Best of Boating

Destination Website Features 1,000 Lakes for Vacation and Recreation

MONETA, VA - Lakelubbers.com (http://www.lakelubbers.com/), a website that features lakes known for vacation and recreation, added its 1,000th lake this month. Lakelubbers includes tourism and historical information for 850 lakes in 50 U.S. states, and for 150 lakes in 40 other countries.

Homeowners and property managers can list their vacation rentals on each lake. Lake-related real estate agencies and other local businesses can also advertise.

Ten writers in three countries research and profile nearly 100 new lakes each month. Lakelubbers plans to add another 5,000 of the world's best-known vacation and recreation lakes to the website during the next five years.

Discover Boating: Open Water Provides New Views Of Fall Foliage

CHICAGO, IL - As the leaves change, many Americans plan road trips to areas decorated with fall foliage, but views from a boat provide nature enthusiasts with a different type of scenic "drive" this season. Boaters know the best place to view autumn's changing colors from the helm, but non-boaters may be surprised to learn they too can avoid the crowds and put a twist on the standard family outing. Fall foliage cruises across the country allow for views of picturesque waterways and shoreline panoramas blanketed with rich seasonal colors.

"There's something about taking in vibrant fall foliage against the sparkle of the open water that can't be beat," said Ellen Hopkins, spokesperson for Discover Boating, the recreational boating industry's national awareness program. "Since more than 90 percent of Americans live within an hour's drive of water, it's also more accessible than you think. We have highlighted a few of our favorite scenic waterways that provide prime opportunities, for boat owners and non-owners alike, to enjoy all the season has to offer from the water."

London Bridge Approaches Its 40th Year At Lake Havasu City

Crews used material dredged to make the Bridgewater Channel as supports for the bridge's arches.

LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ - For boaters and personal watercraft enthusiasts in California and the southwest, Lake Havasu is a boating mecca with a bit of an adult reputation, and that's a good thing.  Lake Havasu also has a stately reputation as home of the iconic London Bridge that was relocated to Lake Havasu City nearly 40 years ago.

Known the world over through reputation and song, the London Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. While many know of its current location, the story of how this famous structure came to reside in Lake Havasu City is an interesting one.

The London Bridge moved to this desert community in 1968, after being purchased by town founder Robert P. McCulloch. He was looking for something to put his fledgling community on the map, and when his partner C.V. Wood, known for designing Disneyland, heard about the bridge going up for sale, they knew this was the hook they were looking for.

“They really wanted something that was going to make Lake Havasu City famous,” said Ruth Brydon, curator of the Lake Havasu Museum of History. “They knew having the London Bridge in their new city would attract a lot of attention, and new residents.”

Destinations: Lake of the Ozarks, MO

Lake of the Ozarks, a 95 mile-long stretch of boater heaven and the Midwest's premier family vacation destination, has more to offer than typical family fare. Whether your goal is to camp by the lake or stay in a top resort and play some of the 180 holes of championship golf, you'll find your vacation fun at Lake of the Ozarks.

Boating at the lake varies from luxury yachts to personal watercraft and everything in between. Water activities include swimming, skiing and parasailing, and anglers find their challenge in a wide range of fish from Largemouth and White Bass to Crappie, Stripers and Catfish.

There's no shortage of activity off the lake either. Over 180 holes of championship golf are carved into the rolling terrain that will challenge any game. Add to that over 60 tennis courts, racquetball courts, spas, gyms and indoor pools and you have a recreational dream come true.

Kid-friendly activities include water parks, amusement parks, miniature golf and go-carts. Three county museums offer visitors a look through the area's rich heritage while helicopter and sea plane rides, boat races, horseback riding, festivals and local caves offer unique and memorable activities.

The wide range of accommodations, from camping to luxury resorts, afford visitors year round enjoyment at the lake. When it comes to food, there's something for every palette and that includes continental cuisine, traditional Ozark barbecue, burgers and ice cram parlors.

Rolling hills covered in brilliant color and the annual Jazz festival mark the onset of Fall and the lake rolls into winter as bald eagles arrive to nest for the season. In fact, the lake is considered one of the best birding spots in the state, offering feeding and resting grounds for the Great Blue Heron, hawks, sucks and more who frequent it. For more info visit www.funlake.com/about.html.

Destinations: Mackinac Island, MI

A historical treasure, Mackinac Island is a true vacationer's paradise that transports you back in time. As you bike, hike, boat, or take a horse-drawn carriage around the island, it won't be long before you'll be settling in to a pace of true leisure that's hard to find in many other destinations!

Mackinac Island is among the top boating locations because of its ideal balance between nature-oriented pursuits and in-town fun. Over 80% of the land on Mackinac Island is in public hands or under the protection of the Federal government, ensuring that its natural beauty remains safely preserved.

But there's also plenty of great food and fun shopping to be had, with a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind shops, art galleries, and delectable restaurants that offer a range of cuisines. Other popular activities include golf, horseback riding, swimming, and more.

Featured parks include Fort Mackinac, the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Historic Mill Creek, Colonial Michilimackinac, and of course, Mackinac State Park, a 1,800-acre wonderland of limestone bluffs, cedar forests, and wildflowers.

Mackinac also offers world-class lodging and hotels, such as the regal Grand Hotel, with its 880 foot-long front porch (the longest of any hotel in the world) and its tradition of afternoon tea.

Whether for sailing or fishing, local boat marinas feature a variety of boats that can be chartered. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, and scuba diving is popular, as the Straits of Mackinac is one of the top locations in the world to explore lost ships!

Mackinac Island is also host to a many popular racing events. The annual "Race to Mackinac" is the largest freshwater yacht race in the world. Also popular each year is the Labor Day Regatta. If you plan on bringing your own boat to the island, contact the Michigan Department of Resources for information on reserving a slip.

Destinations: St. Michaels, MD

St. Michaels has 1,200 year-round inhabitants, but in the summertime the tiny burg on Maryland’s eastern shore literally explodes with seasonal residents and guests who come for crabs, quaint cottages and the call of the Chesapeake.

St. Michaels’ main land-based attraction is the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, an 18-acre spread that includes an indoor/outdoor collection of artifacts from the bay and its 5,000-mile shoreline.

The museum isn’t the only place to see interesting and historic boats. Motor over to inspect the fishing fleet based in Dogwood Harbor on Tilghman Island. It’s comprised of skipjacks that are nearly 100 years old. While you’re there, a meal at the Tilghman Island Inn is a must.

Another interesting antique vessel to see is the Bellevue-Oxford ferry, which has been making the 10-minute crossing of the Tred Avon river since 1683. It was converted to carry cars, but its size and wood floor limit it to just nine vehicles.

The best way to see St. Michaels is on foot or on a bike, which will allow you to bypass the summertime car crush. The St. Mary’s Square Museum offers a St. Michaels walking-tour map that will direct you through the town's historic streets and landmarks.

One such locale is the Robert Morris Inn. Built in 1710 by ships’ carpenters, the inn was originally the home of 18th-century businessman Robert Morris and has over the years seen service as a town hall, boarding house, general store, and veterans’ hospital. Since the end of WWII it is has served fine food to discriminating boaters and other guests.

The St. Michaels Harbour Inn & Marina is an excellent place to port into, offering 60 slips and a great spa in a prime waterfront location across from the maritime museum. The St. Michaels Marina is also immediately in front of the Town Dock and Crab House restaurants. It offers 54 transient slips and full amenities. Other options include Higgins Yacht Yard and the Lowes Wharf Marina. Knapp’s Narrows Marina and the Tilghman Island Marina on Tilghman Island are also good alternatives outside the town proper. If you’re visiting at any time except the dead of winter, you’d better make advanced reservations for slips at all of these facilities.

Destinations: Fish Creek, WI

At the confluence of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Wisconsin serves up natural amenities that earned the 75-mile-long peninsula a place on Money Magazine’s list of “Top 10 Vacation Destinations in North America". Much of this bounty benefits boaters: 250 miles of shoreline, 40 near-shore islands, 10 historic lighthouses, and five state parks — most with boat ramps. Nestled in the heart of it all is Fish Creek, a wonderful base from which boaters can explore.

The village is home to 3700-acre Peninsula State Park and the 130-year-old Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. The park includes beaches, hiking trails, camping and other outdoor activities. Fish Creek offers plenty to fill your visit because of its central bayside location and easy access to the county’s amenities, each an easily navigated day trip. The longest of the journeys is to the northern tip of the peninsula where you’ll find Washington Island and Rock Island State Park. Washington is home to the oldest Icelandic community in the United Sates. The island offers two full-service marinas, Kruger’s Kap’s marina and Shipyard Island marina.

Closer to Fish Creek is Sister Bay, which offers quaint shopping and excellent dining. The Inn at Kristofers is waterside, and offers 35 transient slips and full facilities, except fuel. Just around the northeastern side of Peninsula State Park is Eagle Harbor and the village of Ephraim. In July the harbor hosts a windsurfing regatta.

To the south of Fish Creek is the “bustling metropolis” Sturgeon Bay with its charming downtown. The town is home to yachtbuilder Palmer Johnson and the Door County Maritime Museum. Potowatomi State Park faces the bay, which is filled with walleye, northern pike, lake trout and salmon.

Destinations: Lake Coeur d'Alene, WA

Coeur d'Alene, located just 34 miles east of Spokane, provides a natural beauty and upscale appeal that draws visitors from all over the world. The lake offers everything from five star getaways to four-season beauty and a wealth of outdoor recreation.

The lake itself is 30 miles long, ranges from 1 to 3 miles wide and offers over 109 miles of shoreline for boaters to explore and enjoy. The lake is fed by the Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe and St. Maries rivers which provide boaters the opportunity to explore and anglers great fishing (ranging from Chinook salmon to trout and Northern Pike).

Whether you're looking for white water rafting, water slides or watercraft riding, you'll find it in Coeur d'Alene. Additional activities include parasailing, tennis, skiing/snowboarding, sea plane flights, performing arts, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, helicopter flights, casinos, and more. There are also ghost towns to explore, a nearby old town amusement park, hundreds of shops and restaurants.

Culinary delights abound whether your tastes lean toward fresh Northwest salmon, Idaho potato pizza, huckleberry pancakes, or a juicy Priest River buffalo steak. And what a better way to cap your day in the Coeur d'Alene's than with a Northwest microbrew or a selection from a world renowned wine cellar.

Accommodations range from quaint bed and breakfasts to guest ranches to a world-class resort. You can enjoy an authentic Idaho wilderness experience or discover the city's softer side in a waterfront suite at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. There you can enjoy five-star amenities, a world-class golf course with floating green, and a floating boardwalk that circles the resort. The resort's waterfront setting offers a launch ramp and marina that offers a diverse menu of activities from lake cruises to sailing to personal watercraft to parasailing.

For more information, visit www.coeurdalene.org.

Destinations: Percy Priest, TN

Country music may be what Nashville is best known for, but there's a whole lot more to the Music City. Just a few miles from the shadow of The Grand Ole Opry rests a haven for boaters. With 213 miles of shoreline and 14,400 acres of water at full draw, J. Percy Priest Lake attracts people from all over.

The fishing in Percy Priest Lake is excellent, with a variety of species to choose from. Aside from being one of the finest smallmouth bass lakes in Tennessee, there are also largemouth bass, striped bass and Cherokee bass. If you prefer panfish, crappie and bluegill are plentiful, and blue and flathead catfish also thrive in these waters.

For cruisers and watersports fans, the lake offers beautiful scenery along uninterrupted shoreline. Mixed in with sandy beaches, rock bluffs and wooded areas, you'll find developed parks with facilities and boat ramps. Thanks to Percy Priest's jagged shoreline and many islands, even on the busiest days boaters can still find a secluded spot.

If you want to give your sea legs a break, check out Long Hunter State Park on the eastern shore. It has miles of trails, as well as interpretive and environmental activities for children and adults. At the northern end is Hamilton Creek Park, which offers a marina, mountain bike trails and BMX track.

Four commercial marinas operate on Percy Priest Lake, offering fuel, launch service, boat rentals, fishing licenses, supplies and restaurants.

Whether it's the lake itself that draws you to these shores, or just the thought of a Nashville vacation, Percy Priest won't disappoint. For more information click here.

Destinations: Martha's Vineyard, MA

Located just seven miles off the Massachusetts coastline, the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard is a world apart, offering a vacation ambiance unlike any other. As an Island, Martha’s Vineyard is well accustomed to greeting visitors who arrive by sea. Many towns offer mooring, marina, launch and fuel service. Towns are situated close to harbors and mariners will find a wonderful variety of shops, restaurants and services within easy walking distance. There are also several ferry services, visit www.steamshipauthority.com for more info.

Whether you prefer a romantic Victorian inn, a lavish resort, or a cozy cottage, you can find it all on the Vineyard. The Winnetu Oceanside Resort has all the amenities of a fine resort located on South Beach in Edgartown. Established in 1923, the Menemsha Inn is a charming cottage compound. Get a real taste of island life at the Hob Knob Inn, a small luxury inn located in the heart of historic Edgartown. For more listings, check out www.mvol.com.

Perhaps the most important part of any trip, where you dine can teach you everything about the locals and the area’s history. On Martha’s Vineyard, regardless of where you are staying, try to experience the cuisine in different towns, to experience how diverse the island’s life is. If you’re looking for a modern take on classic island fare, than Lure is where you want to go. The “quintessential Martha’s Vineyard summer atmosphere” is at Home Port. For luxury fine dining, check out Zephrus.

Activities abound on Martha’s Vineyard. There are endless tours to take – by bus, bike, boat, or foot. Get active or leisurely on the beaches, check out the numerous arts and antiques, or take a stroll and admire the natural landscapes. Whatever you’re looking for the Vineyard’s got it.