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
Since Maureen and our daughter were off shopping in the San Francisco Bay Area, I took the opportunity to take Stella Maris out to Lake Mead for the weekend.
The day started off sunny and warm and then... It happened! The afternoon thunderstorms struck bringing winds roaring down the canyon I was anchored in.
Fortunately, I have spent enough time on these desert lakes to know what can happen.
I launched Stella Maris at the Temple Bar ramp on the Eastern side of the lake. As this is the furthest ramp from Las Vegas, it is the least used. That is what I was looking for. Solitude. No other boats or people.
I headed Northeast toward the southern end of the Grand Canyon. Years ago, we did this with a houseboat when the lake was full and actually made our way into the canyon. Today, that is not possible.
As I made my way through Virgin Canyon and out into Gregg Basin, I saw the telltale signs of what was in-store for the weather this afternoon. Big billowy clouds began to flatten out into an anvil. These are thunderstorms in the making. Now, it was time to start looking for a place to secure Stella Maris.
I cruised into a number of bays and inlets looking for the perfect spot. One that would give me protection from all sides. At last I cruised in Mesa Cove and there at the end, was a great location. The opening was protected by an island while, the other three sides by the steeps hills surrounding it. And, there were large boulders on shore with easy access.
I dropped the Rocna in 30 feet of water and set a scope of 6:1. I then ran two stern lines to shore attaching them to two massive boulders. Each was secure by wrapping a length of chain around the boulder.
The next step was to insure that everything aboard Stella Maris was secure including her dinghy. I was glad I had done so.
I sat in Stella Maris’s cockpit enjoying an after dinner Gin and Tonic as the clouds rolled in and the skies darkened around me. Then I heard it, the roar. It sounded like a freight train coming down the canyon at me.
The winds hit with a vengeance. I picked up my handheld Anemometer and clocked sustained winds at 52 MPH on Stella Maris’s stern! There is nothing more I can do at this time but wait it out. I have been through enough of these knowing they rarely last more than an hour. Will the lines hold is the only question you have to ask for that hour...
At last it was over. The rain had stopped the skies began to clear. By the time I went to bed at 9:30, the sky was filled with millions of stars.
That was until 11:30 when it all started over again. I was awaken by the sound of thunder. Lightening filled the sky. Rain pounded on the roof. I quickly leapt out of bed and closed the overhead hatches and windows. This time, the winds were blowing up canyon. Stella Maris was now taking them on the bow.
It was now time to see if the Rocna was properly set. Once I felt it was, I returned to bed. I lay listening to the rode stressing and squeaking on the bow roller. This was a reassuring sound. As long as it continued, I knew the Rocna had a good hold. Some how or another, in the middle of it all, I managed to fall back to sleep.
Morning brought crisp blue skies with billowy clouds in the distance. I spent the morning just relaxing in the bright warm sunshine and taking an occasional swim in the 85-degree water.
When it came time to head back to Temple Bar, I found out just how well the Rocna was set. I retrieved the stern lines first and then went to the bow. I pulled in the line until I was just about at the 30-foot marker. At this time, the line stopped coming up. I pulled with all of my strength and at last it came loose. It came to the surface with a large blob of thick grey mud still attached. It had done its job!
As I made my way back to the ramp, I ducked into a few bays to check out future anchorages.
This side of the lake is incredible for its beauty as well as the solitude. In two days, I saw just four other boats. All were what we call “day trippers”.
What a great life we lead!
The day started off sunny and warm and then... It happened! The afternoon thunderstorms struck bringing winds roaring down the canyon I was anchored in.
Fortunately, I have spent enough time on these desert lakes to know what can happen.
I launched Stella Maris at the Temple Bar ramp on the Eastern side of the lake. As this is the furthest ramp from Las Vegas, it is the least used. That is what I was looking for. Solitude. No other boats or people.
I headed Northeast toward the southern end of the Grand Canyon. Years ago, we did this with a houseboat when the lake was full and actually made our way into the canyon. Today, that is not possible.
As I made my way through Virgin Canyon and out into Gregg Basin, I saw the telltale signs of what was in-store for the weather this afternoon. Big billowy clouds began to flatten out into an anvil. These are thunderstorms in the making. Now, it was time to start looking for a place to secure Stella Maris.
I cruised into a number of bays and inlets looking for the perfect spot. One that would give me protection from all sides. At last I cruised in Mesa Cove and there at the end, was a great location. The opening was protected by an island while, the other three sides by the steeps hills surrounding it. And, there were large boulders on shore with easy access.
I dropped the Rocna in 30 feet of water and set a scope of 6:1. I then ran two stern lines to shore attaching them to two massive boulders. Each was secure by wrapping a length of chain around the boulder.
The next step was to insure that everything aboard Stella Maris was secure including her dinghy. I was glad I had done so.
I sat in Stella Maris’s cockpit enjoying an after dinner Gin and Tonic as the clouds rolled in and the skies darkened around me. Then I heard it, the roar. It sounded like a freight train coming down the canyon at me.
The winds hit with a vengeance. I picked up my handheld Anemometer and clocked sustained winds at 52 MPH on Stella Maris’s stern! There is nothing more I can do at this time but wait it out. I have been through enough of these knowing they rarely last more than an hour. Will the lines hold is the only question you have to ask for that hour...
At last it was over. The rain had stopped the skies began to clear. By the time I went to bed at 9:30, the sky was filled with millions of stars.
That was until 11:30 when it all started over again. I was awaken by the sound of thunder. Lightening filled the sky. Rain pounded on the roof. I quickly leapt out of bed and closed the overhead hatches and windows. This time, the winds were blowing up canyon. Stella Maris was now taking them on the bow.
It was now time to see if the Rocna was properly set. Once I felt it was, I returned to bed. I lay listening to the rode stressing and squeaking on the bow roller. This was a reassuring sound. As long as it continued, I knew the Rocna had a good hold. Some how or another, in the middle of it all, I managed to fall back to sleep.
Morning brought crisp blue skies with billowy clouds in the distance. I spent the morning just relaxing in the bright warm sunshine and taking an occasional swim in the 85-degree water.
When it came time to head back to Temple Bar, I found out just how well the Rocna was set. I retrieved the stern lines first and then went to the bow. I pulled in the line until I was just about at the 30-foot marker. At this time, the line stopped coming up. I pulled with all of my strength and at last it came loose. It came to the surface with a large blob of thick grey mud still attached. It had done its job!
As I made my way back to the ramp, I ducked into a few bays to check out future anchorages.
This side of the lake is incredible for its beauty as well as the solitude. In two days, I saw just four other boats. All were what we call “day trippers”.
What a great life we lead!