Duna and her husband Bruce and family have celebrated
Thanksgiving on Lake Mead since 1999, when they bought
their first houseboat. They currently own a 2006 20 x 75 foot Sumerset houseboat, named "Diamante del Lago.
It sleeps 10 and has a central kitchen that we designed just for occasions like
Thanksgiving when everyone gathers to cook, eat, visit and watch football.
Lake Mead is usually nice
weather in November and a welcome break from our busy lives. This year the
weather was perfect - in the upper 70's all week with a gentle breeze and the
water at 70 degrees. The young ones are known to take advantage of the
smooth, but cold water for wake boarding and wake surfing while the oldsters
are just as happy to admire it from the boat.
Their Thanksgiving feast consisted of grilled salmon,
honey-baked ham, a variety of vegetable dishes, stuffing and pies.
Thanksgiving is usually just immediate family and a friend
or two. This year they had a rather small party - one grandchild, her parents,
two sets of grandparents and two pugs. Their 2-year-old Finley was, of course,
the center of attention. "She loves to help cook, play games, collect rocks or
work tirelessly on sand castles," commented Duna.
They were on the boat for four nights that was spent
kayaking, paddle boarding, target shooting, hiking and playing "Penny
Can". In the evenings they enjoyed the hot tub, bonfires on the beach and
had some major dance parties on the top deck with the disco ball.
There were a few families arriving at Callville Bay Marina
through the week, but overall the lake was pleasantly quiet. They even had this
popular cove to themselves along with the coyotes, hawks and waterfowl for company.
"There is nothing like being on such a beautiful, peaceful beach, walking in
the warm sand, gazing at the starry sky, with every modern convenience just a
few feet away. We returned happy, rested and thankful for the peaceful time
together on the lake," says Duna.
If you are thinking about having Thanksgiving on the Lake in a houseboat it's a great idea. Take it from Duna
and her family who have been doing it for 13 years!