Destinations
Island Time, Heartland Style
It was a rare trifecta. We had an invite to visit one of our favorite Ohio vacation destinations on a prime summer weekend, a Sea Ray deckboat at our disposal and our timing to visit Kelleys Island would coincide with Homecoming Weekend, one of the most popular annual events on the 3,000-acre Lake Erie […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
Profile: Diversy Harbor
The Chicago skyline, stretching across 26 miles of Lake Michigan coast, beckons boaters to its shores. With 10 marinas dotted along the city’s length, each offering gateways to distinct attractions, it’s often hard to choose where to tie up. But for a combination of urban splendor and bucolic charms, it’s hard to beat Diversey […] Read More
Hot in Arkansas
Awed by the natural mountainous beauty surrounding Hot Springs, Ark., President Andrew Jackson in 1932 designated the area as the first piece of land to be protected for future generations, essentially establishing America’s first National Park. The natural thermal spring waters that flowed into the bathhouses here were long believed to have healing properties, […] Read More
Profile: Gulfport Small Craft Harbor
Before Hurricane Katrina devastated Gulfport Small Craft Harbor in 2005, it was a modest, busy marina with a helpful, competent, friendly staff. Now, rebuilt at a cost of $19 million and reopened in 2011, it’s a huge, gleaming marina with a helpful, competent, friendly staff. One reason: the harbormaster, George Manemann, is himself a […] Read More
Afloat in Ohio
Often called the heart of the Midwest, Ohio is a patchwork quilt of verdant fields, woodlands, energized cities and charming towns connected not only by roads but also by water. To the north, the state sits on the edge of Lake Erie, and along its southern and western borders, fronts the mighty Ohio River, […] Read More
Summer Fest-For-Alls
To get an idea of how popular waterfront festivals are, just Google the phrase ”riverfront days.‘ It yields almost 8 million results. Seems like virtually every community with access to a nearby waterway holds some kind of event on land’s end. These can range from small, several-hour celebrations to large, multi-week events. It’s almost […] Read More
Profile: Port of Dubuque Marina
The Ice Harbor in Dubuque, Iowa, has a long and interesting history. Originally, the river there was a maze of peninsulas, sloughs, islands and bayous that prevented river traffic from accessing the city. But planning and dredging created a winter harbor so 50 barges and 20 steamboats could be protected from the ice. It […] Read More
The Complete Listing of Marinas and Locks on the Inland and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways
Show Me "Mo"
History-rich river towns, mountain-music hideaways and just-right family attractions make Missouri as inviting as any destination in the Midwest. What’s even better for boaters is that it’s possible to cruise the length and breadth of the Show Me State on two of the country’s mightiest waterways — the Mississippi and Missouri rivers — soaking […] Read More