Lake Powell 2009

Our friends Greg and Heidi Johnson invited us to stay with them on their house boat at Lake Powell again this year. We went with them in 2006 and we loved it, so when they so generously invited us again, we jumped at the chance. Lake Powell is a beautiful and unique place (above is a picture of our view from the house boat), and the Johnsons are perfect hosts. The whole trip was fantastic. Here are a few of my favorite highlights:

- Being out on the boat in the early morning as the sun was breaking through the patchy gray clouds, watching Mike, Greg, and Heidi water ski on perfectly glassy water.

- Racing across the lake on the jet ski, the wind in my hair, catching some major air over the choppy waves. There's so much space to just go and go.

- Sitting on the shore with Mike at dusk, the water lapping at our feet, watching the lighting flash across the sky on the other side of the lake. So romantic and peaceful.

- Laying on my sleep bag on top of the house boat watching the brilliant star show in the night sky and contemplating the universe. Mary Kate was so excited. She spotted 11 shooting stars in one night.

- Falling asleep while reading a good book and nobody waking me up. I actually had a nap in the middle of the day! I can't remember the last time I was able to do that.

-Playing with the sandstone that makes up most of the solid ground at Lake Powell. I love that stuff. I love breaking apart the layers and crumbling them in my fingers, staining my hands red.

- Getting nibbled by a fish on the back of my knee while standing thigh deep in the water. I had no idea fish could actually bite. After I screamed and jumped out of the water that fish just floated there looking at me. I think he was proud of himself.

- Watching my daughter be a true Dickey. As a child I was careful and cautious about most everything. Mary Kate is fearless and adventurous, just like her dad. She likes to speed faster, jump farther, and climb higher. On the tube behind the boat, she had her thumbs up (the sign to go faster) the entire time. The poor boat couldn't give enough to satisfy her. Sometimes you could only see her flopping legs and her thumb sticking out of the tube as she flew across the water.

- Sound of Music sing alongs. Each person chooses a different song from the musical and belts it out at the top of their lungs, everyone at the same time. A very joyful, chaotic noise.

- Good conversations with Heidi. She is best listener I've ever known.

- The long boat ride to Hole in the Rock, enjoying the amazing and one of a kind scenery around us, during which Mike and I quickly hit the deck as the park ranger drove by so as not to get caught with too many people in our boat. A narrow escape!

- Marveling at the size of Lake Powell. There's about 2000 miles of shoreline, more than the whole western coast of the United States. And deep! At some places on the lake the depth finder on the boat couldn't even register. There are spots in Lake Powell that are over 500 feet deep. It's a little unsettling really.

-Answering the cell phone and having a little boy on the other end say, "Jeffrey here!" (The boys stayed home from this trip. I don't think Lake Powell would be a very safe place for them, there's just too much water).

-Playing games with everyone in the house boat at night. Good laughs, good times.

-Not having to fix my hair, wear makeup, or get dressed up for four straight days. Although, by the end I was really craving a shower.

-Spending time with Mike, Mary Kate and great friends in such an incredible place. What a vacation!

I took lots of pictures on this trip. There were too many I loved and wanted to post. The best way to share was to create a slide show. I even added some music. Watch and enjoy.



Thanks again Greg and Heidi. We were honored to be on your guest list and we're so grateful. We had such a great time. Thanks for the memories. You're very generous people. We love you.

Much thanks also to Mom and Dad, Dave and Lynette, and Emily and Eric for watching the boys. Without you guys we wouldn't have been able to have this experience. We love you too.

And last but not least, thanks to Brandon for dropping off and picking up Winnie from the kennel. We know for sure you're the only one around who could do it. Don't worry, she still loves you.