Paradise on Lake Powell

Our family had been planning this trip for a year . . . one week on Lake Powell in two 70' houseboats. My sister Kathy's client, Forever Houseboats, went out of their way to ensure the perfect accommodations. After a two-hour orientation, we were on our way . . . even though gusts of 55 mph winds were forecast. Luckily, only the first day was windy. Days 2 through 7 were ideal. Warm sun, calm waters, good fishing, refreshing water for swimming and time to party!

We even had a wedding to recreate. My cousin Jim and wife Lisa eloped to Napa Valley recently and we spent one evening recreating their vows and offering blessings for a beautiful life. We all felt blessed to be included in this houseboat ceremony.


Before getting on the houseboat we took a tour with a Navajo guide into Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon is cut through red sandstone and thousands visit each year. At night, mice climb the steep walls and owls swoop through to pick them off! If a thunderstorm threatens, tours into the canyon are cancelled in fear of flash floods.


View of Reflection Canyon from the top deck of the houseboat.


Our 70 foot houseboat was the ultimate in comfort, with full-sized kitchen, four staterooms with queen beds and TV in each room, hot tub, ice maker, bar and slide from the roof to the water.


We trailed three kayaks behind the Avon inflatable and had many enjoyable excursions into side canyon to view indian ruins and steep, red sandstone walls.


Red, blue and yellow! Very mellow!


Carol and Joan out kayaking.


One of our anchorages in Oak Canyon. There are Moki steps (made by indians) on the red sandstone formations above the camp site.


We trailed the Avon inflatable boat behind the houseboat and used it to take excursions into side canyons. This trip into Secret Canyon was narrow, ending in a box canyon.


The group: Cousins from the Browner family (10 on our boat) and the Himmes family (9 on their boat). George and Nancy, Margaret and Don, came all the way from Chicago for this trip.


We were blessed with a beautiful sunset following a brief storm at our final anchorage. The top flew off the hot tub and Phil and cousin Tom had to rescue it with the Avon.