Lake Mohave, NV - Family Fun Afloat

Forever Houseboat 413
Fishing in pjs
Carving the beast

Playing checkers
Hiking
Putting a puzzle together

End of the day
hot tubbing
Campfire

One of the best ways to enjoy the water is on a houseboat and houseboating in the desert is an especially unique adventure. John and I met up with several family members in Las Vegas, went grocery shopping, packed up the vehicles, and headed south through the Mohave Desert to Cottonwood Cove, one of the many properties of owned by Forever Resorts. When I caught a glimpse of our 70-foot houseboat from the top of the hill my first thought was, "I hope we return it in one piece!" The houseboat had four bedrooms, two baths, a hot tub, satellite TV, fully equipped kitchen, and plenty of space for the seven of us.

Happily, we opted to board the night before debarkation. After dinner we all watched the orientation video - even the grandchildren. The next morning after a hearty breakfast that included a family camping favorite – fried dough rolled in cinnamon and sugar – and, with a stuffed turkey in the oven, Mark, the marina man gave us operating instructions and piloted us out to open waters. We headed up the Colorado River toward Hoover Dam. Lake Mohave is part of the Lake Mead Recreational Area and the lake below the dam. The amazing landscape of barren rock in shades of browns and purples against the deep blue sky and the blue black of the river held our attention as we looked for the perfect cove to call home for the night.

They say driving a houseboat is not much different than driving a car. That may be the case but our car is not 70-feet long and 22-feet high, plus our car has brakes. However, the river is wider than the highway and John soon had things under control. Later in the day we found the perfect spot and tied up in Owl Point Cove. It was low season so were the only people there. We liked it that way. There are so many coves that even during the peak season it is possible to find a secluded cove.

Securely tied, the captain gave the orders of the day to the grandchildren. "Build a fire ring here in the sand then you can play Columbus and go exploring." Thus began several days of family fun and bonding. The sun was warm, the nights were cool, the variety of things to do were many. Even though the waters were too cold for swimming the grandchildren, Jenna and JJ, became member of the Polar Bear Club on New Year’s Day with a very short dip in the frigid Lake Mohave. Quickly they exited the water, rushed up the ladder to the top deck where their Uncle Jim had the hot tub ready. Each morning, still in their PJs, the grandchildren fished off the back of the boat. Drowning bait was more like it.

Each day included at least one exploration hike. Once we scrambled up the hill it was easy walking along the ridge. We even caught site of some wild burros. We put a puzzle together, played checkers, read, thoroughly relaxed and ate too much.

Each night we made a campfire and spent time in the hot tub marveling at the amazing number of stars in the black sky with no artificial lights to wash away some of the fainter stars.
An interesting side note to Forever Houseboats is that they are "green." Most of the boat is made of recyclable material. And, all the facilities have been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible.