Spillway at 800 Feet...

Now that the lake is full that means time for more recreational use plus ample water for the farmers down stream. Last weekend's storm put us over the top for the first year since 1983 and the fourth time ever in the 55 years of the lake's exsistance! With recent storms it put us up 40 feet. Being so late in the season the rains have been unbelievable, which makes for a great summer season.

No Fear the Release of Water is Here...

The spillway is flowing at Lake Nacimiento. I assume that the pending upcoming storms warrant the security of flood control measures. I hope their crystal ball is correct on the additional rain that is pending.

At least we know the new bladder at the dam works. I'm curious as how the Salinas river is running right about now. Maybe white water rafting is in order?

Tours into the Past with.... Wayne Harris

I'm pretty dang sure this has to be a relative of our dear Historian Wayne Harris who is just a mere 80 years young and is also a fourth generation descendant of the original homesteaders of this area. Wayne is a wonderful story teller and has been giving these tours with the hills between the lakes.

He is filled with wonderful stories about the early settlers, the battles with outlaws and the old stagecoach route. His guided tour includes sites where the Native Americans and early history sites of the Hills between the lakes.

I finally had the opportunity to meet him today and boy did I wish I had my camera. I can't find a recent picture of him anywhere on the web even though he was the grand Marshall in 2008 at the Annual Pioneer Day's Parade.

If you provide the wheels Wayne will provide the directions and gab. To schedule a tour call 805.286.6032

On his next visit up here at the lake I plan to do an extensive interview and get a great photo of him with his white prestine beard.

Lake Level Contest....Can we beat 1958's Level?

I'm proposing a contest if you think we shall beat the 1958's lake Nacimiento's level of 804.70.

The historical charts show that the lake level has only risen to the elevation of 800 only three times since then. First on May 7, 1967, February 5, 1969 and then again on April 29, 1983.

HOW IT WORKS:

Step 1
In our poll box vote yes or no.

Step 2

Go to our facebook page at Dragon Lake Rentals and find the posting on our wall describing the contest and send us a comment with what you think the lake elevation shall be on March 30th (Voting will end on the first day of spring on March 20th (which is also my birthday!).

The winner shall receive one of my jar's of my secret Jalapeno Jelly as a grand prize delivered to your door step plus an article and photo about you featured on our blog. If there are more than two correct answers I'll flip a coin. If there are more than two I'll put the names in a hat and go from there.

Good Luck!

(the lake level number we shall go by is what is reported on the charts by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency)

A Lake to Yourself

This photo was taken approximately where the Marina was built (South Shore) and if you look across the lake you can see the high water mark.

This story is from our dear friend Don Avery, native to Paso Robles. He is not sure when this photo was actually taken but the lake was still full because the water had risen to the high water mark.

Back in 1958 there were not too many photo's taken of the lake and in fact this is the only photo Don has ended up with. In this picture you can see that Don had left his Father and Sisters and was going back to North Shore in his boat to pick up the rest of the family.

The boat that Don is driving he bought himself from Bridge and Walters Boat Shop on Spring and 22nd Street. It was a Javelin Hall with a Mark 78 outboard and in that time it was pretty dang fast.

The time this photo had been taken Don was only 21 years of age and he worked for the City of Paso's Street Department. In 1955 he had joined the National Guard Company C Tank Battalion out of Atascadero too.

Don now is a volunteer at Camp Roberts History Museum where he has been digging up old newspaper articles from the 40's and 50's. Nacimiento River was very instrumental back in the day where the troops trained in the river during war time.

Also Don's family was one of the only civilian families that ever lived at Camp Roberts due to his Father's work. He is a bit of our local history and shares many a story of our local community. If you visit the Museum be sure to stop by and introduce yourself to him.

Lake Elevation just 67.01 off from 1958

I don't know why but in most documentation about lake Nacimiento they state it was formed in 1961. My dear friend, Don Avery, who was here at the very beginning always stated it was in 1958. Well here is the proof!

In 1958 the elevation was 804.70 and to date we are at just 67.01 and we still have another 45 days to meet that goal. We are in for a good summer season.

Cloud Climbers and Dragon Lake Rentals...What a Pair!

Cloud Climbers Jeep Wine Tours will come up to the lake and pick you up from your vacation rental for no additional charge. The all day tour (10:30am to 5pm) includes 4 to 5 free tasting at selected wineries, lunch, a complimentary wine glass, and if desired an olive oil tasting too! All this for only $109.00 except gratuity for the driver. Visit Cloud Climbers at their web site www.ccjeeps.com and tell them Dragon Lake Rentals sent you

Napa is for auto parts and Paso is for Wine....

I found this beautiful video a couple put together about their wine tasting experience here in Paso. The photo's reflect almost the same time of year maybe a few weeks off from the starting of the wildflowers. This is why many of us live here for the beauty and the personal small community culture. Enjoy

Wind Surfing on January 30th at the Lake?

Don't ask me how this guy was wind surfing yesterday at the lake. We had 4.0mph winds with gusts of 5.0mph. I sat and watched him go off to the left and he disappeared for awhile and back again he came. I was so mystified by this it was my hopes he was someone from Oak Shores because I just couldn't see how he was doing this.

I jumped into my car and went down to the Marina and waited and waited for him to come ashore. I wanted to interview him so badly as to his skills. Of course he just sailed on by (slowly) and kept on going. I think I watched him for at least an hour or so. Oh well, I was able to watch the sunset from a great spot.

Please take our Poll on Brent Frank's work.....

Your input matter's. Brent Frank would like to find out which gel coat you like better.

Note we are taking a poll (top right hand side) and would like your vote.

If you have additional input please leave a comment for us. Let the voting begin!

Stacey our Red Tailed Hawk

We fondly named this Red Tailed Hawk that has been visiting us for the last year Stacey. She has grown so much over the last year but she keeps on getting more and more beautiful. Everyday around 4:15pm she comes and perches on the tree next to our house. Normally whenever I grab my camera she either flies away or the lighting is so bad the photo doesn't come out.

Today though was a warm cozy day with the sun warming the winter air. She hung out for awhile and graciously let me take her photo.

Love this Video Lake San Antonio

Love this video so I had to put it on the front page. If you come stay at one of our vacation rentals, you too can have this much fun.

How Many Times can you Slam Dunk a Basketball on a 6 ft Hoop = Lake Nacimiento Bass Fishing

New Marina - Lake Nacimiento

Boy was it a beautiful day today. I thought I would take a drive to see the new state of the art marina at the resort. October before last we had a tremendous rain storm that took the old marina out. The only thing that seems to be remaining is the sign above that hung for years in the old blue building.

The new marina is rock solid. And I mean rock solid with stone panels throughout the walkways. If you remeber walking on the old marina you had to have your sea legs about you.

Speaking of fish, Erik told me that the white bass and small mouth bass have been a plenty. It's nice to see that they also offer 89 octane gas to boaters. If you look closely towards the left of the walk ramp you see the red pumps with drive up service from the lake.

Currently the Marina's hours are 8am to 4:30 pm 7 days a week. They also have boat rentals plus bait, beer, snacks, ice cream, cold drinks, and a hoodie or two if you need it.

Owl-some resident of Lake Nacimiento

We just received these wonderful photo's of a resident Great Horned Owl living on the lake with us.
At this time of the year we have these small holes or should I say caves which often times become our fine feathered friends vacation rentals.

Upon viewing of these photo's it appears they were shot a bit of distance away, most likely from a boat. If you notice the owl's ears are alert, just like a dog or cat, if her ears were down she would be displaying being irritated. This owl's ears are upright and even though her eyes are closed she knows she is being watched and not missing a beat or should I say boat.

Her body language is telling me she most likely is nesting because in January it is not uncommon that the Great Horned Owl lays two to three eggs. In 28 days they shall hatch and in 35 days the youngsters will fledge.

Ahh to many of us this is the best time of year. It's quiet at the lake and nature is doing it's thing. The lake is calm and the water appears like glass. For all the nature lovers out there this is the idea time to come and spend at the lake. Maybe it is not as fun in the summer sun for water sports but those who love the beauty and quietness sneak up here when no one else is around and take advantage of the peace it has to offer.

Soon the wildflowers will be coming another event for nature lovers.

Bob Allen Photography

Bob Allen and his wife come up every year from Mission Viejo to visit the bald eagles, golden eagles,red tail hawks and other feather friends. This year they didn't go by boat but saw the eagles by land.

Bob by trade is a biologist with the nickname of "Bug Bob" and you can't believe how beautiful insects really are. All of his photographs are incrediable. Please visit his website at: www.boballenphotography.com


He teaches digital photography to users of digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera systems, as well as to users of digital compact (point & shoot) camera systems. His preferred and recommended camera systems are Canon EOS and Canon Powershot series.

Hey I got an idea! Bob holds workshops in various places in southern California. Maybe we can get him to do one up here. We could utilize Dragon Lake rentals as home base for a weekend package deal of lodging and photography. If your interested let me know! I'll get on it.

Photo's by Erik Peterson

Well here is our first posting on the new blog and I figured to open it up with the talented photographer, local resident Eric Peterson. These photo's were actually shot last year at Lake San Antonio when he worked at their Marina. He now is presently working at the Marina at Lake Nacimiento. Be sure to stop by and say hi to him.

Here is his amazing set of photo's taken by Erik. Live and in motion these creatures almost look like a piece of modern art. Erik percisely caught the birds in action when they do their turn-about to head in the other direction.
The top photo depicts how then land in the water...rudders down!

That weekend has been very active with our white feathered friends. A group of pelicans dining on the shad and a white egret having a snack on the docks. Erik was lucky to catch them on their lunch break.