The Twisted Pearl has been a rather infamous Lake Chelan party boat the last several years. It has generated complaints from residents and visitors alike for anchoring out near Wapato Point and having big parties. But, it looks like its days on Lake Chelan, at least as the Twisted Pearl, may be numbered. Here it is, moored off Madeline and Hyacinth roads in Manson with “for sale” painted all over it. It is a marketing job almost as classy as the rest of the operation was. Finally, last fall, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and the Chelan County Sheriff’s office put an order on the company to cease its operations. The state liquor control board was also investigating whether the boat was serving liquor without a liquor license. On the Twisted Pearl’s former web si... 08/24/2010

Here are the "final" documents from the Manson Sub Area Plan from Chelan County Planning today.  They take effect on January 11 and vacation rentals need to have their permits by May 1st: Manson Draft Zoning Final signed Manson Draft Zoning Map BOCC Hearing Manson Comp Plan Resolution with Exhibit A 01/06/2010

Folks often ask about houseboats on Lake Chelan.  There is at least one large, luxurious houseboat on the lake.  There are pontoon boat and boat rentals from a few different companies, but no houseboat rentals I am aware of. Often moored at the Manson marina, this Harbor Master appears to be a 52 footer.  It is owned by Ken Blodgett of Blodgett construction out of Malaga.  I took a picture of it in Manson yesterday.  I've seen it going by my house this summer, but never had my camera handy when it went by.  There were lots of smiles coming from the boat as it passed! With the limited moorage we have on Lake Chelan, I don't expect to see many of this size boat on the lake.  but, from what I've seen, they have a great time on this one!  It does look like fun. 09/11/2009

I was by Benson Vineyards a couple of weeks ago with friends who were in town.  As it turns out the Benson family had just completed their new, and spectacular, tasting room.   Nature has already given the Benson Winery one of the most incredible settings in the Pacific Northwest with sweeping Lake Chelan views projecting across their 28 acres of grape vines.  For years, I had seen plans of the now complete tasting rooms and barrel rooms, but now, if you haven't been to Benson Vineyards lately, you really haven't been there at all! The vision of all this started in the Benson family with their purchase of the property 11 years ago, and it has been taking form ever since.  It is a family affair, where you will find Kathy (Mom), Paul (Dad), and son Jeff and Scott about tending to some asp... 08/31/2009

The Manson Sub Area group adopted an urban growth area and agreed to land use designations as well.  There is still some discussion pending on wording and use charts for some of the zones in the Manson UGA.  The group will forward the recommendations to the Manson Community Council.  After that, the Chelan County Planning commission weighs in on the topic and finally, the Sub Area Plan goes before the Chelan County Commission for adoption. You can see what was adopted at the Chelan Real Estate Blog here: Proposed Manson UGA and Land use agreed at Sept 16 meeting. 09/22/2008

The Sub Area Planning Committee agreed in their meeting last night to propose a new Urban Growth Boundary for the Manson, Washington area.  Their proposal intends to follow the sewer service area and is a 67% increase from the existing Urban Growth Boundary. You can read the entire posting at the Chelan Real Estate Blog right here: Manson Sub Area Group Adopts Urban Growth Area 08/20/2008