First Trip in Family's new Nautique to our Secret Spot

[mrberglu]

We bit the bullet and filled the "Burb" up with gas and took the new Nautique (picture #1) east to the perfect place, or as we call it, our East Texas Secret Spot. "East TX Skier will recognize the pictures and know why we spent the money on gas to pull the boat 150 miles instead of the usual 1.25 miles to lake nearest our house. Readers can tell from picture #2 that the ski lanes are a little narrow so one must be very careful of trees when driving, especially when turning around. However, the near perfect glass makes the cost, time driving and cleaning the boat afterward well worth it. Well, we really ski on the main channel (picture #3) but I could not resist adding the other to the post. I have skied on many rivers in Lousianna and the Brazos in Texas (in fact our family leases a lot on the Brazos southwest of Ft. Worth) but even those do not compare in beauty or quality of skiing to our family's favorite place.

[Laptom]

RE: First Trip in Family

That seems like the perfect spot!

[pjdave]

RE: First Trip in Family

love that boat, and cant beat that water

[ranger3]

RE: First Trip in Family

With the moss, that looks like Caddo Lake? Too snaky looking for my wife!! But nice looking water for sure.

[east tx skier]

Double post. Whoops. That deserves a picture.

[east tx skier]

Great pictures. And yes, I know that lake well. We'll be down there soon.

Ranger, Caddo isn't as salty as the Brazos because of all the snakes, aligators, and stumps. :mrgreen:

Okay, so it's not salty. It's silty. And the snakes and aligators are more afraid of you than you are of them.

/have actually seen 1 gator. He smiled at me.
//have run over 1 channel marker.
///have skied over 1 snake and seen a lot more.
////I hate snakes.

In all seriousness. If anyone decides to go down there, get in touch with someone who knows the lay of things. It really is loaded with stumps. If you get out of the channel, it's big $$$. But if you know where to be/not to be, it's a nice spot.

[mrberglu]

I am lucky to say that I have been skiing and boating on Caddo since I was 12 (That was 31 years ago) and now my own children are enjoying the beauty and wonderful water as I did. In the time I have been visiting Caddo I have seen a number of snakes. Mostly during the spring. I have only seen one alligator and that was 7-9 miles upstream from where we ski. The gator ( 4-5 feet long) took off as soon as it saw us coming around the bend. It is a truly great place. We plan on spending a couple of weekends skiing at Caddo in the fall. Caddo is great all year round, but especially nice during the fall. Thanks to all for the nice comments on the pictures and our family's new Nautique.

[SNMike]

Congrats on the new Nautique my friend. She's a beaut. Great pics. I had a 23 ft. gator get to close to my 196, and almost nicked the gelcoat. So I made luggage out of him. You don't mess with the 196. :twisted: Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[east tx skier]

I am lucky to say that I have been skiing and boating on Caddo since I was 12 (That was 31 years ago) and now my own children are enjoying the beauty and wonderful water as I did. In the time I have been visiting Caddo I have seen a number of snakes. Mostly during the spring. I have only seen one alligator and that was 7-9 miles upstream from where we ski. The gator ( 4-5 feet long) took off as soon as it saw us coming around the bend. It is a truly great place. We plan on spending a couple of weekends skiing at Caddo in the fall. Caddo is great all year round, but especially nice during the fall. Thanks to all for the nice comments on the pictures and our family's new Nautique.

I know I've seen your boat up there before. Do you guys have a house on the river?

Where did you see that gator? Between various family members, we've seen the same one a few times at the shortcut to the big lake at the tail end of Johnson's Ranch. That was a few years ago when the water was so low and they were out looking for food/jet skiers.

My wife grew up skiing on Caddo starting in about 1978. Her dad has had a little spot on Buzzard Bay since before that. So I'm a relative newb, but I forego shaving while I'm there in an attempt to blend in. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[bchesley]

hahahaha. ETS I have seen the local folk, and it takes more than a heavy shadow to fit in. It definately is a place all its own. Wish I could get there more often. Need to plan a trip soon before its too late this year.

[mrberglu]

East TX Skier:

Unfortunately we do not have a place on Caddo or the Bayou. My Dad grew up in Marshall. Consequently, I got to spend a lot of time in the area growing up. When I bought my first boat (1988 American Skier Advance) in '88 we started spending alot of weekends at Caddo. In recent years with the kids getting older and gas getting more expensive we only make it to the Bayou a couple times a year. I hope to make it out to Caddo in mid to late September for a weekend. Maybe we will see you there.

We saw the gator about half way to Jefforson on the bayou of course.

[east tx skier]

hahahaha. ETS I have seen the local folk, and it takes more than a heavy shadow to fit in. It definately is a place all its own. Wish I could get there more often. Need to plan a trip soon before its too late this year.

A mouth full of teeth just get in the way when you eat every meal at Big Pines. By the way, I heard a rumor that they might be closing it.

[east tx skier]

East TX Skier:

Unfortunately we do not have a place on Caddo or the Bayou. My Dad grew up in Marshall. Consequently, I got to spend a lot of time in the area growing up. When I bought my first boat (1988 American Skier Advance) in '88 we started spending alot of weekends at Caddo. In recent years with the kids getting older and gas getting more expensive we only make it to the Bayou a couple times a year. I hope to make it out to Caddo in mid to late September for a weekend. Maybe we will see you there.

We saw the gator about half way to Jefforson on the bayou of course.

Cool, my wife and her family are from Marshall.

[bchesley]

A mouth full of teeth just get in the way when you eat every meal at Big Pines. By the way, I heard a rumor that they might be closing it.

That would be a shame. Very good food.

[mrberglu]

There was a for sale sign in front of Big Pines Lodge when we went to Caddo on 8-13-08. Maybe Mrs. Williamson (The owner of Big Pines) decided it was too much work for herself. Mr. Williamson died 3 to 4 years ago. It is a great place to eat and sit watching people ski.