Stella Maris
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,500
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
- Vessel Name
- Destiny
We had planned to head out to what we call the “backside” of Lake Mead mid afternoon Friday. However, as sometimes it happens, work gets in the way.
By the time Maureen is able to break away, it is too late to head out. We opt instead to stay home and enjoy a couple of leisurely Gin and Tonics in our small garden and then just get up early Saturday morning and head out.
After a nice quiet evening in the garden, we rise at six on Saturday morning. I make a pot of coffee while Maureen gets the last minute items put together and then we dashed out the door.
Since we keep Stella Maris in a big climate controlled garage behind our townhome in Henderson, it is just a matter of minutes and we have her hooked up and are rolling down the highway.
Temple Bar is just a short 58-mile drive from our home. With no traffic, we arrive at the ramp just after eight. Once all was set, we slip Stella Maris into the water along with her dinghy.
With the truck parked and locked, we make our way out onto the main body of the lake. We turn south and head toward the Grand Canyon. Years ago, we were able to get a houseboat up into the northern end of the Canyon. No such luck with the lake being down 180 feet today.
After a few hours of cruising, we reach an area that we plan to anchor for the night. We visit a number of coves looking for just the right one. With the days getting shorter, we look for a cove that is not lined with steep canyon walls. We hope to have sunshine late into the day. Come summer, you look for those canyons with the high walls to give you shade by 3:00 allowing you to get out of the intense heat of the sun.
At last we locate a beautiful location at the back of Hualapai Bay. We take Stella Maris in deep and drop our stern anchor in six feet of water. I pay out 120 feet of line and then go to the bow. There, I drop our Rocna in and pay out 65 feet of line in ten feet of water.
I pull in 65 feet of line on the stern while at the same time, setting the bow anchor. With the soft mud bottom, it does not take much to set both hooks. With close to a 7:1 scope on the bow and 9:1 on the stern, we will be going nowhere!
With all secure, Maureen gets out her air mattress while I hop in the dinghy and head out to do some fishing. It is a wonderful afternoon of trolling for Small Mouth and Striped Bass. I manage to land a few while Maureen manages to get in some R,R&R (Resting, Reading, and Relaxing).
As the afternoon gives way to evening, the sun sets behind the surrounding hills. We sit in the cockpit enjoying an easy dinner while sipping on a cold Gin and Tonic. Before we know it, the moon is shining brightly overhead while millions of stars dance about. Bats scurry to and fro eating, any insect that was not smart enough to go away.
We wake Sunday morning just before the sun makes its way over the eastern ridge. I prepare the coffee while Maureen slumbers away. Once the coffee is ready, Maureen joins me in the cockpit. We just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the location. No other boats or sounds can be heard.
After breakfast I head out once again to do some fishing. This excites Maureen, as she knows that she has time to just sit and do nothing. I fish until the fish stop biting and then, head back to Stella Maris.
With the dinghy secure, we pull in the anchors. It is time to start making our way back to Temple Bar. We cruise at a slow 4.5 knots as we are in no rush to return home. In fact, if we had something to prepare for dinner as well as more Tonic to mix with our Gin, we would spend one more night and just pull out early Monday morning.
Since we are not able to spend another night, we decide that we will pull into Burro Bay, drop the hook for lunch, do a little more fishing and, a little more swimming. Just stretch the weekend as long as we can.
At last, it is time to head in. We arrive at the ramp and find no one there. It is deserted. I retrieve the truck and trailer. We load Stella Maris on the trailer and pull her out of the water. After a quick wipe down as well as lowering the mast, it is time to hit the road.
Another great weekend has come to an end.
What a great life we lead!
By the time Maureen is able to break away, it is too late to head out. We opt instead to stay home and enjoy a couple of leisurely Gin and Tonics in our small garden and then just get up early Saturday morning and head out.
After a nice quiet evening in the garden, we rise at six on Saturday morning. I make a pot of coffee while Maureen gets the last minute items put together and then we dashed out the door.
Since we keep Stella Maris in a big climate controlled garage behind our townhome in Henderson, it is just a matter of minutes and we have her hooked up and are rolling down the highway.
Temple Bar is just a short 58-mile drive from our home. With no traffic, we arrive at the ramp just after eight. Once all was set, we slip Stella Maris into the water along with her dinghy.
With the truck parked and locked, we make our way out onto the main body of the lake. We turn south and head toward the Grand Canyon. Years ago, we were able to get a houseboat up into the northern end of the Canyon. No such luck with the lake being down 180 feet today.
After a few hours of cruising, we reach an area that we plan to anchor for the night. We visit a number of coves looking for just the right one. With the days getting shorter, we look for a cove that is not lined with steep canyon walls. We hope to have sunshine late into the day. Come summer, you look for those canyons with the high walls to give you shade by 3:00 allowing you to get out of the intense heat of the sun.
At last we locate a beautiful location at the back of Hualapai Bay. We take Stella Maris in deep and drop our stern anchor in six feet of water. I pay out 120 feet of line and then go to the bow. There, I drop our Rocna in and pay out 65 feet of line in ten feet of water.
I pull in 65 feet of line on the stern while at the same time, setting the bow anchor. With the soft mud bottom, it does not take much to set both hooks. With close to a 7:1 scope on the bow and 9:1 on the stern, we will be going nowhere!
With all secure, Maureen gets out her air mattress while I hop in the dinghy and head out to do some fishing. It is a wonderful afternoon of trolling for Small Mouth and Striped Bass. I manage to land a few while Maureen manages to get in some R,R&R (Resting, Reading, and Relaxing).
As the afternoon gives way to evening, the sun sets behind the surrounding hills. We sit in the cockpit enjoying an easy dinner while sipping on a cold Gin and Tonic. Before we know it, the moon is shining brightly overhead while millions of stars dance about. Bats scurry to and fro eating, any insect that was not smart enough to go away.
We wake Sunday morning just before the sun makes its way over the eastern ridge. I prepare the coffee while Maureen slumbers away. Once the coffee is ready, Maureen joins me in the cockpit. We just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the location. No other boats or sounds can be heard.
After breakfast I head out once again to do some fishing. This excites Maureen, as she knows that she has time to just sit and do nothing. I fish until the fish stop biting and then, head back to Stella Maris.
With the dinghy secure, we pull in the anchors. It is time to start making our way back to Temple Bar. We cruise at a slow 4.5 knots as we are in no rush to return home. In fact, if we had something to prepare for dinner as well as more Tonic to mix with our Gin, we would spend one more night and just pull out early Monday morning.
Since we are not able to spend another night, we decide that we will pull into Burro Bay, drop the hook for lunch, do a little more fishing and, a little more swimming. Just stretch the weekend as long as we can.
At last, it is time to head in. We arrive at the ramp and find no one there. It is deserted. I retrieve the truck and trailer. We load Stella Maris on the trailer and pull her out of the water. After a quick wipe down as well as lowering the mast, it is time to hit the road.
Another great weekend has come to an end.
What a great life we lead!