We truly enjoy and look forward to that week. For the past ten years, that every two year week has been spent with family and adopted family, Mike and Sue! Nephew Jimmy, sister-in-law Liz (Scottsdale, AZ), niece Crystal and her husband Doug and children Kennedy and Kane (Kearney, NE), and friend Mike (Phoenix) have all been with us for the last five trips. Larry's brother Wayne and his daughter Sophi (Portland, OR) have been with us for the last three trips. Niece Karyl and her husband Travis and their children Brady, Dawson and Kealy (Omaha, NE) have joined us for the past four trips. Friend Sue (Phoenix) joins us for whatever time her work and family obligation schedule allows. Mutual friend of Sue and me, Jackie (Phoenix), joined us for part of the week this year. What a crew!!! We've all been doing this trip for so long everyone now knows what is involved and completely participates in securing the boat once we've beached. Securing the boat involves digging four big holes on the beach to plant the anchors which are tied to lines to the boat to keep it in place when the wind blows. You never know when the wind might blow - a lot! The lake level was rising daily while we were on the lake requiring daily tightening of those anchor lines. Once again, we have a great crew who all work to keep the 52' houseboat secure - but especially the guys!
The picture below is the houseboat (Castaway Island) moving through "the cut". The cut was dredged a few years ago allowing a short cut up the lake. It has become wider and deeper than when first used a few years ago. Nonetheless, I like it best when we move through it and there aren't other houseboats coming in the opposite direction - it can "feel" a tad tight!
We had lots of toys this trip: a ski/tubing boat, three paddle boards (FYI: two of them inflatables and surprisingly stable) and five kayaks. The toys are loaded up top on the houseboat while we travel and the ski boat is towed behind the houseboat. That is great-nephew, Brady in the picture.
Niece Sophi and great-nieces and nephew Dawson, Kealy and Kane enjoying the view from on top as we cruise through the cut.
We cruised for several hours to arrive at our destination arm of the lake. We then idled in the main channel of the lake while waiting for the scouting crew, using the ski boat, to find the perfect spot to beach the houseboat.
The picture below is of the kids jumping off the top of the boat while waiting for the ski boat to return to show us the way to where we'll beach the boat. Great-niece, Kealy jumped for her first time! Picture below is of Kane and Dawson.
The scout crew found us a great spot that met all our requirements of a great location. What constitutes a perfect spot: deep, clear water off the back of the boat for using the slide and swimming off the back; good location for paddle boarding and kayaking; good hiking is a plus; and in this instance, high rock walls preventing too early of sun when the sun rises and elimination of sunlight as the day comes to an end.
Nephew Jim and great-nephew Brady had been left in this spot (so no other houseboat would be able to get the spot while the scout boat looked around just a bit more to make sure we had the perfect spot) for about an hour. It was a warm day. So, those two and the scout crew had been out in the sun for a while and then immediately go to work digging anchor holes and tightening lines. Members of the crew were also busy helping pull on lines to tighten them and bringing water to anchor holes to further secure. Stakes are also pounded into where the anchors are planted for keep them in place in the event of high winds.
Their work didn't end there though!! Members of the crew began landscaping the beach area including a rock lined path from the boat to the landscaped horseshoe pit area! This picture shows Doug and Wayne working.
Now, another unexpected plus to this spot was that two different herds of Mountain Sheep came down to the lake to water, just 75 ft. or so from our boat! It was nearly a daily journey for them allowing us to watch their progress from the front deck of the boat while watching the guys play horseshoes.
So, following the efforts involved in beaching the houseboat, it was time to gather on top of the boat and just enjoy the view and visit.
We have a meal schedule where each family has assigned meals to prepare. Liz and Jimmy had dinner that night. Liz had appetizers along with her meal as well as her famous Double Black Diamond drink-of-the-day!!! We eat well every day on the boat!
The following morning, I woke early, got my cup of coffee and walked up a ways to get a picture of the houseboat. Beautiful!
There are four bedrooms on the boat along with two bathrooms and a shower. The boat has a stove with oven and refrigerator/freezer as well as a freezer (for ice) on the front deck and two big coolers on the front deck. As seen in the picture of Liz and Jimmy cooking, we have a big gas grill on the top deck.
Most of the crew sleep on airbeds or pads on the top deck. It was always warm during the day (90s) and cooled down nicely at night (high 60s).
How do we survive being on the lake for a week??
Kayaking and paddle boarding...
Playing on the slide....
Horseshoes and those who watch those who play horseshoes....
Swimming....
I may be editing this blog as I receive pictures from others in the group. We did a sunset cruise that I don't have pictures of as well as our sunrise trip to Rainbow Bridge. I'll end, though, with our group photo.
(l-r front row: Kane, Kealy, Dawson. l-r middle row: Travis, Brady, Sophi, Karyl, Crystal, Jackie. l-r back row: Jayne, Larry, Wayne, Jimmy, Liz, Kennedy Mike and Sue)
Great-niece Kennedy took this selfie!
Another great Lake Powell vacation!!
I just have to add these pictures. Larry, Mike, Doug and Travis had nearly daily horseshoe "tournaments" with the younger guys against the older guys. The younger guys wanted their pictures taken with the older guys when the older guys were caught...napping.
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