If you have decided to take a vacation by a lake, why not try a vacation on a lake? There are many options available to help families of any size have a great wilderness vacation without having to rough it camping.

Surrounding Superior National Forest are great waterways with many companies offering houseboats for rent from one to seven days, or more. The service levels available vary from company to company, and most have a website that can help you work your way through your choices.

The houseboats available range in size from 30-feet to over 55-feet long. They are designed to accommodate 2 to 15 people, and come with all of the comforts of home, including a Jacuzzi if you cannot bear to leave it behind. I would recommend following the outfitter's guidelines for the number of people that will comfortably fit on each size houseboat. Most of the outfitters have an older fleet and newer fleet. The newer boats generally have more features, are a foot or two wider, and rent for a higher fee. They also might have restrictions on whether the family pet can come along. Of course none of the boats are speed cruisers, and the bigger, heavier boats will go a little slower while using more fuel.

The list of options available for this style of vacation seems endless. However, all boats must have a second boat with a motor for safety reasons, and the cost of this second boat, motor, and the fuel are not included with the cost of the rental, but you cannot use the boat without them. You can select different types of watercraft to fit this need, from simple Lund 16-foot boats with a 15 to 25 horsepower motor, to fully-loaded fishing boats. of course, prices vary on these. Or, you are welcome to bring your own boat and motor. Just remember to get the trailer in proper working order prior to leaving by checking the lights and greasing the wheel bearings.

The service level available for your meals also varies. While restaurant service is not available, most outfitters will offer an outline for a menu, and some will even do the shopping and have the food loaded for you when you are ready to depart. I have done my shopping at the closest town to the departure point, and it has worked out well. The best advice is to write the menu, make a shopping list, and bring along a few extras. Refrigerators are about the same size as your home refrigerator. Remember that you will be doing a lot of activities in the water and fresh air which usually means a big appetite. Outfitters might also offer an every-other day supply run where they will bring ice, beverages, food, and fuel for you. of course, this is also an a-la-carte service. Most houseboats come with a fully-equipped kitchen, including all of the needed pots, pans, utensils, and place settings. Grills are often found on the front porch of the boat, with chairs and a table for dining outside. some models also have a screened- in area to keep out the flies and mosquitoes that might be accompanying you on your voyage. The roof can double as a sunning area during the day, a campground during the evening, or usually is the site of the Jacuzzi on the boats equipped with one. Your kids will get to know how to get up to the roof within minutes of your anchoring, as this is the launching spot for the water slide off of the stern of the boat.

Fishing equipment is available for you to rent, or you can bring your own. If you are not familiar with the lake, or how to find the fish that might be available, guide services can be arranged, but they need to be booked well in advance. If you want to find the best fishing, this is a great way to find the productive spots on the lake. Kids will be more likely to enjoy fishing with Mom and Dad if they are able to land a few!

Housekeeping is the responsibility of the captain and crew. The fresh water supply is limited, but by using a few practical conservation practices, such as not letting faucets run, you should not have any problems. I was very glad that I brought along an extra scrubbing pad for the pots and pans. Linens are available, or again you can bring along your own. If you select the linen service, it is a very minor additional charge, and the space savings I had by not packing them on my second trip was well worth it. While we did take very quick showers, it was great being in the wilderness without having to use outdoor plumbing. Bathrooms are equipped with chemical toilets similar to those found in motor homes. Make sure to go over the instructions with the outfitter prior to shoving off, and double check the supply of chemicals. They work great when used properly.

Knowing that you will be on or in the water during your vacation, life jackets are a must. They served double duty as great water toys while we were swimming. We brought our own life jackets, but the houseboats come equipped with the good old orange Mae West style. one of the great features on the houseboat is the availability of one or two 110 volt outlets. I was able to take as much video as I wanted, and I could recharge the batteries each day.

Rates are for the houseboat only, and the days generally "push off" during the early afternoon, and have an arrival time around 8 or 9 AM back at the dock. You can leave the Twin Cities early in the morning and arrive with the houseboat ready to go. Just pack your clothes, and they do the rest. If you would like to save some money, you can bring your own food, fishing boat and motor, fishing gear, and linens. Early planning and communication with your chosen outfitter will help insure that you enjoy your trip.

Floating vacations are a great way to bond with your kids, and families really have a chance to connect. The biggest challenge that you will face is where to go and what to do. The only limiting factors will be the time and funds available in your calendar and budget.

By Ken Jahnke