Leisurely holidays afloat await in the Shuswap
Serenity is now while houseboating on the Shuswap
SHUSWAP LAKE, B.C. — In the glow of a bonfire, we look out at the smoothas-glass lake and see a loon skid across the water and gently touch down. Its melancholy call is all we hear, aside from the crackle of the fire.
Our floating house is docked a few metres away from us. We’re on shore for a night of relaxation that includes a stellar sunset, great food and the swapping of stories.
This is heaven in the Shuswap, all part of the experience of houseboating — or “lake living” — through the lazy, hazy and hot days of summer in B.C.’s mecca for water sports.
Houseboating’s party reputation is fine if you’re so inclined — splash out. But for those of us way past the party-till-you-poop-out stage of life, Shuswap Lake has more than enough room along its 1,100 kilometres of shoreline for summer vacationers looking for a quiet, laid-back holiday.
I experienced the quieter side of this summer tradition by puttering along in the “houseboating capital of Canada” with our captain — wait for it — named Noah. (For those who wish to captain their own houseboat, you may do so if you wish, following a training session.)
Loons calling at dusk, bonfires and a rustically fashioned “sauna” on the beach after a dip in the sun-warmed lake were part of our activities on the serene side of the Shuswap.
During our three-day cruise on Mara Lake and Shuswap Lake which, on a map, looks like a lazily drawn “H”, we saw some of the 30-plus marine parks, waterfalls, eagles and ospreys, as well as water-skiers, kayakers and people fishing.
Although there are often close to 200 houseboats on the lake, on our pastoral side we saw natural wonders on beautiful and all-but-deserted beaches. Our floating two-storey home came with a hot tub and a squiggly slide attached to the back. With room for 12, the boat features three “staterooms,” a full kitchen including a granite island, two bathrooms and living room with a big-screen TV and fireplace.
Our roomy accommodation is not the largest of Waterway Houseboat’s fleet. The company also rents the three-storey Legacy model, which can accommodate up to 30 people and includes video conferencing for corporate retreats.
I was determined to make a splashdown through that slide — but not before taking a steamy hot tub soak.
As we toured along Mara Lake on the way to Shuswap Lake, we settled into a routine of reading, sipping cold beverages, listening to our captain’s guitar and singing. All while moving at a top speed of 6 km/h, giving us plenty of time to take in the gorgeous views.
In the coming weeks, this lake will become water-sport central, attracting water-skiers, jet skiers, motor boaters, paddleboarders, fishermen and cliff jumpers. For now, we’re enjoying an impromptu steam bath. As the sun sets and the temperature drops slightly, rocks are drawn from the fire and placed on the beach underneath a large tented tarp in a makeshift sauna. As we pour lake water over the rocks, a wall of steam envelops us, warming us and inspiring some to dive into the lake to cool down.