Lake Shasta

My brother Nate and his family vacation on a house boat on Lake Shasta every year. I have heard all about this trip through the years and the stars aligned this year for us to join them (thank you Covid!) We left the day after "school" ended, flew from Orlando to Sacramento, rented a car and drove up to Redding where we all met up and stayed 1 night in a hotel together and then loaded ourselves on the boat the next morning. We spent a full week on the boat and it was amazing! We all agree, one of the best vacations we have ever been on.

It was a long day of travel. We couldn't find a direct flight. A lot of airlines were paring down their flights due to COVID. So we had a layover. And we had to wear masks. But we had room inbetween each other on the plane. 

We loaded luggage, bedding and food for 15 people on the boat and then sailed off. The boat was amazing. A triple decker that actually sleeps 22 with a hot tub on top and a slide from the top floor to the bottom. 

Daniel, with the most boating experience, is the captain here. Benny - 1st mate!

Here is our little cove.

We started catching fish right off that bat and we knew it was going to be a gooooood week!!

Can't resist the panoramic but it just isn't quite as pretty as in person!

My brother rented a ski boat and brought 3 different tubes, plus a wakesurf board. He rented 2 juet ski's, had a floating island, 2 paddle boards. Anything you could possible imagine for a lake vacation.

Early morning fishing tounaments.

Big Fish.

Evening fishing was steallar, too. A couple nights the boys were out well past dark. It was a dream come true. 

One of Benny's favoite past times was to throw rocks off the top of the houseboat. Grandpa would set up cans for him along the shore and cut open a water jug to more easily tote rocks up to the top. He could throw those rocks for hours. 

Boat riding. 

I didn't get many tubing pictures but it was a sure highlight of the trip. The kids would double tube and jump on each others tubes and it got a little crazy. Here is a nice easy ride with Benny and  Hallee. I also snagged one of Ivy wake surfing.

Our home away from home. So dreamy on the lake. No cell service. No electronics, no TV just games and conversation. It was heavenly. 

Of course, all good things come to an end. We drove back to Sacramento and stayed 1 night before an early flight back home to Orlando. 

Professional mask wearer.