Houseboatin’ on the ‘Hollow

from Dale Hollow Lake Explorer - Visitors Guide 2018

Fish Whisperer

Houseboatin’

on the ‘Hollow

by Beth Underwood

The Watkins family gathers for a photo in front of the “Miss Kasey Monica Too”. Front row, from left: Monte Watkins (with Scooby the dog), Mary Rose Watkins (Monte’s mother, and the widow of Ray), Karen Watkins-Rose (Mary Rose’s daughter). Back row from left: Patty Watkins (Monte’s wife), John Warner (Monica’s husband), Monica Watkins-Warner (Monte’s daughter), Kasey Watkins (Monte’s daughter), Hunter Parisek (Kasey’s son), Dakota Parisek (Kasey’s daughter).

The Watkins Family

“They brought their dreams to fruition so their family could enjoy the lake as they did.”

When Frank Watkins learned of the new lake created by the Corps of Engineers, he and his sons Ray and John, planned a fi shing trip to Holly Creek to check out the man-made lake. The year was 1949. And they’d all been drawn to the lake.

Photos by Plas Darren Oliver I www.plasdarrenoliver.com

1949

Family fi shing trip to the newly created Dale Hollow Lake. Not long after, the family begins construction on the Queen Geneva houseboat (named for Monte Watkins’ aunt).

1952

The Queen Geneva houseboat was launched in the early 50s and is believed to be the fi rst houseboat on Dale Hollow Lake. Named for Geneva Monroe, who is standing in the photo below.

1968

Ray Watkins and his family offi cially entered the houseboat-building industry in 1968, doing business as Valcruz. The company completed 30 houseboats and about 50 boat hulls during its fi ve years of operation. About four to six of their boats are still in use on Dale Hollow Lake. In photo below from left, Ray Watkins, Monte Watkins (Ray’s son), and family friend Milburn Monroe.

an War. Meanwhile the Watkins men, searching for a better way to explore the lake, began construction on a houseboat on the family’s land in Louisville, KY. According to the Watkins family, that houseboat, the Queen Geneva, was the fi rst houseboat to be launched at Dale Hollow Lake.

When Ray Watkins was honorably discharged from the Army, he and his son Monte, along with other family members offi cially entered the houseboat-building industry in 1968, doing business as Valcruz. The company crafted some 30 houseboats and about 50 hulls. The business dissolved in 1972, but the family continued to build, and in 1985, the family constructed their current boat, the Miss Kasey and Monica Too. “They were pioneers in times when people only dreamed and had aspirations, “said Monica Watkins-Warner, granddaughter of Ray, and daughter of Monte. “They brought their dreams to fruition so their family could enjoy the lake as they did.”

Monte has been coming to the lake for 62 years, and some of his best memories center on the weekend with his dad, Aunt Gen (Geneva), Uncle J (John), and their friends.

“There were no stores or restaurants at Sulphur Creek. If you wanted chicken, you brought live chickens,” Monte said. “It’s come so far in my 62 years—it’s home. And it will always be home.” Although Ray passed away more than 12 years ago, Monte and his family continue to make memories on the lake.

“Every summer memory I have is on that lake,” Monica said, adding that the lake has been part of life for her and her older sister Kasey since they were newborns.

One of Monica’s favorite memories is mayfl y season fi shing trips with her mom, sister, and dad, (who she refers to as the ultimate fi sherman).

“My dad would purposely whip (the fl y rod) a few times in the air and land it in one of the trees with the most mayfl ies,” she said. “They would surround us like a black cloud, and that’s when the best fi shing was. I always loved that!”

1972

The Valcruz business dissolves after crafting 30 houseboats, several of which are still in use on the lake today.

1974

The April 3 tornado outbreak carries Queen Geneva to the back of what is now Sulphur Creek (formerly Cumberland County Boat Dock).

1985

The Watkins’ houseboat was originally named, “Miss Kasey”, in honor of their fi rst-born daughter. When Kasey’s younger sister Monica was about 10, she realized her name could be added, as well. After some begging and pleading, Monte and Patty Watkins changed the houseboat’s name to “Miss Kasey Monica Too.” See photo below on left.

2018

The Watkins family continues to create memories on the Miss Kasey and Monica Too, continuing the traditions that Ray Watkins began. Pictured below are Monte and Patty Watkins, center, and their daughters Kasey Watkins, far left, and Monica Watkins-Warner, far right, who are continuing a family tradition of houseboating on Dale Hollow Lake that dates back to the early 1950s.

At the urging of their dad, Monica and her sister Kasey learned about boating responsibly at an early age—she was about 11-years-old when she and her sister received boater education books. By the time they were 12, the girls took boater licensing classes, which they’ve put to good use over the years, driving the smaller boats and jet skis.

“I think Dad was so proud of us when we passed our tests,” Monica said, “although both of us are still too scared to drive the houseboat!”

While those and other real-life skills have served her well over the years, Monica says nothing can top the intangibles that have resulted from her family’s time on Dale Hollow Lake. “Reminiscing on the love, milestones, and memories that have taken place on that lake over the past 60-plus years our family has been coming here is the ultimate affi rmation that material things don’t matter,” she said. “We are blessed to still be able to love and enjoy the place that my grandfather loved so much. Family is what matters, and Dale Hollow Lake is where my heart and family will always be.”

“That fi shing trip launched an annual tradition that’s 68 years strong and counting. Over the years, it’s meant more than just fi shing, waterfall expeditions, and even a houseboat-building business.”

RESTAURANT

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