I mentioned yesterday that we were going off script today. Here's why---the officially published itinerary for this trip states that we would be going on a breakfast boat ride on Lake Powell. However, the water level in the lake is very low, such that big boats like the one we would have used are not allowed out.
Thus the alternate plan: rafting the Colorado River. We knew this before the trip started, but we didn't know much about it going in. This is an older group, and many people were concerned, thinking it would be tough rapids (rapids are numbered 1-4, easiest to hardest). I've done river tubing, but never rafting, and this was an interesting adventure.
After picking up a box breakfast, we left the resort at precisely 7:10. It was only about a 15 minute drive to the headquarters of Wilderness River Adventures, the outfit giving us our ride down the river. We got off our bus, and got onto theirs, but not after going through security not similar to TSA, except we did not have to take off our belts or shoes; we did have to empty our pockets and walk through the scanner.
Amongst ourselves, we asked why this was necessary, but did not cause a scene. Soon thereafter, we were in a two mile long tunnel next to the Glen Canyon Dam, the creator of the second largest man-made lake in the US. The first is Lake Mead via the Hoover Dam. It is extremely dark in the tunnel, and is wide enough for two cars, or one bus. Thus, we had the tunnel to ourselves.
Upon disembarking the bus, we donned hard hats incase something fell from the dam, but were relieved of them upon getting on the rafts, which is more like a small open-air boat. Powered by an outboard motor, the boats are very safe and have enough room for 25 people. Water and lemonade was provided, and could bring any snacks or food we like.
Our group was big enough that we had two boats, and for the next three hours, we motored down the 13 miles down the Colorado, including going around the world-famous Horseshoe Bend. We did make one stop for a quick break, finally ending at Lee's Landing, where our bus driver Lee (no known relation) picked us up in our own bus to head back to Lake Powell Resort.
Along the way, we made a stop at the local Super Walmart (they have those here, too) to pick up supplies as the second half of the tour is heavy with meals on our own (not included in the tour price). Upon return to the resort we were on our own time until breakfast tomorrow morning.
The resort is composed of many hotel rooms across 8 buildings along with a few rentable houseboats docked at the marina. There are two pools, a restaurant, and access to several other amenities. I will be coming back here, it is beautiful country, and as I mentioned yesterday, it is a great place if you just want to do nothing, or if you have a book you want to work on writing.
After putting my groceries away, I grabbed my book, The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe and headed out to the the big pool, which does not seem to be heated, as the water was freezing. It was also very breezy. But it was a nice break, and I finished the book. Truth be told, I read 90% of the book on the flight into Phoenix, it is that easy a read. This would be a problem as this is the only book I brought with me, but I bought a book yesterday: In The Hands Of The Great Spirit: The 20,000 Year History Of American Indians by Jake Page. This looks like a really interesting read.
Tomorrow, we head north into Utah for the next two days. It is going to be great!
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