National Tour
07-19-2012, 01:59 PM
#1
Lake House - The National Tour
Having always wanted to own a lake house, I came up with an idea for a search. Not sure when I'll take on this endeavor (year or three?), but I figured I may as well get some input and start putting together a list.
What I would like to do is tow the boat cross country and spend a weekend or week on each lake we visit. Leave the boat in storage on site at the lake, fly back in a few weeks, and keep trucking to the next lake. For obvious reasons, the list will have to be somewhat short.
I am somewhat familiar with some California lakes and have rented houses at several. I'm not married to California and would like to venture out and see what else is out there. I have rented at Nacimiento, Almanor, and Tulloch in California. What other lakes with waterfront homes are here?
If you have a home on a lake or even visited some that you really like, let's hear about them. What are the pro's and con's of your lake? Climate? Water levels and fluctuation? Amenities? Property sizes (private and intimate or 3 inches from your neighbor?). Proximity to the "city." Winter activities? Give me the good and bad of your experience.
At some point I'll end up at the perfect lake and either pick up a house or a lot. Come to visit as often as we can and then maybe retire there.
What I would like to do is tow the boat cross country and spend a weekend or week on each lake we visit. Leave the boat in storage on site at the lake, fly back in a few weeks, and keep trucking to the next lake. For obvious reasons, the list will have to be somewhat short.
I am somewhat familiar with some California lakes and have rented houses at several. I'm not married to California and would like to venture out and see what else is out there. I have rented at Nacimiento, Almanor, and Tulloch in California. What other lakes with waterfront homes are here?
If you have a home on a lake or even visited some that you really like, let's hear about them. What are the pro's and con's of your lake? Climate? Water levels and fluctuation? Amenities? Property sizes (private and intimate or 3 inches from your neighbor?). Proximity to the "city." Winter activities? Give me the good and bad of your experience.
At some point I'll end up at the perfect lake and either pick up a house or a lot. Come to visit as often as we can and then maybe retire there.
07-19-2012, 03:11 PM
#2
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You can sort of do what you are talking about...
...with one stop and many returns.
Lake Ontario has many different faces. You could tow to Rochester and start heading east! Many things of interest; New York Canal System, Oswego, Sackets Harbour, St Lawrence River (many villages, towns, cities of interest), Rideau system. There are enough interesting places and waters it would be easy for this to last as long as you want it to.
Go east on the south side and west on the north side (as an example).
Another advantage... there are a number of members of OSO along the way who can direct you towards marinas, cabins, lodges... whatever you want.
There are enough activities in the area you could attend one, go home and be back for another and still have plenty of time to "explore". Example... the Clayton Boat Museum Regatta & Show, the A-Bay Poker Run.
If you like it and want to do it again, you can move from one Inland Ocean to another. I do not know Superior, but all the others are very interesting.
Just a thought!
Lake Ontario has many different faces. You could tow to Rochester and start heading east! Many things of interest; New York Canal System, Oswego, Sackets Harbour, St Lawrence River (many villages, towns, cities of interest), Rideau system. There are enough interesting places and waters it would be easy for this to last as long as you want it to.
Go east on the south side and west on the north side (as an example).
Another advantage... there are a number of members of OSO along the way who can direct you towards marinas, cabins, lodges... whatever you want.
There are enough activities in the area you could attend one, go home and be back for another and still have plenty of time to "explore". Example... the Clayton Boat Museum Regatta & Show, the A-Bay Poker Run.
If you like it and want to do it again, you can move from one Inland Ocean to another. I do not know Superior, but all the others are very interesting.
Just a thought!
07-19-2012, 03:18 PM
#3
...with one stop and many returns.
Lake Ontario has many different faces. You could tow to Rochester and start heading east! Many things of interest; New York Canal System, Oswego, Sackets Harbour, St Lawrence River (many villages, towns, cities of interest), Rideau system. There are enough interesting places and waters it would be easy for this to last as long as you want it to.
Go east on the south side and west on the north side (as an example).
Another advantage... there are a number of members of OSO along the way who can direct you towards marinas, cabins, lodges... whatever you want.
There are enough activities in the area you could attend one, go home and be back for another and still have plenty of time to "explore". Example... the Clayton Boat Museum Regatta & Show, the A-Bay Poker Run.
If you like it and want to do it again, you can move from one Inland Ocean to another. I do not know Superior, but all the others are very interesting.
Just a thought!
Lake Ontario has many different faces. You could tow to Rochester and start heading east! Many things of interest; New York Canal System, Oswego, Sackets Harbour, St Lawrence River (many villages, towns, cities of interest), Rideau system. There are enough interesting places and waters it would be easy for this to last as long as you want it to.
Go east on the south side and west on the north side (as an example).
Another advantage... there are a number of members of OSO along the way who can direct you towards marinas, cabins, lodges... whatever you want.
There are enough activities in the area you could attend one, go home and be back for another and still have plenty of time to "explore". Example... the Clayton Boat Museum Regatta & Show, the A-Bay Poker Run.
If you like it and want to do it again, you can move from one Inland Ocean to another. I do not know Superior, but all the others are very interesting.
Just a thought!
07-19-2012, 03:38 PM
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If you have any interests beyond...
...driving fast, the area is a cornucopia of events and historic references. You can be a full blooded tourist or very relaxed and it works!
I have spent years and years there. Was well traveled both by water and by land. I have seen a catalogue of locations and I am sure I have barely touched much more than the surface.
Example: Brockville, Ontario. There is some history there, but the main thing for me was it is likely one of the friendliest places I have ever been; and I am very well traveled!
Would you use the Howard or something else?
I have spent years and years there. Was well traveled both by water and by land. I have seen a catalogue of locations and I am sure I have barely touched much more than the surface.
Example: Brockville, Ontario. There is some history there, but the main thing for me was it is likely one of the friendliest places I have ever been; and I am very well traveled!
Would you use the Howard or something else?
07-19-2012, 03:49 PM
#5
My main interest would be to explore a lake/region for everything it has to offer. From homesites to cultural events, history and climate, activities and the people.
Yes, I would take the Howard, and no, it doesn't have to be set on kill at all times. We actually enjoy cruising and taking in the scenery. Some of our best times have been idling through random channels seeing stuff we would have never known were there.
The ideal place would have that small town friendly neighbor feel to it without the meth lab next door. We've all been there, in a nice little lake town, and half of the locals are missing teeth and cooking meth while waiting for you to leave your stuff unatennded.
Yes, I would take the Howard, and no, it doesn't have to be set on kill at all times. We actually enjoy cruising and taking in the scenery. Some of our best times have been idling through random channels seeing stuff we would have never known were there.
The ideal place would have that small town friendly neighbor feel to it without the meth lab next door. We've all been there, in a nice little lake town, and half of the locals are missing teeth and cooking meth while waiting for you to leave your stuff unatennded.
07-19-2012, 05:10 PM
#6
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Texoma was an easy choice for us. Only lake within 2 hours from us with sand beaches. We pretty much drew a circle around the longest area we were willing to travel and picked the best lake.
What are the pro's and con's of your lake? Climate? Water levels and fluctuation? Amenities? Property sizes (private and intimate or 3 inches from your neighbor?). Proximity to the "city." Winter activities? Has all natural sand beaches with a roughly 2-3 mile stretch of islands. Also has rock cliffs. Sometimes you can find a white sand beach near the cliffs. Patrol is relatively conservative. Friendly to go-fast boats, no noise or speed laws. Wide open spans allow lots of room to open up for serious speeds. Lake level can fluctuate 40ft. Has one or two good bars/clubs......could use some work there, has about 5-6 different places to eat. Can boat April thru October. I boat thru the winter as well, but can get chilly and windy. Winters are mild. Some lots are closer than others, ours is within 50ft from neighbor, but I've seen bigger 1-5 acre lots. Its 1 hour from Dallas, 2 hours from OKC. Winter activities include horseback riding, hunting, fishing, offroading/atv riding, sailing, bird watching, gambling....(indian casino nearby). Can also go fan boating up and down the red river as well as other places, but watch out for gators.
What are the pro's and con's of your lake? Climate? Water levels and fluctuation? Amenities? Property sizes (private and intimate or 3 inches from your neighbor?). Proximity to the "city." Winter activities? Has all natural sand beaches with a roughly 2-3 mile stretch of islands. Also has rock cliffs. Sometimes you can find a white sand beach near the cliffs. Patrol is relatively conservative. Friendly to go-fast boats, no noise or speed laws. Wide open spans allow lots of room to open up for serious speeds. Lake level can fluctuate 40ft. Has one or two good bars/clubs......could use some work there, has about 5-6 different places to eat. Can boat April thru October. I boat thru the winter as well, but can get chilly and windy. Winters are mild. Some lots are closer than others, ours is within 50ft from neighbor, but I've seen bigger 1-5 acre lots. Its 1 hour from Dallas, 2 hours from OKC. Winter activities include horseback riding, hunting, fishing, offroading/atv riding, sailing, bird watching, gambling....(indian casino nearby). Can also go fan boating up and down the red river as well as other places, but watch out for gators.
07-20-2012, 12:18 PM
#7
Texoma sounds pretty nice. The islands are sand and easy to beach on? The waterfront dining is also a must. What's the point of living on the water if you can't take your boat to dinner?
One of my biggest gripes with California lakes that I have been to that offer waterfront housing is that lots of them are situated way, way up on the hill. Either that or they may be at the waters edge, on stilts, and then still soar up to 3 to 4 stories tall. Kind of ridiculous that you have to walk down 4 flights of stairs to the get to the boat. Even more fun doing that carrying an ice chest. The others are a steep and long hike down and up the hill.
I would imagine being happy on a nice level lot with a house set back 100' to 150' from the waters edge. Of course this would depend on water levels throughout the season. Location inside of a nice no wake zone or protected cove would be ideal as well.
One of my biggest gripes with California lakes that I have been to that offer waterfront housing is that lots of them are situated way, way up on the hill. Either that or they may be at the waters edge, on stilts, and then still soar up to 3 to 4 stories tall. Kind of ridiculous that you have to walk down 4 flights of stairs to the get to the boat. Even more fun doing that carrying an ice chest. The others are a steep and long hike down and up the hill.
I would imagine being happy on a nice level lot with a house set back 100' to 150' from the waters edge. Of course this would depend on water levels throughout the season. Location inside of a nice no wake zone or protected cove would be ideal as well.
07-20-2012, 01:29 PM
#8
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Texoma sounds pretty nice. The islands are sand and easy to beach on? The waterfront dining is also a must. What's the point of living on the water if you can't take your boat to dinner?
One of my biggest gripes with California lakes that I have been to that offer waterfront housing is that lots of them are situated way, way up on the hill. Either that or they may be at the waters edge, on stilts, and then still soar up to 3 to 4 stories tall. Kind of ridiculous that you have to walk down 4 flights of stairs to the get to the boat. Even more fun doing that carrying an ice chest. The others are a steep and long hike down and up the hill.
I would imagine being happy on a nice level lot with a house set back 100' to 150' from the waters edge. Of course this would depend on water levels throughout the season. Location inside of a nice no wake zone or protected cove would be ideal as well.
One of my biggest gripes with California lakes that I have been to that offer waterfront housing is that lots of them are situated way, way up on the hill. Either that or they may be at the waters edge, on stilts, and then still soar up to 3 to 4 stories tall. Kind of ridiculous that you have to walk down 4 flights of stairs to the get to the boat. Even more fun doing that carrying an ice chest. The others are a steep and long hike down and up the hill.
I would imagine being happy on a nice level lot with a house set back 100' to 150' from the waters edge. Of course this would depend on water levels throughout the season. Location inside of a nice no wake zone or protected cove would be ideal as well.
Last edited by TexomaPowerboater; 07-20-2012 at 01:47 PM.
07-23-2012, 02:41 PM
#10
The islands and around 70% of the shore are sand and you can beach on them in some places. Other places you'll have to anchor out 20-50 yards or so. Some shoreline is gradual, others are so steep you can dive off the shore. There are 4-6 waterfront restaurants. The lake can fluctuate 40ft if it floods so the homes have to be on a hill or they will flood. Its a 100 yard walk to the beach from our house, but the corp line is in our driveway. We use golfcarts. The beaches, huge main spans, and striper fishing are the best thing about the lake. Roughly an hour from dallas, yet feels like your in a tropical paradise. Pretty cheap too, not just the homes, but also the taxes.
What else is out there? How about some lesser known lakes that most of us never get to hear about?
