British Columbia

Houseboat For Sale in Salmon Arm

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Houseboat close up outside

Houseboat on dock

Houseboat on pier

Houseboat upper helm

Lake view from houseboat

Lake view to rear of houseboat

Houseboat slide is super fun

Dining area on houseboat

Light and fan on wall of stateroom

There are 2 staterooms like this. Another one with a raised bed and closet. There are 3 cuddy sleeping areas with double beds and a room with a double size bunk bed.
There are 2 staterooms like this. Another one with a raised bed and closet. There are 3 cuddy sleeping areas with double beds and a room with a double size bunk bed.
The hot tub makes the boat fun even in the rain and cooler months of the year.
The hot tub makes the boat fun even in the rain and cooler months of the year.
There are 2 bathrooms. The main bathroom has a shower as well.
There are 2 bathrooms. The main bathroom has a shower as well.

View of calm lake from houseboat

63 Foot Vessel of Fun

Your new houseboat is better than a cabin at the lake for a lot less! With capacity to sleep 17 people, you can host your entire family! You have all the amenities of home with a fully furnished and ready to enjoy houseboat. The kitchen is fully stocked with 2 dual power fridges, a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, full size propane stove, pots, pans, dishes, utensils, glasses, cups, and even stemware.

I already replaced all these items with new replacements, so you don’t have to worry about them:
Major leg service. Required dry dock and disconnecting from engine. Over $3000.
Starter
Alternator
Distributor
Starter Battery
Bank of 6, 6V Batteries. Over $1200.
Engine Water Pump
Engine Impeller
Hot Tub Heater. This is a rare unit worth over $1500 including install.
Top deck outside speakers.
Furnace Thermostat.

Specs
Model: Waterway Houseboats Mirage, built in 1996
Sleeps: 17
3 staterooms with double beds.
3 cuddies with double beds.
1 room with 2 double bunk beds.
1 96” sofa in the living room.

Kitchen: fully equipped
Dishes, cups, glasses, wine glasses, utensils, etc.
Propane stove – 4 burners and full size oven.
2 Dometic dual power fridges. Run on propane and/or electricity.
Microwave
Coffeemaker
BBQ on the deck.

Living and Dining Area
Dining table with leaf to seat 6.
2 Barstools
Large 96 inch sofa.
Wet bar.
TV & DVD player.
Stereo with auxiliary input.
Steering helm with VHF radio and fish finder.
18 life vests.

Bathrooms
3 piece bath includes shower, sink, and toilet.
2 piece bath includes sink and toilet.
Hot Tub: 8 person. Fills from lake and heats within 2 – 4 hours with efficient and new propane heater.
Top Deck – large and open with the 8 person hot tub and a bimini cover for the front area of the deck which is not shown in any of the pictures as I prefer the sunshine. The cover is included. There’s also a steering helm and stereo for the top deck. As noted, the top deck speakers were replaced with top rated Pioneer marine grade speakers.

Maintenance Costs
Winterize and summerize: $200 – $300 each.
Insurance: $1450 per year.
Park Fees: $15 per night is the cost to park at any of the provincial parks on the Shuswap Lake system. A season pass can be purchased for about $600.
Taxes: $0. This is another benefit over a cabin on the lake.

Length: 63’
Width: 16’
Height: 18’ to top of bimini, 12’ to top of structure. (Approximate.)
Weight: 26,000 pounds (Approximate.)
Fuel Capacity: 750 litres (Approximate.)
Holding Tank: 800 litres (Approximate.)
Engine: Volvo Penta 3L
Power: 6 x 6 volt deep cycle cabin batteries charged by alternator or shore power. System includes battery isolator and Heart Interface power inverter for 110V.
Propane: 4 x 60 pound tanks.

Make this amazing floating cabin yours for way less than any waterfront property on the Shuswap. Call, text or email to setup a viewing. It’s currently moored in Canoe, near Salmon Arm.
Yours for $89,900! Call Dave today at 250-574-2932.

British Columbia

Sicamous from Kamloops by Houseboat

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The Crew: Jonas, Kent, and I.
The Mission: Voyage our 63′ houseboat 157 kms from the Dot Calm Marina in Kamloops to Waterways Houseboats in Sicamous.

First I spent days preparing for the journey by making sure all the components on the boat were operational after the winter. Fuel also needed to be hauled to the boat, so I made several trips to transfer fuel to fill the tank for the long, upstream voyage.

The other major challenge was getting the CN Rail bridge in downtown Kamloops opened. My first contacts with CN were useless. Finally through some personal connections I reached Sheridan Walker (250-371-1612), who coordinated the necessary crew. Robin Marcello (250-318-1399) was also instrumental in getting the bridge opened.

We embarked early Thursday morning to make sure we’d have plenty of daylight time on the water. Our first stop was Riverside Park where we tied to a piling while we waited for the bridge to be opened. It hadn’t been opened for some time, so replacement parts needed to be installed by the railway crew. Finally around 12:30 we passed through the bridge. (Jonas or Kent, you have pics of that?) It was a beautiful warm day of 28 degrees celsius as we plodded up the South Thompson. Kent made his exit at the LaFarge bridge around 16:30. Shortly after dropping Kent, we were cutting corners to try and make up time. That’s when we ran the front up on a sandbar a couple feet under the surface. It took about 30 minutes of manoeuvring to dislodge the boat and we were back on our way. Jonas and I continued on to Pritchard where we landed in the dark a little after 22:00. Luckily Amanda met us with some cold beer and we shared a late dinner of steak.

It was another early morning on the second day. (Amanda departed for the day, to return later in the evening.) Jonas and I had an uneventful morning until the S-curves leading into Chase. That’s where the current picked up a lot and we had to up the RPM’s to 3000 to make painstakingly slow progress. After an hour battling the current of the S-curves, we sailed into Little Shuswap Lake. As it was Friday, we spent most of the afternoon coordinating with our party crew; where to pick them up, what to bring, how they’d get back. St. Ives was the chosen pick-up and drop-off. Later in the afternoon a storm chased us across the lake and gave us a good tailwind. We met Amanda, Carly, Christina, Marcel, & Virginia at St. Ives around 21:00. After quickly installing and testing new marine speakers for the top deck, we continued on to Nielsen Beach. Again we made landfall shortly after 22:00 in the twilight. After a family dinner, a quick drinking game, (What was that called? No teeth!), and filling our cups for a wander up the beach to meet our neighbours. All in all, a pretty uneventful night.

Morning brought rain and we had to get moving to stay on the sailing schedule. After dropping everyone back at St. Ives, I continued on solo to Waterways, just past Sicamous. Two and a half days, 34 boating hours, and 157kms later, I arrived at Waterways! Epic Voyage of a lifetime!
(See below photos for customized route map.)

Sunrise in Kamloops at 5:30 am in May.
Sunrise in Kamloops at 5:30 am in May.
Another perfect day in sunny Kamloops.
Another perfect day in sunny Kamloops.

View to the North Thompson in Kamloops

It's a perfect day on the Thompson River in Kamloops as we embark on a 3 day voyage to Waterway's in Sicamous.
It’s a perfect day on the Thompson River in Kamloops as we embark on a 3 day voyage to Waterway’s in Sicamous.
Looking back as we power up the South Thompson River.
Looking back as we power up the South Thompson River.
On the morning of the second day, the sun rises over the Pritchard bridge.
On the morning of the second day, the sun rises over the Pritchard bridge.
The trestle bridge in Pritchard is an icon. It marks the beginning of our second day.
The trestle bridge in Pritchard is an icon. It marks the beginning of our second day.
View from the Captain's helm of the houseboat.
View from the Captain’s helm of the houseboat.
We're about to pass under the bridge in Chase that crosses the South Thompson River.
We’re about to pass under the bridge in Chase that crosses the South Thompson River.
Around noon of the second day, we entered the calm waters of Little Shuswap Lake.
Around noon of the second day, we entered the calm waters of Little Shuswap Lake.
Jonas watches for deadheads. We were pretty happy to be off the river and enjoy some easy lake boating.
Jonas watches for deadheads. We were pretty happy to be off the river and enjoy some easy lake boating.
Little Shuswap makes for easy sailing compared to the South Thompson River.
Little Shuswap makes for easy sailing compared to the South Thompson River.
A storm blew in from behind as we chugged up the Shuswap to pick-up our crew in St. Ives.
A storm blew in from behind as we chugged up the Shuswap to pick-up our crew in St. Ives.

Sun shines through the storm clouds on the Shuswap

On the third day we woke up to rain on the Shuswap.
On the third day we woke up to rain on the Shuswap.
Shipmates cuddle while some of us cook breakfast.
Shipmates cuddle while some of us cook breakfast.

Map of 157 km Epic Voyage by Houseboat:

Travel

Medellin, Colombia

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A serene walk in the woods of Arvi Park. There's a small and excellent market at the top, outside the tram stop.
A serene walk in the woods of Arvi Park. There’s a small and excellent market at the top, outside the tram station.

 

The unique style of Botero.

The unique style of Botero.
The square in El Centro has more Botero statues than you can fit in a photo.
The square in El Centro has more Botero statues than you can fit in a photo.
An amazing city to look out over as it stretches far in the distance and up the sides of the valley.
An amazing city to look out over as it stretches far in the distance and up the sides of the valley.
Botero statue of a woman laying on her side.
Botero statue of a woman laying on her side.
Botero horse statue.
Botero horse statue.
The hills are steep, but people still cram the hillside with homes.
The hills are steep, but people still cram the hillside with homes.
Unique chequered brick work. Anyone know what this building is?
Unique chequered brick work. Anyone know what this building is?
For those who appreciate a big head.
For those who appreciate a big head.
Stand off. Neither one was backing down either.
Stand off. Neither one was backing down either.
View from the library.
View from the library.
El Centro is a busy place.
El Centro is a busy place.
The tram ride is quite affordable. The first big section is included in your metro ticket.
The tram ride is quite affordable. The first big section is included in your metro ticket.
Awesome views from the cable car.
Awesome views from the cable car.
That's the library at the top. Kind of felt like we were peering into people's lives as we could see in their windows and back porches from the tram above.
That’s the library at the top. Kind of felt like we were peering into people’s lives as we could see in their windows and back porches from the tram above.

 

As the 2nd largest city in Colombia, Medellin is big and busy.  We found it to be extremely clean, organized, and safe.

Originally, we had planned to party all weekend.  On the Friday night we went to Lleras which was busy and fun.  That was it for that weekend though as we discovered the election on Sunday meant no alcohol sales until Monday morning.  We ended up going to an interesting live music and visual arts show in a small theatre on Saturday night.

 

Travel

Cartagena, Colombia: Beach and Kite Surfing

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Las playas! Magnifico.

The old wall is quite wide in spots. They have cafes setup on top with amazing views. In the evenings, its a popular place to have some cervezas.
The old wall is quite wide in spots. They have cafes setup on top with amazing views. In the evenings, its a popular place to have some cervezas.
Cortez?
Cortez?
Vince Vaughn is recruiting for Dodgeball Deux
Vince Vaughn is recruiting for Dodgeball Deux
This door is a big deal. Know who else is a big deal?
This door is a big deal. Know who else is a big deal?
Street in the walled city. Very typical.
Street in the walled city. Very typical.
Spanish Colonial Building
Spanish Colonial Building
School kids playing
School kids playing
Playa y hombres
Playa y hombres
The legendary G.
The legendary G.
Kytes
Kites
This kite surfing school had several packages available.
This kite surfing school had several packages available.
Dodgeball on the beach
Dodgeball on the beach
Typical beach cafe.
Typical beach cafe.
Still ready to fire!
Still ready to fire!
Wide and expansive beaches.
Wide and expansive beaches.

Old wall lit up at night Gringos on the bus

Amigos on an evening city tour. You can buy tickets from Pedro, the Denzel Washington look (and act) alike in the city square.
Amigos on an evening city tour. You can buy tickets from Pedro, the Denzel Washington look (and act) alike in the city square.
The iconic clock tower of Cartagena.
The iconic clock tower of Cartagena.
Hi. Hi.
Hi.
Hola.

Here’s a page with lots of info on Kite Surfing in Colombia, including Cartagena.

Travel

Ciudad Perdida, Colombia – The Lost City

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Ciudad Perdida was one of the highlights of our trip and I highly recommend it to people who enjoy a good 4 to 5 day hike. We had great weather with no rain, which meant hot afternoons. In the mornings, we were up around 5am to be on the trail by 6am. This was to avoid the heat and catch the sun rise. Although hiking in the heat was hard work, the waterfall swimming pools at the end of every day (except the last) were a magnificent reward. Amazing water and then catch some rays in the sun.

The camps were very basic as were the meals. Two of the three nights, we slept in hammocks. Much better than the ground, but very difficult to get a consistent sleep; an experience nonetheless.

There are many amazing views along the way as you climb up and down mountain ridges and across streams in the valleys. Occasionally you’ll meet some indigenous folks along the path who still live their lives off the land in the mountains.

Ciudad Perdida itself is amazing, set in a stunning mountain landscape with a waterfall flowing not far away. The photos can not do justice to this amazing ancient city. It’s very spread out, so you cannot capture the scope of it in a picture.

There are several tour companies that supposedly all charge the same, 600,000 COP. That covers everything; transport, park entrance, food, and a place to sleep. There are 4, 5, & 6 day options, but it’s very reasonable to do it in 4 days. You don’t need to book in advance really from what we could tell. Day before is what we did.

Sorry about the order of the images, way too time consuming to sort in WordPress.

In the small town of Machete where you start and end your trek, is a pool hall, bar, and butcher shop all in one. We played some Tejo there on our way back, but passed on the meat.
In the small town of Machete where you start and end your trek, is a pool hall, bar, and butcher shop all in one. We played some Tejo there on our way back, but passed on the meat.
Tucking into bed the night before Ciudad Perdida.
Tucking into bed the night before Ciudad Perdida.
The morning before hiking to Ciudad Perdida, we ate breakfast in the dark - early.
The morning before hiking to Ciudad Perdida, we ate breakfast in the dark – early.
Sign reads: The first of many, many rocks.
Sign reads: The first of many, many rocks.
1200 steep rock steps lead to the Lost City.
1200 steep rock steps lead to the Lost City.
They built their homes on these rock circles. The bigger the circle, the bigger the family.
They built their homes on these rock circles. The bigger the circle, the bigger the family.
You're going to see a lot of rocks.
You’re going to see a lot of rocks.
It's a big rock . . . shaped like a frog. The Tayrona worshipped it.
It’s a big rock . . . shaped like a frog. The Tayrona worshipped it.
Lots of rock walls. Amazing landscapers.
Lots of rock walls. Amazing landscapers.
Our guide Carlos sits on the sacred throne.
Our guide Carlos sits on the sacred throne.
Tools for grinding grain and corn were made out of, you guessed it, rocks.
Tools for grinding grain and corn were made out of, you guessed it, rocks.
Maps, also made out of . . . yes, rock!
Maps, also made out of . . . yes, rock!
The white dots are cattle grazing on the hill side.
The white dots are cattle grazing on the hill side.
Ciudad Perdida stretches out below. It extends beyond that terrace and down both sides of the mountain and up behind where the picture was taken from.
Ciudad Perdida stretches out below. It extends beyond that terrace and down both sides of the mountain and up behind where the picture was taken from.
Pictured from one of the higher terraces at Ciudad Perdida.
Pictured from one of the higher terraces at Ciudad Perdida.
Yes, it did feel that good!
Yes, it did feel that good!

Dave

Descending the 1200 steps.
Descending the 1200 steps.
This is one of the lower terraces.
This is one of the lower terraces.

First stream crossing

It does feel good to be on top!
It does feel good to be on top!
A settlement of the Tayrona we passed on the hike. The huts are made of mud with thatched roofs.
A settlement of the Tayrona we passed on the hike. The huts are made of mud with thatched roofs.
From a high ridge, you can see the valleys and mountains beyond mountains. Montanas.
From a high ridge, you can see the valleys and mountains beyond mountains. Montanas.
Mas mantanas.
Mas mantanas.
Keep your eyes open for huts and locals.
Keep your eyes open for huts and locals.
This was the camp for our first night. Hammocks are close enough to cuddle.
This was the camp for our first night. Hammocks are close enough to cuddle.
Typical dirt path through the jungle.
Typical dirt path through the jungle.

Looking up the stream Lost City high above the valley Lost City in the Mountains Lost City Rises

This throne is big, though the people were small.
This throne is big, though the people were small.

Lost City

A map of the region is carved on this rock.
A map of the region is carved on this rock.

Military guard the Lost City More rock walls Orange Coloured Tree Over the Ridge Path joining family circles Path leading higher Paths between terraces People gather at the top of the Lost City River Crossing Rock circles everywhere Rock paths Rock terraces Rocks in the water Rocks used as tools Side profile of ancient rock wall Slow stepper Soldiers guard Ciudad Perdida Steep Rock Path Stone steps Stone wall Sunshine at Ciudad Perdida Terraces connected by paths

This large frog shaped boulder was worshipped by the people who inhabited this ancient city.
This large frog shaped boulder was worshipped by the people who inhabited this ancient city.

The Main Meeting Area at the Lost City Thousands of steps have passed Throne at the Lost City Tiered rock wall Tools made of rock Wide stone path connects to upper city View of Lost City from Above View of the valley View of the river Walking bridge with hikers Still water runs deep View from Ciudad Perdida Swimming in the pool of a waterfall

Here are a few good articles for more info:
https://adinaontheroad.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/la-ciudad-perdida-trek-the-lost-city-colombia/comment-page-1/

http://tradingvoyageur.com/travel-blog/hiking-to-ciudad-perdida-the-lost-city-of-colombia/

http://grattanmaslin.blogspot.ca/2013/07/ciudad-perdida-lost-city-in-colombia.html

http://sotcblog.com/2013/02/27/first-time-trek-ciudad-perdida/

 

Travel

Taganga and Santa Marta

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Taganga is a small town on a beautiful bay a 10 minute drive from Santa Marta. Some people we met said it reminded them of Koh Tao in Thailand. We say, “No way!” It’s still a nice change of pace from Santa Marta and you can stay at a hostel on the beach and sit in the sun and drink for no mucho dinero. Our favourite experience in Taganga was Babaganoush! It’s an open air restaurant located on the top floor of a building. It has an amazing view of the bay which is perfect at sunset. The food is beyond amazing! The beef carpaccio was delicious and a generous serving. The Fillet Mignon was perfect and also a good size. It was so damn good, we went back for more a few days later. There are several options on the menu which I’m sure are also delicious. You will thank yourself for finding Babaganoush!

In Santa Marta, we ate at a tasty Mexican restaurante next to La Brisa Loca and drank at Charlie’s Bar (say Hi to Charlie for me) and La Brisa Loca.

Breakfast and Olympic hockey wins for these Canadians!
Breakfast and Olympic hockey wins for these Canadians!
Watching Olympic hockey at the Dropbear. Found the inscriptions on the wall pretty amusing too.
Watching Olympic hockey at the Dropbear. Found the inscriptions on the wall pretty amusing too.
Beer bonging at the Full Moon Party!
Beer bonging at the Full Moon Party!
Met Janine at Dropbear. Turns out she knows a good friend of mine from Salmon Arm. Let's drink to that!
Met Janine at Dropbear. Turns out she knows a good friend of mine from Salmon Arm. Let’s drink to that!
So funny!
So funny!
Old boats on the beach make an interesting statement, don't you think?
Old boats on the beach make an interesting statement, don’t you think?
Let's hit the high seas . . .
Let’s hit the high seas . . .
Blue sky and warm sand. (View from my beach chair.)
Blue sky and warm sand. (View from my beach chair.)
Taganga at dusk from Babaganoush. Eat there!
Taganga at dusk from Babaganoush. Eat there!
Travel

Bahia Concha and a Family Visit

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On one of our first days in Santa Marta, we decided to dig into the local culture. For a reasonable fee, a local guide agreed to show us a secluded swimming spot near Bahia Concha, the beach itself, and include a typical Colombian lunch with his family in a suburb of Santa Marta. The lunch might have been the most interesting part of the day. There were 11 people, including 6 kids, living in a 600 square foot, 3 room house, with concrete floors. They had electricity and running water, albeit they said it hadn’t been installed for their neighbourhood until 10 years ago. Very welcoming and friendly folks!

This little guy was full of smiles and assigned to be our server.
This little guy was full of smiles and assigned to be our server.

King del Casa
King del Casa
Our jokes are pretty funny in Spanish ;)
Our jokes are pretty funny in Spanish 😉
The kids were all lined up on the floor in the hall while they ate. Nice & quiet :)
The kids were all lined up on the floor in the hall while they ate. Nice & quiet 🙂
Cove for swimming a short walk from Bahia Concha.
Cove for swimming a short walk from Bahia Concha.
This is a hidden cove where we swam with some Colombian kids and watched them jump off the 7m cliff.
This is a hidden cove where we swam with some Colombian kids and watched them jump off the 7m cliff.
Clear blue sky at Bahia Concha. Had some fresh pineapple and napped in hammocks in the shade.
Clear blue sky at Bahia Concha. Had some fresh pineapple and napped in hammocks in the shade.
Yes, shade is necessary if you're on the beach longer than an hour.
Yes, shade is necessary if you’re on the beach longer than an hour.
This was the first old abandoned boat I saw, but not the last.
This was the first old abandoned boat I saw, but not the last.
White sand, white guy! It was the first beach day!
White sand, white guy! It was the first beach day!