This summer we were invited to go on a Lake Powell house boat trip with Ryan’s partner Beth and her family. Every other year her family plans an adventure together. Usually there is a sailboat involved, but this year her brother Matt and his wife Shay added a daughter, Charlie to their family. The Korkuch family began to look for an option with crawling potential. Ryan suggested a house boat on Lake Powell. The decision was made and after looking at the boat and seeing that there was an extra bedroom we were invited along. We quickly said YES!

Don and I are the only retirees of the group so we volunteered to purchase the food. Each family was responsible for an evening meal which also included coming up with a theme for the evening. Each family sent a list of ingredients to us that they would need. We made lists and checked them numerous times to make sure that all items were purchased. Getting everyone to Paige Arizona took some logistics. Beth’s Mom and Dad ,Rob and Cynthia, had planned a mini vacation to the Grand Canyon. Ryan and Beth spent the weekend before the trip at a wedding in the north east. They arrived back to San Diego late Sunday night got up early and drove to the Grand Canyon to pick up Cynthia and Rob. Matt, Shay and Charlie were coming from the West Coast leaving early Monday morning. Don and I with our van filled with food left Sunday and drove almost to the Nevada state line.

We had food tucked everywhere including the back. It was good that we had our van!

Monday we drove the rest of the way to Arizona and were the first to arrive. We checked out the grocery store and made the last list of food to be bought in the morning. Everyone made it to our B&B in time for a walk in the cool desert air. There is excitement in the air as the weather looks great and we are all ready for a good time. We have a short meeting to determine what needs to be done before getting on the houseboat. Tasks are given out and we all head to bed hoping for a good night’s sleep.

Tuesday morning greets us with the sun shining. Most of us head to the marina where we will get the boat. Beth and Ryan head to get the power boat which we will be taking with. us. Don and I had kayaked on Lake Powell in 2015. The water level has dropped considerably since then. In fact over the last two years it has dropped more than 100 feet, Usually the power boat would be driven to where the house boat is located, but with the water so low it had to be taken to another location. When we arrived to the marina, we were amazed at how long the walk to the boats would be. We were relieved to find out that the boat rental business had shuttles that would take all the food and gear to the boat, otherwise it would have been an epic! Not something that would be a good start to the vacation.

Don and I made a mistake of not finding the exact location of where the house boat was located. We thought which was the wrong thought that it would be easy to fine. We ended up going to the right and not till later realized we were in a private house boat section. One can tell that there are very serious houseboats here,

We. thought our 70 foot house boat was large. A lot of the boats in the private section were a lot larger.

Eventually we were all reunited. As we waited for the person who was going to give us the briefing on the boat we put away the food and chose our bedroom. Ryan and Beth showed up with the powerboat. There are a lot of systems on the boat and a thick folder gave us the details. We were briefed and then a boat pilot came on board. It was his responsibility to take us away from the dock and head us out into open water. We were glad to have the power boat as we not only used it for water sports activities but also to be the scouting vessel for checking out our campsite for the night.

Our formal dining room, most of our meals were eaten on the second deck

It didn’t take us long to find a site for the night and begin to start enjoying the water.

Even Charlie had her own float shade. We were pleasantly surprised at how warm the temperature of the water was. We were all awed by the beauty that surrounded us.

By evening we were getting ready for a taco bar with a 70’s disco theme. Don and I had the first night .

Plenty of food, great company and beautiful surroundings made for a most enjoyable evening.

We were ready to party! or at least party to bed!

Charlie came as a disco ball and if we gave prizes for the best dressed, she would have won.

It pays to get up early. As usual I was the first one up and got to see the moon as it was shining light on the landscape.

Peace! Notice the anchor line. At each campsite we had to dig holes for 3 rather large anchors. Glad there were some math people to figure out the best angles.

Beth Matt and Shay take off exploring before breakfast.

Seems like there was a disagreement of which direction was the right one to go.

Today was Americana Day!

We had borrowed the neighbors flag in San Diego which hung for the day in the dining room!

After breakfast we headed out and Beth took the helm. No speed record today just a lot of sight seeing.

Today was more of the same: finding a great location….taking turns skiing….or wake boarding….swimming..paddle boarding ….fishing and trying out the little red canoe.

As Ryan discovered going in a straight line takes some skill!

A favorite job for Cynthia was taking care of Charlie. it was fun to watch their interactions.

We all became quite comfortable hanging out in this space.

Tonight we celebrated being All American. The evening was hosted by Rob and Cynthia. Hamburgers were done to perfection on the barbecue, The potatoe salad hit the spot. Apple and cherry pie with ice cream completed the menu.

It was a patriotic evening complete with a great song play list.

Charlie celebrating America day

Each day when we decided where to spend the night we had to secure the boat..It was all hands on deck!

Fortunately are anchors held each night,

Occasionally we had to dig numerous holes.

Our third day had the theme of incognito. One had the choice to determine what that meant.

Todays activity included the younger members of the team minus Charlie going on an exploratory trip with the powerboat. Due to the lowness of the water, the marina which would have allowed us to go further in the house boat was no longer functioning as the water level had dropped too much.

The whitish rock is where the water level used to be. By the time we left the water was dropping an inch a day.

More water activities as usual occurred today. Warm weather and calm conditions were conducive for what ever sport one wanted to do.

Don’s skis from his younger days even made an appearance

Finally it was time to see what incognito meant.

The hosts for tonight were Zorro, Mr. Smith and Waldo!

The courses for the night were vegetables that were chips, cauliflower that tasted like wings, broccoli hiding under a cheese crust, pork tenderloin that took the appearance of beef Wellington. The desert was ice cream with magic chocolate sauce.

The evening festivities were attended by the following unknown guests.

Another great night with star watching when the sun went down and before the moon rose.

Our last day before we had to return the boat didn’t disappoint. The weather and scenery was superb! Once again all water sports were enjoyed or you could just take in the surroundings,

Tonight it was Ryan and Beths turn to host. Their theme was The Great Gatsby. The menu included steak with asparagus and Waldorf salad . A drink called The Last Word was also served. Perhaps the highlight of the meal was the desert called Ice Box Cake.

Once again the costumes were of high quality!

It was quite the festive night for our last evening

With regret, it was time to pack up and head back to the dock. First though we had a great pancake breakfast cooked to perfection by Matt and enjoyed by all

Not wanting to waste any water time Ryan and Beth took a turn wake boarding on the foil before we loaded up and headed back

Great scenery, fun people and an awesome trip!