Sun, Water and Orange Cliffs

Lake Powell, September 2012

I'm so glad we were able to go to Lake Powell. I love being there and was especially happy that Paul could be there too. It's a place that is a big part of my identity and I appreciate every second I get to spend there.

Lake Powell Monday was two days after my marathon aka - height of muscle soreness (my hip joints were much worse on Sunday). Therefore, when we to the grocery store on the way down to the lake I took full advantage of NOT walking when I didn't have to. My mom and I went into the store together and she got a good laugh out of my new mode of transportation. Then, Paul came into the store and pretty much keeled over laughing, then Eric spotted me in the store and had the same reaction. You guys. I couldn't walk.

We knew going into this trip that it was likely our last for a while. I savored every minute of my favorite Lake Powell traditions that we've built up over the last 25 years of my life, and sorry that I'm going to post pictures of almost all of them.

Hollow Mountain! A gas station convenient built inside a sandstone formation in Hanksville, UT. Or, as we like to (incorrectly) call it - Hole in the Rock. :) Apparently we got confused about those two Lake Powell moments as children. We always stop here for a gas fill up and treat. It's a little over an hour from the lake. My favorite memories here are stepping out of the car (especially in early Spring Lake Powell trips) and feeling the hot dry air for the first time.

 

 When we got to the Lake Monday evening we checked onto the boat, ate dinner, then went out for a ski ride. I went out on the boat, but didn't change into my swim suit due to the state of my leg muscles. After my dad and Eric took their ski rides I could resist. I jumped in the Lake in my clothes and my legs had no trouble gliding along the water. :)

The next day we all went out on the Shoell's boat in Bullfrog Bay and I couldn't stop grinning. One year not being on a boat or lake will do that to a water-lover.

Herbal Essence Paul loved it too.

 I think this was a mistake picture but I liked it. I love that Neonderthal & I love that water.

Paul's eyes were hating the wind. Wife's giant shades to the rescueeee!

Mom and Shelly just chatting it up like the BFFs they are.

I will never, to the end of my days stop bragging about my dads slalom abilities.

Air Pauly!

Herds of birds.

The envy of my heart... Kevin's gargantuan lens.

Some of the happiest moments of my life are behind a boat.

Things got real crazy when we started a new Lake Powell tradition! Fake Busch Gardens!

Five slalom skiiers!

And then my favorite night ski ride. When the warm arm hugs your skin and the water is full of so many great colors. My first night ski ride this trip the water was hot pink and I couldn't stop thinking I was in a fairytale.

Wednesday was canyoneering day. 

This experience deserves a blog post of its own, and after much deliberation, it will get just that (update! It's the next post!).

But here is a sneak peak of dirtiest mud-covered Paul and billions of Kevin's carabiners which we were washing out. 

 

Best pink sunset.

Thursday was Moki Sand Dunes, cliff jumping and relaxing.

Paul won the race up the sand hill without even trying. Cyclist lungs and legs!

I did love this kayak ride to end my day

Friday we ate breakfast, packed our sandwiches and headed for Rainbow Bridge.

I loved the drive there. It was so long, but so great to get to see some much of the Lake that I love.

Including this wall, which fell not-too-long ago. Isn't that amazing?? We also got to stop at Dangling Rope Marina, and wave to the San Juan arm. 

And here we have the real Hole-in-the-Rock, where Mormon Pioneers passed through with Handcarts. We didn't have time to hike it this day, but I liked the drive by.

Rainbow Bridge! It's she glorious?

We like this partial-Shoell family so much (and the rest that couldn't come too!)

Partial-Carruth family! Eric left Wednesday night (to move to San Diego) and Kimberly, Celeste, and Brandon weren't able to come. We missed them a lot.

When Paul gets sick of pictures... he puts an end to them with awkwardness.

Cat walk dock on the way back to the boat!

Work it dad!

Chelsey was such a nice friend and companion this trip. She was the nicest and did all sorts of finagling to find a way to come down half way through the week and surprise me. I found out early, but was still so happy for her to be there.

Next up is Saturday, which started out as wake boarding  water weenie, swimming in the slip and enjoying the slide like little kids again day.

This is the most narcissist thing I've ever done but I feel like this pictures actually shows I ran a marathon with those legs!

I am so glad Keaton drove down for less than 24 hours of Lake Powell time.

Feel free to just be done with this blog post now. 

 Suddenly (I thought we were leaving Sunday) Saturday turned into good bye to the houseboat day. I was really not happy and sweet Paul made things better by taking pictures of me in every place in that boat. Believe me when I say I left out a lot. But I needed these for my personal happiness and memories (plus my mom thinks I'm funny).

Pootopia came to pump out our boat so we didn't get the lovely pump station experience one last time.

My mom, checking us off the houseboat. This is an important part of our trips as its the first and last thing we do every single time.

The front deck with nice Kassie and Dad on the phone like he was all week trying to get the boat fixed. (Whoops we were trying to forget about that, but sometimes you've got to be honest in documentation).

Just enjoying that open bow, one more time.

Memories on this top deck include:

Jumping off the top of the houseboat while we drive in the channel, sleeping up top and seeing a billion starts, satellites and shooting stars, late night dance parties and glowsticks, talent shows, and even some Sunday testimony meetings. 

Captain Dave's seat. 

Starboard! Port!

I call this Grandpa's chair. Grandpa Carruth is always in it when he's on the boat. He and Grandma used to always bring down hand-held Yahtzee or Solitaire games. Recent years have been more crosswords and books. 

This is where all the delicious Lake Powell meals happen. Classics are: turkey steaks and primary potatoes, lasagna and french bread, tacos, sloppy joes, french toast, egg mcmuffins, lots of sandwiches, and of course goldfish, m&m's and popcorn. On the old Red Sands we had to worry about the fridges losing battery and beeping all through the night. That memory also reminded me of mice. Mice are the only bad thing about Lake Powell.

This may look like the worst ever picture, but Paul and I took a very similar one the first time he was on the houseboat when we were engaged babies and 5 years later we needed another.

Diving competitions off the back deck are favorite memories. Also, washing our hair at night and smoothest shaved legs from cold lake water. 

Livesava.

This is my personal favorite. 

The generator.

Dinner bell! (Worst face).

This picture means a lot more today than it did that day. Just last Saturday my parents sold that precious Monterey ski boat. I felt a lot of emotion and attachment to it when I found out it was gone - even more than to the house I grew up in (which they just moved from recently). Just so many life changes right now for those parents and our family. All positive though. Besides never skiing on that beautifully perfect wake again.

Sterling joined my picture fun even though he hated every second.

So many games have been played here, Harry Potter and Twilight books read, and meals eaten together. But whatever you do don't sit on the couches wet. I just remembered the ice maker on the old Red Sands that we would stash our candy in. 

Kassie just showing off those storage closets.

There are just so many nice memories on the Red Sands and the Red Sands II.

The drive back to our car has always been a favorite for me too, just sitting on top of pillows and blankets and enjoying the last bit of Lake Powell sun.

Driving up the ramp in the boat is always bittersweet. I kind of hate the feeling of the boat leaving the water and being on solid ground again. As we drive up the super long ramp I always turn around and take a last look at the beautiful blue water and red cliffs and hope I see it again real soon.