Departure from McAllen. Met Brad & Nicole in Dallas. Flew to SLC together. Piled into rented minivan that barely contained all our luggage. Star sighting at Crown Burger. Checked into hotel. Kids all fell asleep; Mike and I went to DI, REI, Sundance outlet, and Mel's to see her new house and new Scottie, Dash. Reconvened at hotel w/kids and recently arrived Aunt Cathy and numbersome cousins. Chatted, ate pizza and had a sock fight with Parker & little Brad. Readied for bed, slept.
Wednesday August 1
Big Brad's sore throat worse. Mike takes him to urgent care. We rouse girls and pack up. MIL Sue and cousin Tyler meet us at hotel. Cathy heads back to ID with two cousins; two cousins (little Brad and Alexis) come with us. We pick up Big Brad up--no strep, but he's miserable--and the 10 of us caravan to brunch. Finally get on the road to Powell. Torrential rain through Parowan. Running late to meet SIL Jill, BIL Steve & family (party of 19). Spend 3 hours at Fiesta Mexican in Page, AZ (2 hours waiting, 1 hour eating). Decamped to the Super Evil Store (W-M) for groceries. We blew $400 on food/water for 6 people for FOUR days. Drove to marina, unloaded vehicles/loaded golf carts and headed for the house boat. Orientation: Learned which faucets dispense potable water or gray water, toilet etiquette, keeping doors CLOSED and where to store our groceries. Mike and I get a bunk, kids sleep up top.
Thursday August 2
The Caspian sets sail! We gas up and start our 15 mph chug onto the lake. Power boat and SIL Kelly/BIL Shawn's boat run ahead to scope out a houseboat parking spot. I feel seasick through the channels, but am OK. Boat is parked/anchored. Some kids go out on powerboat (the Malibu); other kids get left behind. :( Mike and I jet ski and swim off by ourselves and came back for spaghetti dinner, watching movie "New York Doll," and playing rousing cards games before everyone konked out. Major lightning storm and some fireworks.
Friday August 3
Leisurely wake up and breakfast. Fishing over side of houseboat. Campaign to get the left-behinds on the Malibu (successfully); forgot how much encouragement some teens need to participate in things. Mike & I take out Kelly's boat (the same boat the Stevens clan grew up taking to Powell every summer since it opened) and Mike teaches Jessica and little Brad to water ski. Nicole & Jackie try, too. After some vehicle swapping between boats and jet skis, Alexis, Jackie & I try wake boarding--but the rope is too long for any of us to get up. :( Back to houseboat for dinner and a movie. While we're watching "The Other Side of Heaven," a BAT flies into the houseboat. We laugh our asses off while realizing Someone Left a Door Open (gasp) and trying to chase the poor creature outdoors. More lightning and rain.
To be continued... but a few last pictures.
Little Brad & Tyler on the jet ski.
Take the picture; I'm holding a sharp fish!
Brad wake surfing.
Jeff showing us how an Aussie does it.
6 comments:
I'm loving this story and photos. Isn't it so interesting how different vacations to different places with different people than you're used to - well, it makes you feel a bit different.
I love that.
PS - I hope DH is appropriately worried that his daughters look that hot in a bikini. Effin a, man - I never looked that good in my life. Sigh.
It did help me feel enveloped by the Stevens clan, that's for sure. And now I get why people LOVE boating and water sports and going to Lake Whathaveyou--and especially Lake Powell.
The red rocks, blue sky and white foamy clouds were awesome. The tamarisk growing along the shore had burst into tiny purple flowers and the air smelled new and desert-y after each rainstorm. Damn, I wish I could bottle the smell of desert rainstorms. I would never smell of anything else.
And yes, Nicole and Jessica are skinny minnies. Jackie's more athletic, what with the basketball and weight training. (Nothing makes you feel better (ha ha) about your own sedentary, pushing 40 bod than standing next to sizes zero and two; at least it makes me want to recommit to an exercise program).
two comments:
1) your hated haircut actually looks like it held up fabulously for a Powell trip - way to go
2) I love that scene in New York Doll when Arthur "Killer" Kane says a beautiful opening prayer backstage before the reunion concert and just totally humbles David Johanssen. Loved many scenes in that movie actually.
Great Fun Powell Trip with inlaws - isn't it fun adjusting to the dynamics of a new family?
ME, I'm so glad you ended up enjoying your Powell experience. Maybe someday when all of our kids are accomplished swimmers, we can have a SFFH reunion there! ;)
ME: Looks like you guys had a blast! I take it you learned how to just go with the flow?
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