Boat Trailers Organization

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!!, COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!!

What the heck? There’s a rooster in the office? Wait, where am I? I slowly wake up from what has obviously been a dream, perhaps even a nightmare. Monday morning, November 15th, 2004, 5:45 am, Boca Sierpe, Costa Rica. Maybe it was the dream but I jump up with a feeling of peace and tranquility knowing I am at home in my little casita in the boca.

Yes, it was roosters crowing at the break of dawn which is a very pleasant way to be woken up. It’s a quarter to six and fairly light out. I hear the waves crashing in the boca (mouth of the river), birds of many varieties each singing their special morning song. Howler monkeys are nearby in the jungle making sounds like huge espresso machines. I stand in awe as I look out the front windows at the ocean with its deep blues and whiter than white whitecaps. There is a huge cumulus cloud out over the ocean with the sun catching the top bringing out pink and blue tones along with the huge white billowing puffs. Ahh, this is the life. It’s too hard to roast my own coffee here but Costa Rica has the best coffee in the world so it isn’t a problem. I boil water that comes through a hose about a half mile away from a fresh mountain stream. I have a ceramic filter I run it through before boiling, but the locals drink it straight. I step out on the porch dressed in only a pair of shorts and a tee shirt to sip my freshly brewed coffee.

I see my care taker German (pronounced Herman) pulling the canoe to the water’s edge with two red tanks of gas in it. He looks up to verify that I’m up and at it and will be heading up river soon. Two giant Scarlet Macaws swoop in to eat the sea almonds we intentionally plant to draw them in. The sun is shining and the brightness of the reds, blues and yellows of these gigantic parrots is glorious. Their song, however, is like the screech of a large black crow back in the Midwest. Still, we love seeing them and do what we can to make them feel welcome. It’s Monday and I’m as anxious for the commute as I am to be at work. A quick shower, shave and bowl of oatmeal with bananas from a tree out back and I’m ready to go to work. I’m in my work clothes; shorts, golf shirt and Tevas with boat key in hand. A kiss for my darling and the usual “don’t be late honey”, “no of course not” and I start down the windy cement sidewalk to the white sand beach below.

Herman welcomes me with a smile that shows the gold in his teeth and brightens the beach. He always seems happy to see me which is a very good thing. He shakes my hand (”WE SHAKE HANDS HERE” - a Crazy Mark favorite saying) and says Buenos Dias Don Jim. We ask each other how we are as we climb into the little fiberglass canoe. The canoe is still on the beach and he is telling me to get in so as not to get wet but I help him until I at least have my sandals wet. My backpack and notebook computer are in my waterproof bag just in case we should tip on the short canoe trip to the boat. We put the two gas cans and waterproof bag into the 18 foot fiberglass boat that is tethered in an eddy just off the beach. I thank Herman and we say goodbye.

I hook up the gas, trim the motor down, start the engine, pull up the anchor, untie the rope from the buoy and begin the 40 minute commute up the Sierpe River. My commute begins at the mouth of the Sierpe River where we have a little house on a hill overlooking the river and the ocean. I work in Sierpe, a quaint little Costa Rican river town about 15 miles up river. I work helping others find the paradise I have found and have come to love. It is a great job as I am able to help Costa Ricans transition from small farm owners to more comfortable living in their golden years. I also help others, similar to myself, find a peace we didn’t know existed. When I can find a buyer and seller, everyone is happy which is a rewarding feeling.

Back to my 40 minute commute. I power up and head up river at a fairly slow speed as there are still swells from the ocean in the river at this point which make for a rough ride at high speeds. A look to the right I see Crazy Mark readying his boat perhaps to go to Drake Bay. We exchange a healthy wave but are too far apart to exchange condolences. I have missed all the rocks which I managed to find with my old propeller and start to accelerate.

Ahead there is a small boat without a motor and two men seemingly adrift. One of the men is waving a white cloth of some type. As I approach I see it is Reynaldo my neighbor in the boat with his son. Reynaldo raises great bananas and trades them with me for rides to and from town. Today it is his son who needs a ride to work. We shake hands, ask each other how everything is and the son climbs into my boat.

The river has many sand bars, all of which call me by my first name from the meetings we have had. I have nudged all of them at one time or another. I avoid them this morning and round the first big corner of the river. Ahead the water is flat calm reflecting three ranges of beautiful lush green Costa Rican Mountains. Birds scurry into the mangroves where they think I can’t see them. Some people can name each species but I just know they are neat looking birds. We hug the south shore of the river to avoid contact with a large sandbar not far from shore.

We are coming up on a long covered dock that comes out of the mangroves to the river’s edge then has a staircase down to the flats. Jorge who has lived there for years is doing a little repair on his dock but takes time out to smile and exchange a hearty wave. Around the next corner Melvin is walking from his house and spots us cruising by. He also smiles as we each wave as if to say: “Hello my friend”.

We are still the first boat on the flat calm river surrounded by mangroves backed by rolling hills and mountains in the distance. You could not paint a more peaceful, tranquil, beautiful picture as the Sierpe River in the early morning. We sail past the Rio Sierpe Lodge where there doesn’t seem to be any action yet. The owner, another Mark, moved here from Iowa 20 some years ago has been running the Lodge ever since.

At the end of the straight stretch we duck into a small channel to take advantage of a short cut only usable at three quarters to high tide. I always pretend I’m super boat captain here and go just a little faster than I probably should. The channel narrows to a point where two boats can barely pass and of course if you only meet one boat the whole way, this is were you will meet them. The narrow channel wanders through the mangrove giving you the feeling of a tunnel. It is a spectacular scene of quiet solitude which brings out tourists cameras faster than Matt Dillon could have drawn his six shooter.

Back out into the main river which is wide but none the less magnificent. The first boat of the morning commute appears ahead coming our way. As it nears I can tell by the shape of the boat along with the green canopy, it is Chicho a long time boat captain and Sierpe resident. As we pass each other we wave and smile. He has no passengers in his boat so he is more than likely off to Drake Bay or somewhere to pick up passengers. When I first came to Sierpe nearly 20 years ago Chicho took me fishing in both the river and ocean. He is a cautious and expert boat captain who knows the river, boca and ocean from a lifetime of navigating them.

Soon the river has flattened out and is once again smooth as glass. As we round the next bend we see a thousand white egrets that have come from various locations to roost in the branches of the mangrove trees hanging out over the river. It must be time for them to go off in search of food as they all take to the air creating a scene which is breathtaking. They fly along in front of the boat for just a minute before peeling off in several directions. Reynaldo’s son signals this is where he would like to be let off so we pull over to the shore at an opening. As always, he offers to pay for the ride and as always I refuse any cash, we shake hands again and he disappears into the jungle.

As I throttle up I see a small hand hewn dugout canoe under a branch of a mangrove tree. The man is fishing with a hand line for red snapper a culinary favorite of the local population. When he casts a glance in my direction I give the customary wave which is returned with enthusiasm. There is an unwritten law of the river that if any boat has a problem you stop to see what help you can offer. Several years ago I was going fishing and the motor on the boat I had hired conked out halfway down the river. I had been looking forward to fishing and knew the motor repair would take many hours, cutting my fishing day in half. The first boat going up river stopped, helped the boat captain remove the incapacitated motor, throw it in their boat, tie our motorless boat in the shade and took off up river. Within 45 minutes our boat captain (Chicho by the way) was back with a different motor, installed it and we were on our way to a great day of fishing. The whole thing took only an hour because people helped people with out any hesitation.

Ahead I see the telltale sign of a crocodile. Two little bumps moving across the river leaving a little wake. As I approach there is an enormous splash as if someone had dropped a bowling ball out of an airplane, and the 6 foot crock has submerged. Just beyond where I see the crock there is a family of white faced monkeys moving from branch to branch jumping swinging and watching me to make certain I am not here to hurt them.

Boat ahead! I see a boat loaded with 7 people heading up river. The tiny 4 horsepower motor barely keeps the boat moving. With the weight of the 7 passengers, the water is about two inches from the gunnel which confirms that I do not want to make a large wake. I slow down to a speed just faster than theirs to avoid swamping them. Before I can wave, they all wave simultaneously as if to say: Thank you and good morning. I am now just ten minutes from Sierpe, they are probably forty-five.

WOW! Rush hour traffic, there is another boat ahead. This is a larger boat and it is stopped near the river bank. I see by the boat it is Carlos the nature tour guide with a group of tourists each with either binoculars or a cameras pointing in the same direction. Carlos has spotted a three toed sloth high in a tree and they are all glued to it with their “gear”. Carlos and I exchange waves and smiles while the tourists stay focused on the sloth. I know the tour and glance at the bat tree he no doubt just left. The bat tree is a tree which grows out over the river where bats sleep in a row to appear as a snake for protection.

As I approach Sierpe there are water hyacinth dotting the river with thick green foliage and bright purple flowers, floating like little clumps of table bouquets drifting freely in this fabulous river. As I arrive at Sierpe I see the finish line. The finish line is an airborn waterline which carries the water to Sierpe from the nearby mountains. A four inch pipe runs over the Sierpe River strung on cables. It leaks in one area and sometimes if I’m really hot, I’ll take that spot for a little cool down. With certain friends I will hit the water spray intentionally and then tell them it is a sewer line. I am in the no wake zone and have slowed to a crawl as I round the final corner exposing the quaint little river town of Sierpe.

By the time I reach the Oleaje Sereno dock Edwin is there with a radiant smile and “Buenos Dias Don Jim”. He asks how I am and I ask the same of him. Almost before he grabs onto the boat we have the traditional hand shake. I like that. I take my backpack and notebook computer out of the boat and walk towards the hotel Oleaje Sereno. Edwin takes care of the boat and moves it to a safe place where it will rest until I start my equally as great commute home in the afternoon. There is a table outside of the hotel restaurant with several boat captains sitting around it. They ALL say hello, smile and shake my hand. Inside the restaurant Alfonso says in nearly perfect English, “good morning Mr. Jim” and shakes my hand. Sarah is behind the counter but comes out to say good morning and give me the feminine version of the hand shake where you put your cheeks together and kiss the air. My business partner, and Edwin’s wife (Sonia) is there smiling and gives me a big hug, a kiss and asks me how I am. Sarah has already brought me a cup of coffee while Sonia gives me all the updates, leads for listings and potential seekers of a piece of this paradise.

I pick up my things and walk two blocks to the grocery store where we maintain a small office for our little real estate business. On the way from the hotel to the grocery I see, Rafa the boat builder and boat taxi service operator, Jose a boat captain that my wife thinks looks like a stereotype pirate, Elias a farmer and friend, Jorge another restaurant owner and Henry the son of Chicho. All of them shake my hand, smile and ask me how I am. Once at the little grocery store “El Fenix” I am greeted by Cholo, Carmen and Lisette who all either shake my hand or put their cheek to mine and ask how I am.

It has been an hour since I left my little house at the boca and every single person I saw along the way greeted or acknowledged me in a positive way. I’m smiling and thinking to myself: “this is too good to be true”. I switch a couple of cords, plug in my computer, turn it on and click on the RACSA icon to get the internet up and running. It is slow but I have come to realize that life here is slow and wonderful. Eventually my email comes up and I am able to read my first email.

Dear Sir,
My husband and I have been thinking for some time of buying a little property in Costa Rica to get away from the harsh winters of northern Michigan. We want a little house and maybe enough land to enjoy the wildlife. We are looking for peace and tranquility but don’t have a lot of money. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Don and Kim Anderson.

I get excited at the possibility of helping these folks find the paradise I love so dearly and cannot wait to start what I want to be about three pages of response. I reflect on the commute up river, think about the upcoming commute back home and realize that I ALWAYS look forward to my commute.

PARADISE FOUND!!!

Jim Cameron is a 30 year veteran in the specialty coffee industry. His coffee related travels brought him to Costa Rica many times where he fell in love with a country and it’s people. Jim now spends half the year in Costa Rica and the other half in Wisconsin where he sells green coffee beans to the home roasting trade.

Share This

Less than two hours by car from Los Angeles sit the year round playgrounds Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City. Situated in the San Bernardino National Forest at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, Big Bear provides activities for all four seasons. Whether you are into camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, hiking, parasailing, horseback riding, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, bobsleding, playing in the snow, shopping or even just relaxing, you can do it in Big Bear and you can do it in clean fresh air, in gorgeous surroundings and in accomodations that range from unimproved campgrounds to top of the line hotels or spas.

Big Bear Lake is a freshwater lake, with approximately 22 miles of shoreline, set amoung forests of pine and oak. The lake is well stocked with trout, large and small mouth bass, blue gill, crappie, and catfish. There are several marinas and two public launches. You can rent sail or motor boats, or you can bring and launch your own boat. Meadow Park (800)448-5335, on the lake, provides a swim beach area as well as shaded picnic areas, barbecues, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, playground equipment, softball fields, and a sand volleyball court. Holloway’s Marina and RV Park (800)448-5335, offers lakeshore RV camping with all the amenities including, large level sites, full hook-ups, cable tv, restrooms and hotwater showers, a full service marina, rentals of fishing boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, windsurfers, sail boats, canoes and kayaks, paddle boats, water skis, fishing gear and more, a complete bait and tackle shop, a launch ramp and more.

You might also want to check out
Big Bear Shores RV Resort (909) 866-4151, a gate guarded resort complete with a 16,000 square foot mountain lodge, forty-slip marina, boat launching ramp, tennis, swimming pool, spas and a fully equipped private health club, the resort offers all the refinements of an exclusive country club. There are also numerous hotels, lodges, cabins and condos for rent, on or near the lake.

Big Bear boasts two excellent ski resorts, Snow summit and Bear Mountain Resort. Between the two of them you will find 75 trails, 20 lifts, four high-speed chairs, and seven snowboard parks for all levels of skill. Big Bear also has numerous, beautiful, groomed, cross country ski trails. If you don’t know how to ski, don’t worry, there are plenty of instructors. If you don’t have equipment, don’t worry, there are plenty of places where you can rent or buy your equipment.

Big bear is not just a winter wonderland, it is a year round wonderland. At Big Bear, you will find beautiful scenery, clean mountain air, plenty of things to do, friendly people and much more.

For more information about the city of Big Bear, California see: http://bigbearlake.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of Big Bear, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites, and web pages providing resources, services, and information about things to do and places to go.

Share This

This is a very informative website - NO NONSENSE, NO RUBBISH, it is written and attested to by normal everyday people like you, who have achieved their goal to move to Florida, who are still living here and who have become successful business and home owners. The authors have been here nearly 10 years and have been through the process of obtaining visas, visa renewals, changes in Department of State regulations and Homeland Security issues.

We have done our utmost to highlight some of the pitfalls to be avoided AT ALL COSTS -which unfortunately, I have to say, happen all too often. What we have attempted to achieve, through this site is the format and guidance to get started and as much information as is feasibly possible. Like everything in life, you get what you pay for, but in this case you get value for money and more importantly the correct routes to stop you from making some of the same mistakes we made.

We consider the information provided on the site to be invaluable to anyone who is considering just a holiday in Florida, or indeed conducting their own research with a view to moving here permanently. The site contains over 1,500 hundred pages of links to make absolutely certain that you reach the RIGHT people.

Share This

In Colorado there are many downtown revitalization projects. In Denver in Commerce City and we found this in Pueblo, Colorado as we talked to locals.

The River Walk, which seems to be a growing concept for tourism dollars and point of destination downtown rehabilitation is alive and well here in Pueblo along with the rest of the Downtown revitalization. I am also impressed with the entire Mid West with regards to the river walk idea, which started in San Antonio and has done extremely well everywhere it has been taken.

At the River Walk in Pueblo you can rent a boat and hang out, many car shows and several really great restaurants and good retail employment, now that the Arkansas River has filled back up again. The drought had threatened the river for a while and it got so low that they were being sued by their next door neighbors in KS, as there was not enough water for the cattle. The Power plant in Pueblo had to shut down due to the water being so low they could not use it for cooling. Pueblo, CO is growing and West Pueblo is a whole new suburb. With middle class families moving in there is additional dollars flowing into the town and staying. Since it is on I-25 it catches significant tourist dollars during parts of the year. The Pueblo Chamber of Commerce is quite active with the city in promoting this new tourist destination and Pueblo should be on your list if you are traveling that direction.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Share This

This park is 100km north of Dar es Salaam. Saadani is where the bush meets the sea. This colorful clash of ecosystems is found nowhere else along the coast of East Africa. Imagine: this is the place where the hippopotamus compete with coral reefs, lions roar at the surf and baboons race along the beach. Elephants have even been spotted enjoying the surf.

The lodge here has every room not only looking out over the African bush but each room also has a sea view!

This park was once a coconut plantaion, game viewing is in open 4×4 vehicles, however, walking safaris are allowed in the Forrest and on returning to your hotel - take off your boots - and enjoy a refreshing walk in the surf. There are only a very few locations where walking safaris are allowed in Tanzania and this is one of them and this park also boasts a unique night walk trail. A highlight being the green turtle nesting sites along this beach.

Wami River safari is a wondrous experience entering the river from the ocean is a truly unique experience. There are canoeing safaris on the Mafui River that offer blissful bird watching opportunities. Here you are free from the restrictions of a vehicle - you are in the African bush on the cast and also free to get out and experience it first hand.

There are a number of small islands dotted along the coast line and snorkeling and swimming in the warm crystal seas is part of the Saadani experience.

This is a most unusual destination and well worth considering when you plan a trip to Tanzania.

We are a non-profit making organization - http://www.betheladventure.co.uk for any further information on this article please go through our website. We are a self help group based in Northern Tanzania.

Share This

The Outer Banks of North Carolina have an unmistakable allure; for many people it’s not too much of a hassle to get there, and once you arrive you feel a million miles away. Maybe it’s the starkly different landscape, the presence of the ocean or the wild ponies, but there’s definitely something magical about this popular vacation destination. For a better understanding of this unique phenomenon, take a closer look at one of the Outer Banks’ rising stars; Corolla is the northernmost town in the region and has what it takes to deliver a truly fabulous taste of all things welcoming, relaxing and luxurious.

Ask anyone who’s a seasoned Outer Banks visitor; they don’t go there to run themselves ragged with sight seeing or to experience the culture of a new city. Instead, they arrive with duffel bags filled with casual clothes and paperback novels, their loved ones in tow, ready to make a resort experience on their own terms, in their own style, and without ever venturing too far from home base.

If this sounds like your kind of vacation, read on. Corolla (pronounced cor-ahh-lah, by the way) has been called one of the top ten undiscovered beaches in the nation and delivers a particular brand of isolation, splendor and refinement. Touring the area will likely produce a few dropped jaws among real estate addicts, as there are huge mansion-like estates and big beach houses everywhere you look. Perfect for sheltering big groups, even family reunions, many of these properties have just recently been built and still sparkle and shine with newness.

That’s not to say that there’s no history in Corolla; far from it. Spanish conquistadors landed here in the 1500’s, introducing the horses whose descendents still roam the sandy shores. The red brick lighthouse that stands guard on the beach was built over a hundred years ago, and is the only one in the state that still retains its original structure. Other remnants of seafaring life can be glimpsed at the Visitors Center and the Whalehead Club, a nationally recognized Historic Place. This sprawling private residence, boathouse, foot bridge and park are worth taking a look around if you have any interest in the ways of old time mariners.

As for fun in the sun and on the ocean, hopefully you’ll arrive equipped to see and do it all. The conditions along the Outer Banks are perfect for water sports that demand steady winds, like kite boarding and windsurfing, two up-and-coming activities that shouldn’t be missed if you have an appetite for adrenaline. Surfing is popular due to the ample breaks and warm water, and sailing allows visitors to enjoy the seascape in all its glory. There’s even more to float your boat around here, so investigate your options when you arrive.

If you have a desire to cast a rod and reel in the catch of a lifetime, or just dinner, you’ve come to the right place. Fishing is a major event here, with boats to take you out, advisors to help you capture a big one, and all the supplies you’ll need if you want to do it on your own. From speckled trout to striped bass, croaker to pompano, you’ll find several varieties swimming below the surface.

Other than that, your vacation is up to you. You’ll likely find that swimming, sunning, and lounging will easily fill a day, so don’t forget to plan ahead to allow for all the other stuff as well. After an initial nap-filled decompression period, you’ll be bursting with energy and verve, making this the likely time for all the water sports and exploring that will make your Outer Banks vacation complete.

Actually, what will really make it complete is a vacation rental. The house you choose for you and your group will set the tone for the entire trip, so be sure to pick out a winner. Since it’s Corolla we’re talking about, you probably couldn’t pick a stinker if you tried, but do go online soon to scrutinize the vast array of Corolla Vacation Rentals available. You’ll be surprised by what you see, and that’s a very good thing.

Visit CyberRentals.com for all your vacation rental needs.

Share This

Holidaying or even living near Poole Harbour in Dorset has lots to recommend it.

• It has the largest natural harbour in Europe and the second largest in the world.

• It has 3 miles of deep golden sand beaches and Sandbanks has been voted the best beach in Britain and has won the Blue Flag award thirteen times.

• Sandbanks (an area of Poole) has 18 millionaires residing and is the fourth most expensive place to buy land per acre in the world.
• It is home to Brownsea Island, which is famous for its red squirrels and its links to the Scouting movement. It is owned by the National Trust and you can easily get a boat trip from the quay to the Island for a great day out.

• It has thriving town and the shopping centre is within walking distance of Poole Quay

• The quay is home to the world famous Poole Pottery. Poole Pottery has a factory outlet on the quay and there you are able to buy reduced ’seconds’ of popular ranges (you can’t always tell the difference) as well as their full priced products. Poole Pottery is sold all over the world and is very collectable.

• You can get a ferry from Poole harbour to Cherboug in Western France

• The train station is only a one minute walk from the main shopping area. From here you can get a train to London which takes approx 2 hours.

• The habour is excellent for sailing, fishing and jet-skiing.

Poole Quay itself is home to Sunseeker,local fishing boats, Poole Pottery, Brownsea Island cruise boats, a fantastic marina, food kiosks, cafes, restaurants, pubs and gift shops.

A particular favourite cafe of mine is Corkers where in the day time you can get a lovely cup of tea or hot chocolate with a lovely choice of hot and cold food.

Poole was traditionally a fishing port and there are still fishermen working in the harbour. Their boats moor next door to the expensive yachts in the marina.You can still buy fish direct from the boats.
At the opposite end of the quay is the lifting bridge which opens hourly to let the boats through.

In the marina you’ll find all sorts of yachts including Sunseeker and you’ll also see their yachts on the other side of the quay where they’re made!

If you want to live or holiday in a Mediterranean atmosphere consider coming to Poole - it’s ideal for full time living and for holiday homes.

Chloe Greenslade has lived in Poole all her life and although she has travelled all around the UK always returns to her roots. She now runs http://www.budsyhomefinder.com helping people find their ideal home in Dorset and the New Forest.

Share This

It was a beautiful evening for a stroll tonight, so I went down to one of my favourite places: Toronto’s waterfront. Listening to the melee of languages, observing the broad mixture of people, I was thinking about upcoming travel plans, business issues, articles to write for the website, and many other things. I liken this feeling to a hamster on a wheel who’s constantly spinning and moving. My brain was working overtime, which happens a lot when I think about the website and all the ideas and topics I’d like to write about.

So I am strolling by the sailboat harbour at Ashbridges Bay, a particularly serene place with a quiet little inlet surrounded by willow trees on the east side, on the north side there is a private marina where hundreds of sailboats are docked, on the south side there is a little peninsula with just a few places where a variety of boats can anchor at the municipal docks.

So I am walking, enjoying the reflections of the evening sunshine playing on the water, listening to the joyful songs of the birds, observing bikers, walkers, rollerbladers, watching the boats……… and then I had an idea - I might as well interview on of these boaters and find out a bit more about their lifestyle and travel adventures.

I approached a houseboat and I saw that the captain was sitting on the bridge. I knocked on the glass door and asked if I could do an interview with him. The man, a white-haired bearded man in his 60s, was very welcoming and invited me in. He actually asked me to sit in the captain’s chair and I shyly accepted.

He introduced himself as Ron, “Captain Ron”, a name by which he is well known in the Lake Ontario boating community. Ron is a former corporate sales manager, now comfortably retired, with an active lifestyle. Ron still has a house in Whitby, just outside of Toronto, but he spends a lot of his time on the houseboat, and many of his friends live full-time on a houseboat.

His particular boat is an Intracoastal houseboat, meaning it has a hull and is more seaworthy than pontoon houseboats. It was made in 1970, and cost $17,000 when it was new. Ron has had it for 18 years and he regularly gets offers from people who want to buy it. Recently someone offered him $50,000 in cash for the houseboat. But since Ron loves the lifestyle, and a new boat would probably cost $150,000 to $200,000, it makes no sense for him to sell his beloved house on the water. He politely declined the offer.

The boat has an elevated bridge which not only houses the “steering wheel” (is that proper marine terminology?), but also accommodates a fold-out double bed. A few steps down is the galley on the left, and a bathroom with a combined toilet, sink and shower on the right. Beside the bathroom is a small door leading down to the cabin that has 4 bunk beds. Behind the kitchen is the living room area with an eating nook and another double fold out bed.

In theory the houseboat can sleep 8 people, but Ron said that you would not want to cram that many people on board with just one small bathroom. Makes a lot of sense… Ron seems to be travelling mostly by himself, judging by the lone deck chair that was located on the boat’s top deck from where I had a perfect view of the serene harbour setting. Ron says Ashbridges Bay is one of his favourite spots and he was sitting there quietly, enjoying the evening, when I approached him for the interview.

Ron uses the boat about 6 months of the year, he puts it in the water in mid April and takes it out in mid October and he mostly cruises Lake Ontario with it. From the 1000 Islands in the east near Kingston, a city that he loves (me too…), to Toronto with its islands, and St. Catharines with its Port Dalhousie harbour, he actively cruises the north shore of Lake Ontario.

He commented that the harbours on the US side of Lake Ontario are not as clean and unfortunately since 911, the American Coastguard has become overly protective, he said even paranoid, and the minute they see him, they figure he must be a drug smuggler and they put him through the third degree. So he prefers to cruise the Canadian side of the lake.

Many of Ron’s friends actually live on a houseboat full-time. They sail northern waters in the summer and then connect through the Ohio River - Mississippi waterway system down into Gulf of Mexico from where they sail down to southern Florida. On the way back in the spring they take the Intracoastal Waterway (the “Ditch”) to come back up north for the summer.

Ron also has a lot of friends who have ocean-going sailboats who spend much of their time in the Caribbean. As a matter of fact, one of his friends has a unique type of sailboat that was recently commandeered by the producers of the sequel for “Pirates of the Caribbean”.

Naturally I asked Ron about the cost of houseboating. Apart from the purchase costs, which he estimated at $150,000 to $200,000 for a new boat, there are dockage costs, fuel, insurance, repairs. He said he spends about $1000 on fuel, and about $5,000 a year for dockage and other operating costs. According to Ron, the people that do the Canada-Florida run usually spend anywhere from about $10,000 to $30,000 for the round-trip which could take a whole year. The cost at the lower end means that you are using the on-board kitchen (or rather, galley) facilities, you are staying at town docks rather than private marinas, using the boat’s shower, rather than the marina’s expensive facilities. Since Ron is a good cook, he practically always uses his boat’s kitchen to make his meals, a huge savings.

Captain Ron has really figured out a perfect retirement lifestyle for himself. He houseboats in the summer, goes deer hunting in the fall, heads out of Ontario to Florida or British Columbia in the winter, where he either stays with friends and family, or rents a reasonably priced apartment inland from the coast. Or, if he sees a good offer in the newspaper, he might just hop on a plane to Mexico for a quick getaway. And he loves to spend the summers in Ontario, where he cruises Lake Ontario and spends some time on beautiful Georgian Bay where his brothers live.

According to Ron, the key thing in retirement is health, and he works hard to stay healthy. He plays tennis, rides his bike, he loves to swim and he works out. He said, particularly if you want to travel to the US as a retiree, being healthy is critical. His brother had a heart attack in Florida, and his health insurance wouldn’t cover his treatment costs, and he ended up a with a $150,000 bill at the end. No wonder Captain Ron considers good health a key factor for travelling….

Captain Ron gave me a glimpse into his unique lifestyle, and I couldn’t help but envy him a little. He seemed so peaceful, so relaxed, enjoying the evening sun looking out over the water. I realized that he’s figured it all out, and he’s created his perfect little niche for himself…

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

“Life is a Journey

Share This

The Shi Du (Ten Ferry) scenic spot is the most typical canyon full of karst, ridges and peaks and is the closest to the capital city, unique in the northern part, and the biggest in Huabei region. The canyon features 12 marvelous geological sites such as natural “Stone Buddha”, “Flied over Stone”, “One Line Sky”, “Buddha” character of the dragon mountain, “Water Flowing Up”, “Stone in the Stone” and so forth. It has enjoyed the fine reputation of being the “green mountain and wild ferry, decorated corridors of hundred miles” for years. The Juma river is just like a piece of jade ribbon winding circuitously, passing through the mountains, complementing each other with the peaks and forests. The scenery has North China’s imposing character, it also carries the elegance of South of Yangtzi River. In 1986, Shi Du was evaluated as one of the new 16 sceneries of Beijing, and it was included in Beijing’s first batch of scenic spots in 1999.

Service facility:

10 scenic spots: Orphaned Mountain Village, Immortal Peak Valley, Ten-Thousand Scenery Immortal Ditch, Big Canyon of South, Pu Du Mountain Village, Martyrs’ Cemetery of PingXi Resistance Against Japan, Immortal Dwelled Cave, Mountain of Pond in the Sky, West Lake Ferry, and Five-Star Gorge.

Entertainment spots: JuMa Paradise, Nine-Ferry Drifting, Eight-Ferry Boat Paddling, Six-Ferry Boat Paddling, and Qingjiang Nine-Dragon Deep Pond and so on. They provide extreme jumps, cliff parachuting, ropeway, crag climbing, sky gliding, drifting, boat pedaling, canoeing, vehicle surfing, motorboating, sand beach bathing, swimming, horse riding and many other programs.

Hotels: Including Shanguang Guesthouse, Buddha Gazing Mountain Villa, YanAn Training Center, Pen Holder Mountain Villa, the Bureau of Finance Training Center, and other middle scale or upscale guesthouses. There are also 11 travel focused villages such as Xizhuang Folk Custom village, Western River Fish Culture & Angling village and others that offer 5600 berths, provide coordinated services like travel, accommodations, food, shopping, and entertainment.

Riding route: 1. Go directly to Shi Du via bus 917 at Tian Qiao; 2. touring bus 10 is available during the official holidays and weekends at Qianmen, Fuchengmen, Xuanwumen; 3. Take train 7 from Beijing’s South Station and get off at Shi Du; 4. There are mini buses and carriages inside the scenic area.

Contact phone: 61349871

Touring guides:

Spring:

• Time: April 15th - May 30th
• Activities: Sightseeing, living in the peasant families, eat local specialty foods, enjoy the natural beauty.

Shi Du Scenery Festival:

• Time: June 1st - October 10th
• Activities: Juma river bathing tour that features water diving bathing, sun bathing, boat drifting, angling, sand beach volleyball; summer cultural square activities that features singing, bonfire party, national dances, folk performances, as well as barbecue event that features savoring delicacies of every kind.

Note: You may freely republish this article as long as author bio and active hyperlinks are kept intact. Thank you.

Jacklyn Chen - Webmaster of news-blogs.com. She is a full time mom who works very hard to make living with multiple web sites. For more information and articles about travel, visit her Travel Blog.

Share This

Is it any wonder? Since Hollywood launched New Zealand big time onto the world’s cinema screens with epic block busters such as Lord of The Rings, King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia, everyone wants to visit.

In fact, New Zealand is one of the most popular travel search destinations, with almost two million online searches for information each year, even beating out firm favorites such as Hong Kong and London.

New Zealand consists of two main islands, North and South about the size of Colorado. With a population of around 4 million and English as the main language, you can expect a warm welcome and a fantastic vacation experience. There is also strong, vibrant Maori culture reflected in the easy going attitude of the people and pride in their heritage.

From the West Coast of the United States, a direct flight to New Zealand is a bearable 12 hours. Close to the Australian continent, New Zealand shares the Australian love for sport and having a good time.

Think Hawaii meets Switzerland.

Where else can you find so many different types of scenery and breathtaking landscapes in one country! From towering mountain peaks and glaciers to volcanoes and bubbling mud springs. And then there’s the surprise. It’s so very English too. The lush green fields and rolling hills reminiscent of the English countryside and village life never seem that far away.

Major highlights and attractions.

The Bay of Islands on the North Island.

An absolute must-see on your trip. A magnificent natural treasure for anyone who enjoys getting out on the water. Catch a ferry or charter boat and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere. Paddle a sea kayak in and out of island nooks and inlets. If you have always wanted to swim with dolphins, do it here. Many operators in the region offer excellent trips to spectacular Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock‘ on Piercy Island.

The townships of this historical bay are alive with memories of the area’s colorful past. Take time out to see the well-preserved relics both Maori and European, in romantic Russell, Paihia, Waitangi or Kerikeri.

Rotorua. What’s bubbling you?

Known for its amazing geothermal earth forces, this fascinating region offers you more than natural beauty, it’s also a very spiritual place. “Manaakitanga” is a deep-rooted concept in Maori culture. It’s a local challenge to offer visitors the best experience possible.

Voted New Zealand’s Most Beautiful City three times, Rotorua’s gardens, cobbled streets and diverse mix of Maori and English Tudor architecture, give the city a significant point of difference. Beyond the urban centre, a backdrop of geothermal steam, volcanic mountains and huge crater lakes remind you that this region rests immediately above the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Incidentally, Rotarua’s Hell’s Gate Reserve was where the “Black Gate of Morodor” was filmed for The Lord of The Rings Trilogy.

Let off some steam. Steam escapes from crevices in the ground, gardens bloom alongside bubbling craters and geysers shoot for the sky.

Spa therapy. A good wrap. 160 years after the first Europeans arrived to ’spa’ in Rotorua, today’s visitors are still enjoying the therapeutic properties of the geothermal resources. Mineral pools, mud wraps and massage will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready for more.

The thrill of chilling out in Glacier Country.

Nowhere in the world’s temperate zones are glaciers so accessible. On the West Coast of The South Island, remnants of the ice age cascade from the vast snowfields of the Southern Alps to valley floors, almost 1,000 feet above sea level.
You can enjoy guided excursions exploring stunning ice formations. Or take off on a scenic flight and land amidst New Zealand’s highest peaks overlooking the glaciers. The two most famous villages are Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, good bases from which to plan your days exploring the glaciers.

Milford Sound. Your eighth wonder of the world?

Legendary writer Rudyard Kipling was a well traveled man. He called Milford Sound the “eighth wonder of the world.”

Still down South, Milford Sound lies at the heart of Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage area. Cruising the clear, still waters of the Fiord you’ll encounter magnificent sights, such as the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls.

With the highest rainfall in New Zealand (think feet not inches!) so expect rain when you visit. However, when it pours, the water falls that appear all around are simply amazing.
Keep a lookout for wildlife such as dolphins, penguins and seals often seen in their natural habitat. Go on a scenic cruise and gasp at the moody majesty of the Fiord in your Milford Sound Red Boat. Another worthwhile attraction is the Milford Deep Underwater Observatory Option. Descend 30 feet below the surface and marvel at spectacular marine life, with anemones, sponges, fish and rare red and black coral in their natural habitat.

Discover Middle Earth.

According to Oscar winner Peter Jackson, New Zealand was the only landscape on the planet that could have provided the sensational locations for Tolkien’s Middle Earth. You can set off on your voyage of discovery and visit the key areas featured in the films such as The Southern Alps and Queenstown. Make sure you stop at Matamata, near Hamilton (a couple of hours drive south of Auckland) and marvel at how the landscape was transformed into the peaceful hobbit village of Hobbiton.

Auckland. The largest city.

Wellington is actually the capital, but Auckland is where many visitors first set foot in New Zealand.

Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanting holiday islands, that’s Auckland.

It’s located on the North Island and called the City of Sails. Know why? It has more boats per capita than any other city in the world. Almost entirely surrounded by water and covered with volcanic hills, the city boasts a superb harbor and a population of 1.3 million people. Add a background rhythm of Polynesian culture, a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping - and you’ll want to stay.

Auckland has a pleasant subtropical climate with mild winters (June, July and August) and warm, humid summers (December, January and February). Remember the seasons down here are reversed, so plan your vacation accordingly.
Accommodation to suit every taste.

For visitors, Auckland has all types of accommodation.
Web sites such as www.hotel.com.au offer a range from backpacker to budget to luxury international hotels. As the North Island attracts more visitors than the South, it pays to check what’s out there as you plan your trip.

Action. Adrenalin. Anticipation.

Auckland is a top choice if you’re interested in wide open spaces and physical activities. Above the ground you can go bungee jumping, parachuting and skydiving.

On the ground you can go hiking, mountain bike riding, skiing, horse riding, rock climbing, and ‘zorbing’. Underground you can go surface caving, cave rafting and hydro sliding; and on the water you can go jet-boarding, white-water sledging, rafting, boogey boarding, canoeing, kayaking, surfing and scuba diving. If there is a difficult and challenging way to get from one point to another you can do it in New Zealand.

If you’re looking for some less exhilarating activities, such as retail therapy, many Auckland stores are open seven days a week. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs welcome patrons well into the night.

Whether you are stopping for a week, or planning to spend a month exploring everything in The Land of The Long White Cloud, New Zealand will make you feel right at home.

Matthew Lawson heads up http://www.hotel.com.au in Australia. He combines his love for travel and going places with his technical skills in database management.

Share This