View ON the Lake

We had the opportunity recently to go ON Lake Tahoe with our friends who have a 19 -foot pleasure boat. There is a heck-of-a lot to know about owning and operating a boat.  I had no idea.  Even the vocabulary was sort of new- port, (left side), starboard (right side,) bow, (front,) and stern, (back.)  I guess a good reason for the boat direction words must be so there is no confusion  should Moby Dick show up.

Our friends invited us out on their boat twice. One day we went to a place called Skunk Harbor.  You can’t get there, unless you’re in a boat.  Along the shore, are the ruins of a 1920’s era estate.  Imagining the ‘upper crust,’ lolling around in a home they probably considered ‘roughing it,’ was great fun to think about.

Another day we went to Secret Cove.  Here are cabins from the same era that have been ‘grandfathered in.’ No other homes can be built there now because it is US Forest Service land.  They are cozy old-fashioned cabins that must remain exactly as they are.  The grandsons and daughters of the original owners are not permitted to alter them in any way.  No modern plumbing, no modernizing of kitchens.  It is an area frozen in time.

Both times we went, our friends anchored the boat and we dove in for some swimming.  Lake Tahoe is very clear, so even swimming in 12 feet of water, the bottom is easy to see, and the water was nice and warm.

On our second trip, I felt a bit like we had gotten stuck an episode of Gilligan’s Island.  As we were swimming around, enjoying the sunshine….

            “The weather started getting rough,
            The tiny ship was tossed,
            If not for the courage of the fearless crew
            The Minnow would be lost, the Minnow would be lost.”

Out of the blue, the wind picked up, the waves started getting larger, and we hurried back. The boat pitched and rolled and it was a lot like being on a water ride at an amusement park.  Thankfully, I didn’t get sea sick, but if it had taken much longer, I think I would have.  It was comforting to be in the hands of our friend who is an experienced sailor!  In fact, one of the many interesting things he’s done in his life, was to work as a fisherman on the Bering Sea- just like on the show Deadliest Catch. 

So our days ON the lake were memorable, and loads of fun.