Kathy and Andy... two beautiful people, inside and out. We are so glad to call them our friends. Thank you for sharing time with us in your "little bit of heaven on earth". Summerplace II provided us with another special memory to add to the many we already share. Thank you!
Summerplace II
View from the stern of Summerplace II.
The girls check out the galley. It looks a lot like a kitchen to me.
Monday we headed out for our first lake adventure with captain Andy at the helm.
We traveled over the blue water of the Colorado River ready to explore Forgotten Canyon.
Marlene and Kathy were on watch at the bow.
There was always a lively and informative conversation with Professor Gil. Along the way we were instructed by Gil on the feeding habits of the elusive and ancient Rock Pecker bird that has eaten holes in the side of the river cliffs.
We made a right turn into Forgotten Canyon and went right on up to the ancient Anasasi petroglyph site.
Andy skillfully maneuvered the boat through the shallows and right to the doorstep of the petroglyph site.
We slipped into the warm knee deep water and...
...looked for the safest and most direct route to the base of the tallings to view the ancient graffiti.
After a brief climb we reached the wall where we were warmly greeted by the ancients.
Professor Gil found a rare rock at the site.
We took a moment to smile for the camera, look at the view and then find our way down the cliff, through the water and back into the boat.
Blue skies, warm air and friends made this an unforgettable experience.
Down the cliff. It reminds me a lot of getting to some of our humanitarian project sites.
We waded through the water, and were met by Andy and Kathy where they were patiently waiting for us to return. We each climbed back into the boat, ready for more adventure.
Kathy is always there to make sure we are safe, comfortable and well cared for in every way.
Andy and Marlene were privileged to have their picture with the professor in his ancient ruins hat.
We went down the river a little ways to the swimming hole.
We climbed out of the boat and got into the cool, comfortable water. Get your best spot for a good view of Gil and Andy, descendants of the ancient Anastasi cliff divers.
They bravely scaled the rock cliff and stood on the edge of a 140 foot cliff, (139 feet of it underwater) poised for their spectacular diving exhibition.
Gil did a perfect 3 1/2 forward in pike position. Sorry I didn't have a movie camera to catch the full beauty of the dive. As a great team player, Andy gave Gil the right amount of push to start the momentum of this dangerous dive.
Andy followed with a beautiful triple reverse in tuck position ending with swan dive in layout position. He cut the water on entry with barely a ripple.
After the diving spectacle and a little more swim time we were ready to move on to the next new sight and experience.
Again, Andy whisked us through the canyons and over the water with skill and confidence that only years of experience and a few mishaps can bring.
We saw many canyons up close and took in their beauty.
Thanks again, for sharing the beauties of Lake Powell with us... it was a spectacular day on the water!
When we returned to the houseboat where we enjoyed food, games and talked of the adventures of the day. All in air conditioned comfort and surrounded by dear friends that share many common humanitarian experiences from our Middle East service.
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