Shasta houseboat trips are fun for everyone! Unless you have a trip like this one. Ok, never mind - that trip WAS fun.

In addition to Frans and Christina, here are the members of the houseboat crew, 2003.

• Greg and Nancy Chambers, the only people we know in the North Bay and owners of an awesome ski boat. Visit their winery online.
• Keaton Roosen, Frans' 15-year-old son and tubing madman.
• Breanne Roosen, Frans' 18-year-old daughter and recent high school graduate.
• Ryan Murray, Breanne's boyfriend and dedicated fisherman.

Our adventure began early on Monday June 2nd. We loaded up into the truck, and headed up 101 to Cloverdale to meet Nancy and Greg. From there, the caravan went north towards Clear Lake. Clear Lake looked peaceful and full of fish, but we had a much bigger lake in our sights! We made a quick stop for lunch, and a longer stop at Phil's Propeller in Redding. Then it was on to Holiday Harbor to check in and load up our boat. The boat had space to sleep 16 people, so the seven of us had plenty of room.

Lake Shasta hadn't been so full since 1998. The water was beautiful, clear and calm. Most California students aren't out of school until mid-June, so the lake wasn't nearly as busy as it will be during mid-summer. With temperatures in the 100s, we did a lot of swimming. Jumping right off the back of the houseboat is the best way to cool off.

Oh yeah, we did some fishing too. Morning, noon, and night. We may have done more, but we had some trolling motor issues. You can ask Frans about that.

Thanks to Greg and Nancy for joining us, for letting us play in their boat, and for the incredible snacks. Thanks to Frans for coming up with the idea, and planning the trip. I think we'll make this an annual event!