Back in December, we got a call from some good friends asking us if we wanted to join them and another family at Lake Powell in June. Um . . . heck ya! I have been to Lake Powell a few times as a kid and last in 1994, but it's always been a favorite of mine and some of the best waterskiing on earth.
The three families started planning a long time ago and we really did an amazing job, if I do say so myself. Between getting the boat that belongs to my family ready (getting props rebuilt, getting new plates for the trailer and getting the boat registered, etc) and planning/shopping for food for 16 people, it was quite an undertaking.
We left super early two days after school got out and stayed in Hanksville, UT the first night after a stop at Arches National Park to hike and see the sights. The next day was an easy drive to Lake Powell and we even let Cooper drive for a while (and if the look on the face of the lady that took our money at the entrance to the park is any indication, he still doesn't look old enough to drive).
We enjoyed 6 nights on the lake with only a few mishaps (one of the engines on the house boat died, we didn't have the right equipment to pump out the sewage tank and the speed boat was a little testy at times . . . oh and we had a bit of an ant problem at times). But, what's a vacation without a few good stories to tell, right? "Technically", we were only supposed to have 12, but who's counting. The kids all got along so well and having buddies always available made it so nice.
The kids loved sleeping under the stars on top of the house boat, going down the slide off the back of the boat, cliff diving, playing in the sand and mud, catching lizards, roasting marshmallows over the fire, tubing behind the boat and we even got several kids up on skis and/or kneeboards. Knowing that after this summer, we only have two more summers before Cooper graduates from high school, I am so grateful for this trip. We had no cell service, no electronic devices and we just played for a week straight. I know the kids will always remember this trip. Many memories were made!
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| Ready to head out at 6:30 a.m. |
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| Arches hike |
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| Finally at the top |
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| Thinking of sending this to the Moab Chamber of Commerce as Kaiya continues her journey of doing handstands across America. |
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| Really incredible view |
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| She actually got applause from everyone at the top as she did this one |
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| Yes, he actually drove the houseboat |
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| Day one |
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| One of the rare times that Doug wasn't driving either the houseboat or speed boat |
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| Launching herself off the slide on back of the houseboat |
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| Crazy Kinley |
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| This is the life |
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| Cooper and Brayden in a mud war |
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| Goofballs |
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| Doug's turn to ski |
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| Not sure this girl knows how to stay upright anymore |
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| Kaiya on the kneeboard |
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| Got Coop up on skis |
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| 53' footer we called home for 6 nights |
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| Captain Douglas |
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| Tubes are good for so much more than water fun |
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| Twins! Kaiya's favorite family to babysit. |
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| Snack time |
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| Quick stop at the Marina for supplies |
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| Probably my favorite picture of the trip |
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| The scenery is just breathtaking |
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| Might have to send this one to a magazine |
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| S'mores! |
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| Blaine and Tirsa |
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| Michelle and Adam |
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| Over 20 years ago, Doug asked my dad if he could marry me at Lake Powell. We haven't changed a bit. |
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| Kinley being Ezra's pillow |
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| One of many log rolls off the tube |
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| Coop and Ezra ready for take off |
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| Blonde beach buddies |
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| What a great trip |
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| Did I mention how much I love to waterski? |
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| Final handstand had to be on top of the houseboat, of course |
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| Even old ladies can still do a handstand . . . difference is my wrists hurt for days afterward |
