Only eight of us went on Bill's houseboat trip to Lake Powell this year. Here we're packing up seven water skis, two wake boards, one knee-board, and eight life jackets for the crew.
Maureen, her daughter, Christina, and Maureen's friend, Cathie drove from Orange County and met us at Bill's house in Prescott Valley. The next day six of us drove the four hours to Page, Arizona where we met up with Linda & Randy.
The guys and Christina unloaded our gear from the vehicles while four girls went to Walmart to do the food shopping. We all spent the night on the houseboat in the yard before our very early launch on Friday morning.
Silver Moon
Top deck
Interior; Living Room, Kitchen, then 4 bedrooms on the right and 2 bathrooms on the left in the back then a sliding door to the back deck.
Front Deck
Very early on Friday morning, the houseboat management company launched the houseboat from Wahweap Marina. Bill, Maureen, Christina, and Cathie rode in the houseboat. Linda, Randy, Al, and I launched the ski boat.
One minute video of the launch:
We're underway
We rode separately through the Castle Rock Cut before connecting the ski boat to the back of the houseboat.
Once the ski boat was tied up to the back of the houseboat, it was time to relax and watch the scenery go by as we rode the houseboat about six hours east and into the San Juan River.
Tower Butte
Our Captain, Bill
Randy takes a turn at the helm.
Then the controls were switched to the upper deck helm to better enjoy the scenery.
Al is very relaxed!
Can you believe Bill let me drive????
Look, no hands!
Linda and Nancy
Once we got close to where we planned to anchor for five nights in the Wilson Creek area of the San Juan River, the ski boat was disconnected and a some of the crew ventured out to find our anchor site.
They left me in charge of driving the houseboat until an anchor spot was determined.
Once a spot was determined, the ski boat came back to the houseboat to direct the way. Then the guys and Christina got the anchor and ropes set and tied tightly and we were all set to enjoy the evening.
Here is where we anchored for the five nights.
Then it was time for dinner. Al is cooking up some chicken for our salad bar dinner. An easy dinner was prepared after a long day.
Then we settled in on the top deck to watch God's picture show as the sun set.
Maureen, Christina, an Al enjoying the sunset and waiting for the stars to make their appearances
The next day it was time to get on the water. It really is hard to focus on skiing when the reflection on the water and scenery are so beautiful!
Nancy
Nancy
Randy on doubles
Randy trying the slalom ski off the boom
Al
Al
Linda & Randy
Nancy & Al
Look at this cute guy enjoying some shade
Bill, Randy, & Linda, Al & Nancy
After skiing in the mornings, it was time to play in the afternoons on non-motorized toys.
Randy
Or, just relax and stay cool......
Linda and Randy
Linda, Randy, and Nancy keeping cool
Lamb chops for 8!?! Boy were they delicious!
Al helping Cathie cook the lamb chops
Cathie's Greek dinner
Lamb chops, Greek salad, and rice
Cathie and Christina
Another night of God's picture show!
Bill and Cathie
We had some local visitors, Navajo Indians
We had an opportunity to talk to some of the Navajo people who were fishing on the lake. They live nearby and have this beautiful place as their backyard!
Christina enjoying a good book
Next day,
Maureen
Maureen with Cathie observing
Maureen
Christina
Christina
Christina
Cathie
Cathie
Bill
Bill
Bill
Bill
Nancy
Christina
Christina
Randy with Navajo Mountain in the background
Randy
Randy and Al
Al and Randy
Al
Al's in the kitchen......what's he making? Christina and Bill can't wait to find out! Could it be his famous cilantro rice?
Next morning......perfect conditions for barefooting!
Bill getting help into his barefoot suit and booties
All of these barefooting videos are short. It's interesting to see the different styles.
So Christina decided she wanted to try barefooting!
Then she thought, "Do I really want to try this?"
"Ok, I'm ready........
Getting some tips from Al,
First try,
If you don't watch any of the other videos, watch this next one!
The expression on Christina's face is priceless!
Way to go Christina! You'll forever have this proof!
On the second day of skiing, Cathie had a bad fall. She hurt her ankle/foot real bad so it was quickly elevated and ice applied.
I wasn't on the ski boat at the time of the accident but when I saw it return to the houseboat early, I thought either they forgot something or someone got hurt. Unfortunately it was the later.
Randy cooking chicken
Linda & Randy's dinner of chicken, potatoes, and salad with cheesecake for dessert (Cathie in the corner with her foot elevated and iced.)
Al enjoying some quiet time
A double rainbow
Bill, Al, and Linda chillin' on the top deck
Linda & Randy getting some screen time
Al
Al
Nancy & Al - holding our hats on!
Al
Al
Al
Christina and Maureen observing
Al driving with Christina observing
Christina and Maureen
Christina and a rainbow
Oh yea, Al's in the kitchen again.....and Red Vines are not an ingredient!
Randy, Cathie (on the sofa with her foot elevated), Maureen, Bill, and Christina on the floor - Chillin' inside
Randy, Cathie, and Maureen
One day Bill took some of us on a little tour of some of his favorite spots on the lake in the San Juan River area.
Maureen and Christina
Peekaboo Arch (way up there)
Maureen, Cathie (with elevated foot), and Christina
Photo credit to Randy Etzel
Maureen and Christina
More natives, this time donkeys
Christina, Maureen, and Bill take a little hike
Christina and Maureen
Unfortunately it was time to leave our beautiful site.
Randy, Al, Christina, and Bill removing the anchor ropes. We had some strong winds one night so one of the boulders moved slightly trapping the rope and anchor.
After the ropes and anchors were successfully removed it was time to get underway heading back towards Wahweap marina.
While the houseboat was slowly moving along, we got in a little skiing and wakeboarding before stopping off at Last Chance Bay for one last night. We just had to keep the ski boat ahead of the houseboat.
We had an opportunity to teach Randy to wakeboard. First he's on the rope attached to the boom and then he got up on the long line.
Then the houseboat caught up to us and it was time to connect the ski boat to the houseboat and continue our ride to Last Chance Bay.
Bill in his happy place.
Ski boat being towed behind the houseboat
Linda & Randy
Al searching for channel buoys to help navigate our way back.
Linda & Randy
Cathie (who crawled up the steps to enjoy the view on the top deck), Nurse Maureen, and Bill
We arrived at Last Chance Bay and some of the crew went to find an anchor spot for the night. Here is where we anchored.
Us at Last Chance Bay
Us at Last Chance Bay
Maureen and Christina cooking spaghetti and meatballs
Maureen and Christina cooking with Cathie supervising
Celebrating Linda's birthday, houseboat style
Randy enjoying the slide
Randy enjoying the slide
Going back through the Castle Rock cut early in the morning on our last day on the way back to Wahweap Marina.
The crew, Al, Linda, Christina, Cathie, Nancy, Bill with Maureen and Randy in front
Cathie back home after visiting the doctor. Her foot had broken bones and required surgery! Wishing Cathie a speedy recovery!
Another houseboat trip is in the history books!
Next we finally get back on the road with our new trailer. Come along....
