Bankruptcy And Debts

Wilderness Wonderland

Consolidation Debt Mortgage Want to get away from it all? Want to cruise flat-out through wide-open lake expanses and meander along watery channels framed by lush valleys and sculpted golden cliffs? Want to find a secluded cove where the most likely distraction is a passing herd of deer on the nearby shore? Well, you've got to go to the source.

Midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and just west of Highway 101 you can find the source - Lake Nacimiento. Named after the Spanish word for "source," the lake lives up to its billing: It's the genesis of the Salinas River, one of the few rivers in the U.S. that flows north. It's also the source for some of the most beautiful boating in central California.

Nacimiento River became a lake in 1958 with the construction of an irrigation dam for water conservation and flood control. What also resulted - thank God for serendipity - was a haven for all water enthusiasts. Nacimiento is widely known, courtesy of its many placid coves and at least one public slalom course, as the premier water-skiing lake in the state. (Lake Nacimiento hosted WaterSki magazine's recent 1997 inboard boat tests.)

When viewed on a map (or from the air if you're lucky enough to have a pal with a plane), Nacimiento resembles a dragon with a long, serpentine tail. The dam, along with the public launching ramp and Lake Nacimiento Resort, sit at the mouth of the dragon. It's also the spot where the water is deepest: about 200 feet at the dam and 155 feet under the 120-slip marina.
PWC riders like to rip it up in the wide-open playground near the public launch. If you're looking for more solitude, however, head to Dip Creek, which forms the dragon's second leg, and try your luck on the slalom course. If you crave even more seclusion, point your bow toward Las Tables, the flattest and most unused water on the lake. Las Tables, with its glassy conditions, also is home to some of the best skiing. For the more adventurous, head down deep in the dragon's tail to The Narrows, where nude sunbathers and cliff jumpers have been known to flock. From teeth to tail, the lake measures 18.6 miles with 165 miles of shoreline, the vast majority of which is undeveloped.

Unlike the mythical dragon, Lake Nacimiento, more than most lakes, is a living, breathing organism. The dragon inhales, and the water level reaches an altitude of 800 feet; it exhales, and the level drops precipitously to about 690. Dragon lore aside, the differentiation is due to the area's incredibly large area of contributing watershed - 250 square miles. When the lake is high, in springtime after a rainy winter, a round-trip boat ride is 44 miles; at the end of the summer, when the water level is at its nadir, the trip is about 12 miles.

Once you've explored all the lake resort area has to offer, venture out into the surrounding area. Go to famous Hearst Castle in nearby San Simeon. Sample the offerings of numerous wineries along the lake road, along Orchard Drive (off the 101 near Paso Robles) and off Highway 46 toward the Paso Robles airport. Check out the scenic coastline and shops in towns such as Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Cambria. Or take a self-guided tour the bumpy way at Cardiff Horse Ranch on Creston Road in Paso Robles.

Lake Nacimiento Resort has a variety of lakeview lodges, 280 camping facilities for tents and RVs, RV rentals with 40 full hookups and several mobile home sites. Hot-water showers, coin-operated laundry, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, swimming pool and two hot tubs (in season) also are available.

If you make the trip and leave your trusty vessel at home, the resort offers a large rental fleet, which includes Tigi ski boats, runabouts, pontoon boats, fishing boats, PWCs, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats.

Munchies, from a quick snack to a full meal, can be had at the resort's well-stocked general store and the restaurant, Triton's Grill. High on your must-do list should be relaxing on the westward-facing patio at Triton's Grill as the sun drops into the distant hills.

For a brochure write Lake Nacimiento Resort, Star Route 2770, Bradley, CA, 93426; or call 800-323-3839. - R.B.

People file for bankruptcy because they're in debt. The more debt there is, the more bankruptcies there are. Well, duh! It really is that simple. When compared to the level of borrowing, the rate of bankruptcy has remained fairly steady. In 1977, 74 bankruptcies were filed for every $100 million of consumer debt. In 1997, 73 bankruptcies were filed for every $100 million of consumer debt. Bankruptcy isn't the cause of debt but rather is the result. And it isn't the disease but rather is one of the cures. Restricting access to bankruptcy court won't solve the problem of debt any more than closing the hospitals will cure a plague.

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