We are not great boaters.

And we are not great campers either. So, when the eight of us (my parents, my pregnant with twins sister and her husband, the kids, Super Husband and I) boarded a house boat on Lake Powell last week, I sort of knew we were in for it.

The truth is that all things considered, we did pretty well. It's a gorgeous place, one that I consider myself very lucky to have seen. And, considering Mom is scared to absolute death of water (she has been known to break out in hives on a pier) she REALLY did well. I honestly didn't think she'd get on the boat in the first place, so that she made it 5 days and 4 nights is an incredible feat... she deserves a medal... and some jewelry (hint, hint, Dad) for tolerating this adventure.

The other truth is that despite the fact that none of us really knew what we were doing, we only got stuck on the beach we had "parked" the house boat on one time on the very last day.

This was not fun, and I thought we'd never get off, but somehow or another we made it ... after an hour of digging us out by Super Husband and with Super Grandpa on the speed boat behind us tugging at full force praying the house boat didn't suddenly come free and crash madly into him.

More good news... I CAN survive without a hair dryer and showering in a two by two cell with a drip of cold water to clean me.

Another thing I found out about myself this week was that I have a mean swing when there is a big brown poisonous spider involved and that I can move like a speeding bullet if there is a wasp in a boat cabin with me. What I re-learned about Super Husband... he will not kill a big brown poisonous spider ... and not because he's such a nature lover... ah hem. It's because they are big and brown and poisonous.

Things I learned about my kids... they are super cute when they are fishing, they really don't care about showering one bit, and they do not like small speed boats in the high wind (and neither do I even if it means seeing the infamous Rainbow Bridge up close in person).

Also, I learned (as if I didn't already know) that kids can spend hours upon hours rushing down a house boat slide with a five foot drop. And they can pack away s'mores like nobody's business. They were the only ones in the bunch that I believe could actually LIVE on a house boat no problem.

So despite the fact that his wife is probably going to extort payment for this from him for the rest of his life (just kidding mom) this is exactly why Super Grandpa spent a small fortune on a house boat. Because the joy of kids (especially ones who are your grandchildren) is absolutely priceless.

And, I for one, especially enjoyed the scenery.
TTFN,

Comments

[Laurie]

1.

ohhh, glad you all "survived"....looks like gorgeous scenery!

[Jeannette]

2.

Oh, How lovely, I am happy the whole family had a great time and learned new things about themselves. The scenery is beautiful. Love to see pics of the boat and the whole family.

Glad you enjoyed yourself,
Jeannette

[Kimberly]

3.

Looks like you had a fantastic time with all of your family with you! What splendid memories!

[Missy]

4.

EW- Big brown poisonous spiders? Hobo's I'm assuming? THEY FREAK ME OUT! Those guys are fast too. So sick! I've been around them each summer for the past 9 years and I am still so afraid. Luckily I've only seen a few this summer. We never had anything like them growing up in Oregon.
Glad you guys survived and had fun too!
PS- I love that you call your husband "Super Husband!" I bet he loves it too.

[Wendy]

5.

Lake Powell...ahh...absolutely beautiful. One of my fondest childhood memories.

[Simone]

6.

Such a great post about a vacay! Artfully said!

[Knitterella]

7.

Wow! What a fantastic looking trip. Great photos too - love the photos of kids flying off the slide!

[suzi]

8.

Love that place!!! Looks like you had great weather!! Your kids will remember it for a long time.