Crystal’s View

Because I have a fabulous job that allows me access to a lot of places I wouldn’t ordinarily get to see so easily, I’m eager to share what a good time I had today on Lake Mead.

I spent the morning at Calville Bay, where a fleet of houseboats can be rented by the day or week. These houseboats are so cool, and they have everything you need on-board. You can captain a 40 foot boat to a 70 foot houseboat that sleeps up to 12 people. Bring your own food and beer (or cocktails), and you’re set. The boats are equipped with grills and kitchen appliances. 

We hear a lot about the lingering drought here in the southwest, but the largest man-made lake in the U.S. is just as pristine and beautiful as ever, and it’s just a hop, skip and jump away from you and me. 

You can get away from the city, muck it up on a party boat and enjoy something Southern Nevadans should be proud of, Lake Mead. Yes, the water is a lot lower than it should be. Yes, we must learn to be more cautious of how the changing environment is affecting lake wildlife. But, we should also appreciate what we do have, which is the jewel right here in the middle of the desert.

If you want to learn more about renting a houseboat or see what you’re missing, check out foreverhouseboats.com. For more information about Lake Mead, click here. 

One year ago, I was in Maui with my best friends and family, getting ready for one of the biggest days of my life. Today, I am reflecting on all the excitement surrounding my wedding day.

March 2007 was a huge month for me. I left my job as a news producer after 6.5 years. It was a major move for me, and I was scared. I was afraid of leaving my comfort zone, the people I had become so close with and the daily grind of deadlines, breaking news, pressure and adrenalin-pumping chaos! Sounds crazy, I know, but I loved it. Except, I didn’t love the place I was in anymore. I loved news. Still do. But, I was sinking in an atmosphere where some people were ridiculously too high on power-tripping. It just wasn’t for me anymore.

I quit my job and left for Maui less than a week later. Thirteen of us were on the plane together. Some were already in Hawaii. I couldn’t believe all of these people were traveling to the islands for my wedding. I was truly in awe, and I felt very loved.

Although there was pre-wedding stress, rain threatening our beach wedding plans and a drunk groomsmen who fell through a screen door, the week couldn’t have been any more perfect. The sun came out on Saturday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. The day I married my best friend, Kyle. It was bittersweet.

Here we are almost one year later, and life is great. I am still happily married to my best friend. I have a new career that challenges me in different ways and yet allows me to embrace my journalism roots. I get to produce a fun local TV program, interview Las Vegas players and entertainers. I get to write this blog, which allows me to reflect on everything that matters to me. Best of all, I can still write about news and important issues.

And at the end of the day, I get to go home to my new house with my hot husband, and I don’t have all the built up stress I used to get from working in a newsroom.

Yes, life is good.