Padre Butte short cut?

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birdsnest said:
Let me tell one if I may. Found a customers boat in west canyon that was having water heater problems. They were all from northeast. They stayed up all night because they thought that wolves were watching them from the shore, they could see a half doazen set of eyes. When day broke they discovered the wolves were cows.
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birdsnest said:
Let me tell one if I may. Found a customers boat in west canyon that was having water heater problems. They were all from northeast. They stayed up all night because they thought that wolves were watching them from the shore, they could see a half doazen set of eyes. When day broke they discovered the wolves were cows.
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I'd love to hear more if you have the time.
 
One more. There was always someone monitoring the radio at the houseboat dock and they heard one of our customers giving a mayday call. Of course NPS responded and the folks were reporting high winds and no control of their vessel. We broke in and took over the call. I was sent out to "rescue" them. Winds were blowing about 20 mph, just a breeze for Powell but it was their first trip on a houseboat and they were really scared. I found them in warm creek and they were trying to beach the boat with the stearn to the the wind and completely exposed. I boarded the vessel,side tying my chase boat. It was a couple about 50 with their 15 year old son and they were totally freaked out, talking about returning to the dock to get off the water. I calmed them down and had the father drive the houseboat , giving him pointers and helping him understand that they were not in danger, next to impossible to sink a pontoon boat etc., etc.,. Well, soon he was very comfortable driving and we started looking for a beach on the leeward side. Mom, however was a ball of nerves. Forgot to mention they were from New York City. That should say enough. Anyway the dad skillfully beached the boat and I started to help them set the the sand anchors. The son was already on the beach and to lighten the moment I yelled at him to catch the rope. I have no idea what mom heard me yell but she was on the back deck
and I was on the front and I saw her start running full bore to the front and unfortunately she did not notice that the sliding screen door was shut. She hit it so hard that it folded up around her as she hit the front deck floor. Now at times like these my first inclination is to laugh but not appropriate at the moment. She was unhurt but so embarrassed. The wind changes everything.
 
Any stories about crazy wind or rain storms on the lake? I saw a couple YouTube videos of the wind and waves on the lake during a storm and it was impressive. I was glad I was watching it and not experiencing it!
 
Saw a waterspout about 100 yds across by padre butte. It was about 100 yds in front of me . Absolutely awesome. Have recovered several houseboats in the middle of mud and rock from flashfloods. I had the distinction (at the time) of being the only houseboat mechanic to not come home one night. Came out of West Canyon in the dark after a generator repair and the wind was blowing out of Last Chance about 50 mph sustained. After taking 2 very large waves over the bow I said to heck with it and stayed on board a houseboat. God knows what Padre was like. My worst wind and waves have been Padre. I was driving an aluminum 23' closed cabin self bailing work boat with twin 150 2 stroke mercs. similar to what NPS used to have before the inflatable hulls. If it wasn't for that boat I would have no business being there. Pulled a few very relieved kayakers off the water. Seen many gorgeous waterfalls in the big rains especially in Navajo. I'm gonna be known as long winded if I keep this up. Thanks for asking. Oh yeah one more thing. There is an entity we call Lady of the Lake that is just waiting to grab your feet and pull you under so don't do anything stupid. It's already dangerous enough.
 
Because of some health issues I'll never make it back out to Powell from Oklahoma/Texas. One of my earliest memories of the area was, as a kid, when the show Route 66 filmed there while the building was going on. Through the years I was able to make several visits that included driving through the area, staying in Page, and crossing on the ferry when it was running to take the Burr Trail up and over to Boulder. My enjoyment, however, more recently has been being able to read all y'alls accounts, stories, fishing locations. My one remaining dream has been to stay for a week or more on the lake on a houseboat, fishing and enjoying the tremendous scenic views. It won't happen, but it still is something I can think on. Please know that there are those of us out here that enjoy everything each of you share of your trips, travels, and experiences. Hearing about the different side canyons, the lures, even the mundane things like which ice chest to use or the stinking anchovies (frozen or not) are enjoyable to hear! Please keep them coming!
 
Mr. Caldwell I will make room for you on my 5 day houseboat from May 12th till the 16th, No Charge. We can make arrangements if you can make it. 435 689
Terry Caldwell said:
Because of some health issues I'll never make it back out to Powell from Oklahoma/Texas. One of my earliest memories of the area was, as a kid, when the show Route 66 filmed there while the building was going on. Through the years I was able to make several visits that included driving through the area, staying in Page, and crossing on the ferry when it was running to take the Burr Trail up and over to Boulder. My enjoyment, however, more recently has been being able to read all y'alls accounts, stories, fishing locations. My one remaining dream has been to stay for a week or more on the lake on a houseboat, fishing and enjoying the tremendous scenic views. It won't happen, but it still is something I can think on. Please know that there are those of us out here that enjoy everything each of you share of your trips, travels, and experiences. Hearing about the different side canyons, the lures, even the mundane things like which ice chest to use or the stinking anchovies (frozen or not) are enjoyable to hear! Please keep them coming!
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1315
 
You are so very kind. Unfortunately my doctors are trying to get me on dialysis and I have to see another doctor in Arkansas next week (11th and 12th).

Your kindness and generosity are overwhelming to say the least. I would love nothing more than to share your kind offer. Please do me the honor of posting some pictures of your trip. AND filet and enjoy some LMB for me as well! As a boy I would stay with my grandfather in SE Oklahoma where we would fish all day the streams and rivers. My only regret was I enjoyed it so much and he, being half Choctaw indian, would say about 3 words every 2-3 hours so that's how I thought all fishing should be!! My regret is that I failed to ask enough questions about his grandfather who came across on the Trail of Tears from Mississippi in the 1830s to Oklahoma Indian Territory. Our family has been on this land since that time and I will pass it on to my 2 grandsons and granddaughter soon.

Perhaps I will sneak away sometime in the future and just not tell the doctors!! You have touched me deeply with your offer. I read the accounts and the advice and help all of you on this board show to each other.

May God bless you richly for this kindness!
 
Mr. Caldwell I will say a prayer for you while I am at the height of my trip. You're story touches me and I hope you sneak away sooner than later. The Trail of Tears was one of the low points of American history. I have read books about it and it was truly disgraceful but we move on and hopefully learn.
Terry Caldwell said:
You are so very kind. Unfortunately my doctors are trying to get me on dialysis and I have to see another doctor in Arkansas next week (11th and 12th).

Your kindness and generosity are overwhelming to say the least. I would love nothing more than to share your kind offer. Please do me the honor of posting some pictures of your trip. AND filet and enjoy some LMB for me as well! As a boy I would stay with my grandfather in SE Oklahoma where we would fish all day the streams and rivers. My only regret was I enjoyed it so much and he, being half Choctaw indian, would say about 3 words every 2-3 hours so that's how I thought all fishing should be!! My regret is that I failed to ask enough questions about his grandfather who came across on the Trail of Tears from Mississippi in the 1830s to Oklahoma Indian Territory. Our family has been on this land since that time and I will pass it on to my 2 grandsons and granddaughter soon.

Perhaps I will sneak away sometime in the future and just not tell the doctors!! You have touched me deeply with your offer. I read the accounts and the advice and help all of you on this board show to each other.

May God bless you richly for this kindness!
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I remember a trip I had in the late 90's, the water was high enough, that the slot was open on Gunsite Butte that connects it to Padre Canyon. I was camped on the Butte, only about 200 yards from the slot, and there was waverunners flying through it in the dark, with flashlights strapped to the front. Definitely NOT the safest idea.....but it was entertaining to watch!
I'll share another little story, from my early twenties on Lone Rock beach. It was a Memorial Day weekend, and me and about 40 friends were camped at Lone Rock. The wind blew sooooooooo hard, I remember looking up at one point, and witnessing 4 tents, and at least 4 shade tarps at least 100 feet in the air. The whole beach was in a state of panic with crap getting scattered everywhere! The wind wasn't letting up, and we made the best of it. I have a picture with 13 of us, crammed into a 3 man tent.....trying to get out of the blowing sand. Those are the type of trips memories are made of........lots of fun, and it was an adventure! But I'll stick to glassy coves, way up lake these days :cool:
 
I was working on the dock on the south end during a windstorm that picked up a fiberglass pfd sorage container off the top deck of a houseboat and carried it about 75' in the air and slammed it down within 5' of the mechanic manager. It weighed about 75 lbs and most definitely would have ruined his day.
 
birdsnest said:
Saw a waterspout about 100 yds across by padre butte. It was about 100 yds in front of me . Absolutely awesome. Have recovered several houseboats in the middle of mud and rock from flashfloods. I had the distinction (at the time) of being the only houseboat mechanic to not come home one night. Came out of West Canyon in the dark after a generator repair and the wind was blowing out of Last Chance about 50 mph sustained. After taking 2 very large waves over the bow I said to heck with it and stayed on board a houseboat. God knows what Padre was like. My worst wind and waves have been Padre. I was driving an aluminum 23' closed cabin self bailing work boat with twin 150 2 stroke mercs. similar to what NPS used to have before the inflatable hulls. If it wasn't for that boat I would have no business being there. Pulled a few very relieved kayakers off the water. Seen many gorgeous waterfalls in the big rains especially in Navajo. I'm gonna be known as long winded if I keep this up. Thanks for asking. Oh yeah one more thing. There is an entity we call Lady of the Lake that is just waiting to grab your feet and pull you under so don't do anything stupid. It's already dangerous enough.
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Thank you for the stories. I also appreciate your warning about the Lady of the Lake. It really is important to take the simple safety precautions even when the weather is good to avoid becoming catfish chum.
 
Leaving the dock early a.m on the 12th for a five day fishing trip with 30mph winds forecast. Non-refundable houseboat so looks like another adventure. Will be towing 3 fishing boats and heading into Rock Creek. Yahoo!!
 
Around 1980 I was driving back a 37 foot rental houseboat from the San Juan to Wahweap. I had just passed the Canyon for Rainbow Bridge, and the weather looked bad. In the main channel there was a lightning bolt strike very close to or on the water 30 yards away from us. For a short period of time it seemed like everything stopped. There were 2 similar looking boats heading towards Rainbow, and it hit very close to them. The biggest thing I had to deal with was the thunder. It almost shook out the windows of the boat. Mother Nature can be pretty scary out there.
 
Mother Nature is definetly at home at Powell and not afraid to show her many moods. What a great place!
Bill Sampson said:
Around 1980 I was driving back a 37 foot rental houseboat from the San Juan to Wahweap. I had just passed the Canyon for Rainbow Bridge, and the weather looked bad. In the main channel there was a lightning bolt strike very close to or on the water 30 yards away from us. For a short period of time it seemed like everything stopped. There were 2 similar looking boats heading towards Rainbow, and it hit very close to them. The biggest thing I had to deal with was the thunder. It almost shook out the windows of the boat. Mother Nature can be pretty scary out there.
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FYI - the shortcut from the mouth of Gunsight into Padre Bay had water touching today - 3607.42 for future reference. It was about 1/4" deep when we were there. With runoff ramping up, it should be open to boaters by Memorial Day weekend this year.
 
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