Are you REALLY prepared to take that Boat-- AFLOAT?

So, you think you have everything you need for a day, on your boat, on a lake or the bay, the ocean or the delta? What items do you need to make your day safer and more fun? Have you thought about that potential emergency? What happens if your boat incurs a devastating leak from hitting an object that is submerged?
What about the other occupants in your boat? Are you prepared for an emergency should you not be able to return to the pier in short order? What about the safety of those guests you've invited to come along for just an outing, for fishing, or maybe for that bit of water skiing? Do you have any safety equipment on board? If there are skiers, do you have that red warning flag to let other boaters and skiers know you have guests in a water toy, or in the water just swimming around or diving, or at the ready on skis? Maybe it's not required where you take your boat afloat, but do you know? Do you have children on board? Do you have safety vests for everyone including the small children aboard? How about plenty of drinking water, sodas, or snacks?
What about the sun? Do your guests have protective eye wear, goggles, or sun glasses? Do you? What about caps or some protection for scalps? How about sunscreen? The worst sunburns can be gotten from the sun's rays dancing off the water providing bounding UV rays, yielding very red and chafed skin, as well as damage to the eyes from the constant bright glare! Are you prepared?
What happens if the motor goes and you become stranded? Do you have any type of communication device, like a CB or 2-way radio. Cell phones may not work. What about a set of paddles, or oars of some type?
Lastly, have you thought about something as basic as a First Aid Kit? What about flares? Does anyone have extra dry clothes, maybe a blanket or two on board, or a tarp? You don't have to bring the "whole house," but a word to the wise about carrying at least some of these items, even on a short day trip, on your boat afloat. Are you REALLY prepared to take YOUR boat--afloat?

BOATS AFLOAT in OUR Desert!

We have lived in Las Vegas for nearly twelve years. For at least seven years, I've heard people talk about "lakes" in the valley. This is a desert! I knew of our major lake, which is internationally known. It is Lake Mead, a huge spawling body of crystal blue green water, which is contained behind the great Hoover Dam (or Boulder as most know it.) The lake is bordered by Nevada and Arizona and is fed by the Colorado River. There are many types of boats afloat here, but basically one sees motor boats, pontoons, and ski boats, as well as Sea-Doos, and Jet Skis on the water all the time. The water level has dropped over 100 feet, millions of acre feet of water, since we have lived here because of the ongoing drought. Several other states use the water from this lake as well. Southern California gets a larger portion than all of Nevada. There is even a history of a sunken city in the lake which has surfaced only once since the lake was filled.
We have wetlands, where unusual species of plants and birds can be found, where small ponds form when it rains, but I could never imagine a lake of any type in this desert.
One day, while driving east on the Lake Mead Parkway, after crossing Boulder Highway, I noted being on Lake Las Vegas Parkway! I drove about ten miles, and came upon a sign which read "Lake Montelago/Lake Las Vegas!" I was like, "Well, I have to check this out!"  As I approached the resort entrance, I noted this to be a high end residential area, which was developed for the wealthy, for seclusion, relaxation and golf. The area was and is still being developed by Intrawest Corporation. It sports custom homes everywhere, tucked behind numerous palm trees, shrubs and man-made terrain, with private docks for boats and yachts, hundreds of palm trees, and golf courses. It demonstrates a total Mediterranean motif. It is home to a Ritz Carlton Hotel, Loew's Las Vegas, and Lake Montelago, which is a pristine body of water deep enough in some areas to moor yachts. There are several lakes of varying depths. Surrounding this outstandingly beautiful lake area, off in the distance, are mountains, which in winter have snow caps. Lake Las Vegas boasts a wonderful shopping district, spa, and numerous restaurants, as well as a casino, all on property. It is seventeen miles east of "The Strip," in Henderson, Nevada..
Now, I AM A BELIEVER!  There ARE lakes in the desert!
THIS is where to take YOUR boat---to float---and so much more........in OUR desert!

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