Have you ever considered exploring from the comforts of your boat?
This is one of our favorite ways and opportunities to see and experience new frontiers. We often set aside a least a few weekends each year for just such exploration and adventures. Often we'll see or maybe hear about new and interesting places and want to experience them for ourselves. Sometimes it seems that half the fun of the entire adventure is often spent on our computers researching about potential new waters to visit and explore for ourselves. Though we really do love to visit the lakes and reservoirs that are within reasonable driving distance of our home, we've really become attached and attracted to the rivers in our area. The rivers just seem to be more majestic with a sort of magical qualities that is really difficult to truly express or explain let alone put into words here.
Maybe it’s the heritage that surrounds our rivers that is the most appealing and most interesting. After all as America was settled it was along these waters and vast river bottoms for agricultural and transportation of goods the early pioneers found most appealing. Therefore some of the oldest and most majestic homes and farmsteads can still be seen along these waterways with careful observation. We are fortunate in a sense to live where we have access to a large part of the upper Ohio Valley's river system and have had the opportunity to boat and utilize so much of it. Within an hour's drive of our home we have our choice of four different and unique rivers which are navigable for recreational boating.Though we utilize the Muskingum River primarily as our home waters, summer is never complete without a least a visit to some of the others available to us here. Our other choices could or would be the Ohio River, Monongahela River, or maybe even the Allegheny River.
We have always found it uniquely interesting to be able to observe new and interesting scenery that can only be observed from the comforts of a boat. And rivers unlike lakes seem to change sometimes considerably from year to year. The works of nature are always evident and at work constantly as the waters rise and fall and seasons come and go. There's always a sense of anticipation each year as we again launch our boat in preparation of our first seasonal adventure of the new boating season. Being the adventurous souls that we are and wanting the total freedom and total lack of time restraints, and having no set direction or anywhere we have to be. All of our needs and necessary supplies are stowed aboard our boat and it allows us to meander along as we see fit.
It's like yesterday almost when I finally talked my other half into our first expedition to our now favorite river. She'd been looking at the internet constantly for months trying to find something in her favor so she could sanctify her fears and have a good objection. Before that trip we'd always boated on the lakes around the area and had been to nearly all of them by that point. I was ready for something different, something new, somewhere I'd never been to before. Honestly haven't you experienced this yourself, just feel the need to experience something different and new to you? Well I've passed over this river for years and knew it was navigable seen a few boats on it but knew nothing about it which in reality made it perfect. At the time I had a brand new pontoon boat with a brand new motor, I also had a dog that would follow me anywhere. Then there was the the wary, worried, reluctant, but willing to follow me anywhere wife. Her reluctant participation in this expedition was for all practical purposes actually funny. Though we'd been planning for some time for preparation of this trip, there wasn't any convincing her that she'd brought everything we'd need. All the way down the road to the boat ramp there was a continuous rambling of all the potential supplies she'd forgotten, and potential dangers we'd face in this river. Between me and you except for the firearms part, Louis and Clark should have been so well provisioned to explore the entire northwest. Thank goodness our Pontoon Boat has lots of storage space under the seats or a person couldn't have moved on it.
In reality many of the things we feel are needed and must haves, are really just not necessary or needed on a trip such as this one. Most of the items ended up simply stowed away and forgotten about for the entire trip, but she was more comfortable going feeling everything possibly necessary was covered. So such as it is after all a happy first mate makes for a happy satisfied Captain and I'm all for being happy if you follow my drift. Besides it's the first mates responsibility and problem to stow the cargo while the Captain pilots the boat and maybe imbibes in a resource or two. Besides all this also provides you entertainment of sorts for you'll hear a constant muttering as dedicated first mate attempts to stow all the cargo. Rule one do not reply or respond, or acknowledge anything concerning or related to the muttering of first mate. Rule two first mate is receiving an education, should you survive this first excursion rest assured, there will be far less unnecessary cargo on any or all of your future expeditions you may choose to make.
We happen to have a wonderful pontoon boat that's set up almost perfectly for such expeditions. The seats are set up on it to pull out and make quite comfortable beds for four, real easily. We also purchased a full enclosure as an optional extra when we purchased the boat, which is also an expensive value added item I might add. And to be truthful we hardly ever actually make use of it ourselves, and unless the weather is horrible we camp on our pontoon every weekend all summer long. But then again my first mate is pretty resilient about roughing it, your mate may vary considerably on this issue though. We happen to love to sleep under the stars and observe the night sky until sleep catches or overtakes us to our own land of dreams. And it's always an awesome and memorial experience to wake up in the morning, and making some coffee observing and sharing the awaking world around us with a clear and unobstructed view of our surroundings. We almost exclusively nose into and utilize a rural secluded sandbar or island for our overnight hideaways, where we're free to let the dog exercise and do its things without disturbing or annoying anyone else around us.
Should you choose to make your own expedition on waters unknown to you, there are some items that may be indispensable should you have a mishap and they can and do happen. Always have a good usable spare prop and wrench to change it. Rivers can and do have snags and other obstructions that are not always visible at surface that can and often do an excellent job of destroying props should you encounter one of them. Also should you enjoy playing your tunes as much as we do, pack along an emergency jumper or spare battery just in case you may need it? We also always stow along a gas can for reserve fuel just in case we should run low. Fuel can be hard to obtain on some rivers in places but it's usually just a short walk to a road to obtain it, if you've brought a fuel can along with you. You may also want to include some electrical tape and a few other hand tools you feel could be handy to get you out of difficulty. In our boat at least anything but the minor stuff is going to mean a needed tow to the nearest marina or ramp. But this has never been a real concern to us, because all the other boaters we've ever encountered are more than willing to help others that may be in just such a pickle.
We always pack plenty of coolers along when we're on one of our excursions. We've found that keeping the drinks, and cold foodstuff in separate coolers works best and the ice holds better for us. We've also found that munchies, bread and stuff also keep much better and fresher when stored in a cooler also. A barbeque grill is always necessary and welcome anytime and anywhere we go boating. On our excursions we also take our Colman gas stove because breakfast food and our coffee (mandatory) is far easier prepared on a stove. A spotlight and a few small flashlights are also always welcome, plus we also use a small led lantern for general lighting as necessary. Skip the gas lanterns unless placing well away from your boat, for they'll draw tons of miserable insects like a beacon in the night. Since we're talking usually comfortably warm summer nights, light summer sleeping bags will usually provide enough needed warmth for a comfortable night under the evening stars. We utilize the river or lake water or inexpensive solar showers depending on air or water temperatures for freshening up, or our bathing needs. If your particular boat lacks provisions for sleeping, there are inexpensive tents available that are compact enough to stow away easily on your boat. Back again to the excess cargo issue my first mate tends to pack far too much unnecessary extra clothing which we never need or use. I mean we're going boating and exploring, not to the Hilton to impress people. She soon learned a couple changes of clothing, a sweat shirt, and a light waterproof windbreaker jacket works well and you'll survive just fine. Your actual needs may vary some from this, but we've always managed to get by comfortably enough and have a wonderful time.
So if you're tired or bored of going round and round in your home waters I encourage you to pack a few needed supplies and take your own weekend excursion, and see some new territory and broaden your horizon. The one and only other thing that should receive top consideration from all of us using these resources is to respect others. If you observe others at anchor or just slowly trolling along please give them a wide berth. Please show the same consideration that you would like others to show you. And always be sure to pick up and remove all litter and dispose of properly. If we all can follow these very basic rules everyone can continue having a pleasant peaceful community on the water.
Please check out some of our other blogs and also Visit Us At: http://www.pontoonhouseboatodyssey.com/
Maybe it’s the heritage that surrounds our rivers that is the most appealing and most interesting. After all as America was settled it was along these waters and vast river bottoms for agricultural and transportation of goods the early pioneers found most appealing. Therefore some of the oldest and most majestic homes and farmsteads can still be seen along these waterways with careful observation. We are fortunate in a sense to live where we have access to a large part of the upper Ohio Valley's river system and have had the opportunity to boat and utilize so much of it. Within an hour's drive of our home we have our choice of four different and unique rivers which are navigable for recreational boating.Though we utilize the Muskingum River primarily as our home waters, summer is never complete without a least a visit to some of the others available to us here. Our other choices could or would be the Ohio River, Monongahela River, or maybe even the Allegheny River.
We have always found it uniquely interesting to be able to observe new and interesting scenery that can only be observed from the comforts of a boat. And rivers unlike lakes seem to change sometimes considerably from year to year. The works of nature are always evident and at work constantly as the waters rise and fall and seasons come and go. There's always a sense of anticipation each year as we again launch our boat in preparation of our first seasonal adventure of the new boating season. Being the adventurous souls that we are and wanting the total freedom and total lack of time restraints, and having no set direction or anywhere we have to be. All of our needs and necessary supplies are stowed aboard our boat and it allows us to meander along as we see fit.
It's like yesterday almost when I finally talked my other half into our first expedition to our now favorite river. She'd been looking at the internet constantly for months trying to find something in her favor so she could sanctify her fears and have a good objection. Before that trip we'd always boated on the lakes around the area and had been to nearly all of them by that point. I was ready for something different, something new, somewhere I'd never been to before. Honestly haven't you experienced this yourself, just feel the need to experience something different and new to you? Well I've passed over this river for years and knew it was navigable seen a few boats on it but knew nothing about it which in reality made it perfect. At the time I had a brand new pontoon boat with a brand new motor, I also had a dog that would follow me anywhere. Then there was the the wary, worried, reluctant, but willing to follow me anywhere wife. Her reluctant participation in this expedition was for all practical purposes actually funny. Though we'd been planning for some time for preparation of this trip, there wasn't any convincing her that she'd brought everything we'd need. All the way down the road to the boat ramp there was a continuous rambling of all the potential supplies she'd forgotten, and potential dangers we'd face in this river. Between me and you except for the firearms part, Louis and Clark should have been so well provisioned to explore the entire northwest. Thank goodness our Pontoon Boat has lots of storage space under the seats or a person couldn't have moved on it.
In reality many of the things we feel are needed and must haves, are really just not necessary or needed on a trip such as this one. Most of the items ended up simply stowed away and forgotten about for the entire trip, but she was more comfortable going feeling everything possibly necessary was covered. So such as it is after all a happy first mate makes for a happy satisfied Captain and I'm all for being happy if you follow my drift. Besides it's the first mates responsibility and problem to stow the cargo while the Captain pilots the boat and maybe imbibes in a resource or two. Besides all this also provides you entertainment of sorts for you'll hear a constant muttering as dedicated first mate attempts to stow all the cargo. Rule one do not reply or respond, or acknowledge anything concerning or related to the muttering of first mate. Rule two first mate is receiving an education, should you survive this first excursion rest assured, there will be far less unnecessary cargo on any or all of your future expeditions you may choose to make.
We happen to have a wonderful pontoon boat that's set up almost perfectly for such expeditions. The seats are set up on it to pull out and make quite comfortable beds for four, real easily. We also purchased a full enclosure as an optional extra when we purchased the boat, which is also an expensive value added item I might add. And to be truthful we hardly ever actually make use of it ourselves, and unless the weather is horrible we camp on our pontoon every weekend all summer long. But then again my first mate is pretty resilient about roughing it, your mate may vary considerably on this issue though. We happen to love to sleep under the stars and observe the night sky until sleep catches or overtakes us to our own land of dreams. And it's always an awesome and memorial experience to wake up in the morning, and making some coffee observing and sharing the awaking world around us with a clear and unobstructed view of our surroundings. We almost exclusively nose into and utilize a rural secluded sandbar or island for our overnight hideaways, where we're free to let the dog exercise and do its things without disturbing or annoying anyone else around us.
Should you choose to make your own expedition on waters unknown to you, there are some items that may be indispensable should you have a mishap and they can and do happen. Always have a good usable spare prop and wrench to change it. Rivers can and do have snags and other obstructions that are not always visible at surface that can and often do an excellent job of destroying props should you encounter one of them. Also should you enjoy playing your tunes as much as we do, pack along an emergency jumper or spare battery just in case you may need it? We also always stow along a gas can for reserve fuel just in case we should run low. Fuel can be hard to obtain on some rivers in places but it's usually just a short walk to a road to obtain it, if you've brought a fuel can along with you. You may also want to include some electrical tape and a few other hand tools you feel could be handy to get you out of difficulty. In our boat at least anything but the minor stuff is going to mean a needed tow to the nearest marina or ramp. But this has never been a real concern to us, because all the other boaters we've ever encountered are more than willing to help others that may be in just such a pickle.
We always pack plenty of coolers along when we're on one of our excursions. We've found that keeping the drinks, and cold foodstuff in separate coolers works best and the ice holds better for us. We've also found that munchies, bread and stuff also keep much better and fresher when stored in a cooler also. A barbeque grill is always necessary and welcome anytime and anywhere we go boating. On our excursions we also take our Colman gas stove because breakfast food and our coffee (mandatory) is far easier prepared on a stove. A spotlight and a few small flashlights are also always welcome, plus we also use a small led lantern for general lighting as necessary. Skip the gas lanterns unless placing well away from your boat, for they'll draw tons of miserable insects like a beacon in the night. Since we're talking usually comfortably warm summer nights, light summer sleeping bags will usually provide enough needed warmth for a comfortable night under the evening stars. We utilize the river or lake water or inexpensive solar showers depending on air or water temperatures for freshening up, or our bathing needs. If your particular boat lacks provisions for sleeping, there are inexpensive tents available that are compact enough to stow away easily on your boat. Back again to the excess cargo issue my first mate tends to pack far too much unnecessary extra clothing which we never need or use. I mean we're going boating and exploring, not to the Hilton to impress people. She soon learned a couple changes of clothing, a sweat shirt, and a light waterproof windbreaker jacket works well and you'll survive just fine. Your actual needs may vary some from this, but we've always managed to get by comfortably enough and have a wonderful time.
So if you're tired or bored of going round and round in your home waters I encourage you to pack a few needed supplies and take your own weekend excursion, and see some new territory and broaden your horizon. The one and only other thing that should receive top consideration from all of us using these resources is to respect others. If you observe others at anchor or just slowly trolling along please give them a wide berth. Please show the same consideration that you would like others to show you. And always be sure to pick up and remove all litter and dispose of properly. If we all can follow these very basic rules everyone can continue having a pleasant peaceful community on the water.
Please check out some of our other blogs and also Visit Us At: http://www.pontoonhouseboatodyssey.com/
Posted by blog.houseboatodyssey1.com at 3/10/2009 11:43 AM 
Categories: Pontoon Boat (s), Article, Redneck, Boating Activities, Muskingum River
Tags: accessories River Monongahela boating Ohio recreation supplies picture pontoon
Categories: Pontoon Boat (s), Article, Redneck, Boating Activities, Muskingum River
Tags: accessories River Monongahela boating Ohio recreation supplies picture pontoon
Perhaps this pontoon boat captain should remember that boat crews have been known to mutiny and force the captain to walk the plank.
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