Some of the landings along the rivers and Lake Seminole have very ancient roots.

For instance, Trail’s End existed long before there even was a Lake Seminole. It has been a gathering place for people for thousands of years. Like most areas that have a long heritage, it has seen its ups and downs. Right now, it is in a time of rebirth, because it is being transformed into a jewel on the Chattahoochee River.

Not only does the Trail’s End Resort and Marina have comfortable camping, a great restaurant and a well-supplied store, it now also has the area’s first gated houseboat community, The Cove. These structures are just like home, except you have the Chattahoochee River in front of your screened-in porch.

To go on down to The Cove, you use the road that was cut through the woods about two centuries ago. For in the early 1800s, this was a famous gathering place for those who wanted to travel or ship cargo up river to Columbus, Ga., or down river to Apalachicola, Fla.

Built on barge-like hulls, the houseboats are stable. You do not feel the passing waves of boats nor does it move when you walk about. There are four different floor plans from which you can choose.

Each houseboat has its own attached dock, making it possible to tie up your boat at your front deck. You can also design your houseboat to have a swim deck just outside the porch.

Furnishing your boat is easy. You can use the furniture service, which is Thomasville. Since the houseboats are constructed in Thomasville, too, your weekend getaway is furnished right there. Then they are brought to Trail’s End and put in place.

Since boaters are a gregarious, friendly group, they enjoy gathering to have fun and to share boating adventures. The spacious club house is perfect for gathering. There is a full kitchen, a comfortable lounge area complete with a huge television as well as a game room complete with pool tables and arcade machines. The clubhouse is also available for parties.

There is the swimming pool complete with comfortable lounges. The little ones are not forgotten because there are swings and slides and other fun in the enclosed playground.

If you don’t want your gathering in the clubhouse, you can have it on the party barge in houseboat row. This is a full-size houseboat with a wide-open deck. There are stoves for grilling, tables and chairs as well as a screened-in section.

The popular mode of transportation at The Cove is the golf cart. There are several nature trails that wind through the 70 acres of woodland. The trails have been made wide enough to accommodate golf carts and wheelchairs of those who require them.