Lake Powell 2012

The long awaited Lake Powell trip, came and went like a high school relationship... but it was more significant. In general the travel day (whether to Utah or Arizona) is always more hectic than we expect, although it is always worth it. We woke up early, got to the airport at a perfect time (combining my over active planning and Shayna's fashionably "5" minutes late is a good middle ground), navigated through the sea of incompetent airport "professionals" and the even larger sea of novices who try to bring too many liquids and sharp objects through the security station, and made our way to the back-most seats on the plane. Downside: these are the only seats that don't recline; Upside: they provided a few empty seats across the isle from us. The 3.5hrs were alright until Trace decided to be "that child" that everyone glares back at...he was screaming so loud...anyways... we landed and were met by mom and katherine, and made it to the lake safely after a pleasant 6 hour drive.
We left the marina by ski boat later than expected because of multiple set backs (not enough life jackets on the boat, a jet ski that wouldn't start, tracking down a spotlight, etc). It was dark by the time that we set out. Cory and I used a spotlight to go from buoy to buoy, while Sarah and Mom followed close behind on jets skis (and sometimes too close beside- we found out after the trip that Sarah has no depth perception and that she was probably the one with the worst night vision- kudos Sarah for making it alive!). Cory and I didn't know that some of the buoys were not lit up, and upon passing one very close beside, we slowed down a bit. The whole experience was the topic of many parables for the rest of the trip. The temperature was perfect and the water was a nice 80 F. Shayna didn't ski or wake board because she has a bun in the oven and I didn't because... I have no excuses. I spent all the time in the water with Trace. He LOVED it. If we believed in reincarnation, he would come back as a fish. Drayke (Traces older cousin), would probably come back as a clam... he ate a few cups of sand each day... that kid is rugged. He'll never be called a sissy, that's for sure. We got to sleep out on the front (I think its called the bow) of the houseboat- we feel very special to have gotten that coved spot (probably the coolest and least bat/mosquito ridden area on the boat). Thanks guys. The trip was was complete only because all the women dressed up in bathing suits from the 80's (Shayna found them at a store, stuck in the past, in our current hometown McKenzie). Some of these women never even got to experience the 80s in their lifetime, but from the pictures you would never know it. Thankfully the 80's were a time of great fashion sense, so there is nothing they should feel embarrassed about. The trip was perfect great food, time to catch up with everyone (especially Joe who we hadn't seen or really even talked to in over 2 years- he has only changed for the better and thankfully has not changed too much), almost no sunburns (Shayna got fried on the last few hours on the water), and the one day we spent in St George broke up the drive home nicely.
[Insert Paragraph 1 here for the trip home... basically it was all the same, except no back seats, no empty seats, and we didn't have to wake up early].
We are so blessed to have a families that we both love and keep in touch with. Can't wait to live closer to them someday!