The Saga of the Boat

The Saga of the Boat.

Well, 'saga' may be a strong word.  We have definitely had more exciting and even harrowing adventures on the boat over the years than this most recent tale, but here we go...

On a trailer for the first time in years

 A boat is a wonderful thing, especially on Richland Chambers with miles of lake to explore.  Last fall we were out checking out a place from the water and taking some pictures. Not paying enough attention and staring at my camera phone, we were blown into shore rather quickly.  While making a hasty retreat I hit something in the water.  We made it back to the slip ok and, long story short, after some relatively minor repairs and maintenance over the winter it was time to relaunch our trusty craft.  So last week while the temps were dropping with the help of two good friends and a borrowed trailer we launched the boat at Oak Cove Marina.   Richland Chambers Lake level is still pretty low but Jerry has done a good job with his ramp over the years.  Rooter and I took off and made the trip around to the Shores Marina and tied up in the slip.   Richland Chambers is a beautiful place.

Rooter, bundled up for launch

The Ramp at Oak Cove

Lake resident Roy Cundiff from his good side

Heading out

US Hwy 287 Bridge

This last Sunday afternoon was beautiful, Parker and I took a little spin

In the slip

The bridge is a thing of beauty

Pmoney

Richland Chambers Lake Level February 2015

Richland Chambers Lake level is still at historic lows as of February 4, 2015.  Today Richland Chambers is at 304.88' msl which is 10.12' below pool level.  Oak Cove Marina and Fisherman's Point Marina are still launching boats and fishing season is right around the corner.  We have been getting some rain and the lake has come up about .7' from the low point this year.  

The Richland Chambers Watershed covers 1957 square miles and touches 6 counties. We must get enough rain in the watershed to push Richland Creek and Chambers Creek out of their banks to make the lake fill.  

Chambers Creek

The recent rain had Chambers Creek running at a little over 11 ft for about 12 hours or so, (8.5 ft over normal flow) but well below the flood stage of 24 ft.  

Chambers Creek feeds out of Bardwell Reservoir and represents the largest part of the Richland Chambers Lake watershed. 

October 2009 looking over the spillway
 towards the Trinity River 

Chambers Creek Flood Categories

Normal flow      approx. 2.5 ft

Major Flood Stage          30 ft

Moderate Flood Stage    27 ft

Flood Stage                     24 ft

Action Stage                    22 ft

Chambers Creek Recent Crests

(1) 24.99 ft on 05/14/2014
(2) 30.16 ft on 03/21/2012
(3) 29.16 ft on 01/27/2012
(4) 27.78 ft on 09/10/2010

(5) 24.13 ft on 03/25/2010

Chambers Creek Historic Crests
(1) 32.57 ft on 12/21/1991
(2) 31.51 ft on 12/21/1997
(3) 31.24 ft on 10/20/1993
(4) 31.12 ft on 06/06/1986
(5) 30.73 ft on 05/18/1989

Here is a chart of the Richland Chambers Lake Level going back to January of 1990, (shortly after the lake opened to the public) to about the first of November 2014.
More in the next post....

No more registration!!

Yes I have finally seen the light! No more registration necessary on BuyRCLake.com or BuyCorsicanaHomes.com to see property details.
After 5+ years of BuyRCLake and 10+ of BuyCorsicanaHomes.com requiring customers to register with their email to see property details, no more!  Feel free to peruse all the information about any and all listings on our websites without having to register and sign in.
Richland Chambers Lake is an incredibly beautiful area and one of our greatest commodities is peace and quiet.  When you get out here you don't want to leave so online shopping becomes your friend. (The UPS guy and me are on a first name basis).
Apart from Amazon, I find myself frequenting and buying from websites that do not require me to register and give personal information up front.  So, on the advice of an 'in the know' friend and being honest with myself........No more registration necessary on BuyRCLake.com or BuyCorsicanaHomes.com to see all the details.

Whew!  "Merry Christmas, where's the Tylenol..."

LakeSide Dreams circa 2008

Customer arriving by helicopter 2010

Out on the lake with Captain Ron 2012

Lake Resident Dan Wilkie in action 2011

The Taumatangi launched on Richland Chambers 2011

 

What are the good deals on Richland Chambers?

What are the good deals on Richland Chambers Lake?....

Ah, the magic question.  Every buyer wants to get a good deal. Depending on what you're looking for, buyers at Richland Chambers Lake generally find them.  Waterfront homes, waterfront lots, acreage tracts and off water lots are for sale around our lake.

We are in the throws of an historic drought and the lake has been down for two years now.  (Richland Chambers lake level will come back but that is the subject of another blog installment)
So, do sellers get more motivated when the water is down?

Let me first say that seller's motivations are always on a case to case basis and each person has their own goals they are driven towards which ultimately contribute to the pricing of their home.
Any category of waterfront home listings has its standouts. To be the next one to sell in a tight market you must be the best in your category with regards to location, condition and pricing.  So as time goes by sellers may make adjustments to position themselves to be the next one to sell.

So, as a buyer what are the good deals?  How do you know?
Ask yourself two questions:
First: Do you like it?
Second:How does it compare to similar listings (in regards to location, condition and pricing)?

Here is an example of a good deal on Richland Chambers Lake:
153 Stockton Point  Sweetwater Ranch
Click for details

Location:
It is located on the Chambers arm of the lake out on a point with a south-south-westerly orientation. The home is in Sweetwater Ranch on RC Lake. Sweetwater Ranch is a very quiet neighborhood with several beautiful homes and lots of nature.
Condition: 
Inside and out, his home is move in ready.  All it needs is you to make it your own.
Pricing: 
At $363,000 this is a lot for the money. Compared to what is out there no matter what lake you're considering this is a good deal!

Follow up on the lots in Azure Bay

Happy New Year!  The lots in Azure Bay sold late in 2014, they were the deal of the year for waterfront property in 2014.  Today finds the lake at a little over 10 ft down, but we are hopeful and it has been raining off and on and there is more in the forecast.  Happy 2015!! It's gonna be good..

The History of THE FOG

THE FOG Halloween 2014

THE FOG is more fun than grown men should have!

Last Friday night, Halloween night, THE FOG rocked the house at The Harbor Inn on Richland Chambers Lake.  The band was in fine form reuniting with a truly great player, Gary Poe on bass, playing and singing like only Gary can.  Cast Iron Songs and Torch Ballads entertained the loud crowd all night!

THE FOG summer 2012

  I have had the gift of music in my life as long as I can remember.  I grew up listening to LP's on the console stereo. Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Bing Crosby, Marty Robbins, Herb Alpert, Elvis and countless others played through that big cabinet in the living room.  As soon as I could I joined the band in school, eventually playing trumpet in a school sponsored jazz band complete with full horn section, piano, guitar, bass guitar and a heck of a drummer.   My friends and I always had a garage band which came in different forms, some more talented than others, each with it's own set of memories. I went from trumpet to piano, to bass guitar in those days.  Within a few years real life caught up with me in the form of marriage, kids, houses and building businesses so the music took a back seat, never abandoned, always alive in some measure.  

When we opened LakeSide Dreams I started playing with friends, old and new around the lake.  I had taken up 6 string and harmonica a few years before. Soon I began learning and relearning classic rock greats, The Beatles, Dylan, Fogerty, Clapton, my Texas rock roots: ZZ Top, Stevie Ray, Doug Sahm and many others.

  We started playing regularly at The Harbor Inn on Richland Chambers with Vernon Bryder on drums, Gary Poe on bass and vocals and me on rythym guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonica and usually someone on lead guitar. 

  I came across one of my first bandmates a few years ago and he said if the old band ever got together again we should call ourselves THE FOG, for The F'n Old Guys, (Four Old Guys, The Fabulous Old Guys...) So THE FOG was born.

Gary on bass, Vern on drums, John on guitar fall 2010

   Now we are about 4 years or so down the road and we have played most every 4th Friday night on the Harbor Inn stage.  We have had a lot of fun shows with lots of great players and singers sitting in. We've had lights, lasers, fog machines, a lot of dancing and some really good music. The band has gone through some changes over the last few years but it has never ceased to be fun, entertaining and sometimes surprising.  We have stuck to our roots of playing 60's and 70' rock and roll, songs every body knows the words to.

  

I hope THE FOG never grows old.  We always try to bring new songs and create some magical, musical moments for our friends, new and old, enjoying the the music we all know and love.

Now life is settling down some after building & opening RE/MAX LakeSide Dreams, enduring the Northshore Harbor experience, the kids all launched and re-launched and now most recently building a new house, moving and selling the old house...  Whew!!!  

 I appreciate my band mates, our fans and everyone at The Harbor Inn over the years for giving me a wonderful opportunity to share and enjoy the gift of music.

"Werewolves of London" THE FOG Halloween 2014

THE FOG with Debbie Carter December 2012 

John, Vern, Bobby Perry and Gary THE FOG 2013

Kevin, Vernon, John and Gary THE FOG Jun 2011

BTW,  for an explanation of "Cast Iron Songs and Torch Ballads"  Check out Bob Dylan and The Band 'Planet Waves' album.

THE FOG December 2012

The FOG at Lakeside Methodist Church Music Festival 2013

Todd Jones with THE FOG sometime in 2011

THE FOG with Curly Joe 2010

THE FOG with Lucy, "The Goose" and Kenny Carter 2012

Yours Truly Having fun...

Richland Chambers Lake Azure Bay

 

Azure Bay on Richland Chambers is one of those places that combines the beauty of a Texas Oak Forest with the grandeur and majesty of miles of open water.  Azure Bay is located on the south side of Richland Chambers and is restricted to site built homes 1500+ sf.   The subdivision dates back to the early 1990's when the lake was new and now the waterfront is mostly built on.  There are a lot of very nice homes in the neighborhood and plenty of fine folks.  Azure Bay is right off of FM 416, the drive in is easy and the neighborhood has good roads. There are some deals to be had on a precious few waterfront lots and some cool homes for sale

Check it out:  BuyRCLake.com/Azure-Bay