John Poimiroo, former director, State of California Travel & Tourism Commission

Reviewed by Bonita M. in Redding, CA on 04/18/2012

“When serving as California’s state tourism director, I was asked by a national travel magazine what was my favorite vacation. When I called Joan and asked her, she replied without hesitation, “houseboating at Shasta.” What she loved about it was the absolutely care-free time we enjoyed with family and friends. Her mother, sister and brother had joined us with their children on one big houseboat (whose costs we shared). During the day, we’d cruise slowly, letting the kids steer as we supervised. They loved the authority it gave them. Out there on the lake, they grew in confidence, learning responsibility. Or, we’d drift, reading, sunning, playing games, fishing or chatting while the kids would slide down the water slide or jet ski. For adventure we’d pull into a cove and hike to an abandoned mining town or visit the Shasta Caverns or Shasta Dam. You ate when you wanted to eat. Each of us took our turn cooking, and all tried to outdo one another with their culinary prowess… even the kids got into that. It was always an adventure anchoring the boat to shore after someone had spotted the perfect cove (it always seemed someone else got to the one we wanted, but then we would cruise a bit further and find a better anchorage). We’d tie up the boat with its stern toward the sunset and sit atop it as we enjoyed a cocktail and watched the sky and lake change color. When the stars came out, we line danced on the top of the boat, laughing and enjoying the disgust that our teenagers had for our nerdiness. Then, they joined in. There were no restaurant prices to pay (though a few surround the lake), no timetable, but mostly it was being together in a beautiful place with people we loved, having simple fun together.” John Poimiroo, former director State of California Travel & Tourism Commission --------------------------------------------------------------------------------