DAY - 07: Fourth Day on Lake Powell

Day - 07: Monday, September 29, 2014

Beginning Location:    Anchored at Secret Canyon, Lake Powell, UT/AZ

Final Location:            Anchored at Friendship Cove, Lake Powell, UT/AZ

We were up a little later today, around 0600. There's a fair amount of sun this morning, the skies have a smattering of light clouds and the temperature is on the cool side. The colors are fantastic!

With a solid Dish TV signal, we were over-joyed with the news of George Clooney's wedding, stunned by the presidential mea culpa, shocked by the rainy weather and flash flooding in Phoenix as well as the air traffic control issues at Chicago, baffled by the Jody Arias re-sentencing trial, nostalgic about the Derek Jeter retirement and confused by the daily ups and downs of stock markets around the world, etc. Ain't news great!

With no rain in sight, the Boat #B-5 walkers hit the beach for a stroll amongst the rocks and brush.

Around 8 AM our new found California friends on the big blue boat departed apparently with vacation nearing its end.

As weather was showing signs of clearing we took our powerboat to Forbidding Canyon and the Rainbow Natural Bridge National Monument.



Sheila and I had been back to the "bridge" aka arch in 2001 so it would be interesting to look for any changes. In that the rocks had been around for 100+ million years or so, there probably wouldn't be much change in a mere 13 years other than a different water level.  We tied the boat at the monument boat docks and proceeded to walk into the canyon. After about a mile hike the "bridge" came into view. In looking at pictures from 2001, we had been able to see the arch from the boat landing so the water level clearly was lower this trip, perhaps by 30-40 feet.

September 2014

At the arch, we talked with a parks service ranger about the local history, the rock formations, etc. and even scored a dinosaur foot print and canyon wall etching.  After a hike back, we hung out at the boat landing downing sandwiches and chips before getting underway to return to the houseboat at Secret Canyon.

September 2001

Rainbow Bridge - 2001

Rainbow Bridge - 2014

Thirteen years apart, notice any similarities? Several rocks look to be the same.




Upon returning to the houseboat, we discovered a smell of propane; there was no logical source but after turning off the gas supply to the spa heater and furnace the smell dissipated and never returned. Just another boating issue to deal with, keeping us on our toes.

By midday we were ready to depart the anchorage and as such made ready for "sea". Anchors were retrieved and the power boat was secured. After a couple of rudder shifts and "all hands to the stern evolutions" we were off the beach and underway down lake.

For our last evening on the lake we choose Friendship Canyon at MP-35. It was a nice cove with a variety of beach landing options and with the high rock walls, well protected from gusty winds.

As the night was early we resumed our fishing and soon had a number of small "bait" fish on the hooks as well as a nice sized catfish. The fresh earthworms clearly were the bait of choice. 

Sheila Hooks A Walleye - September 2001

Dinner for tonight was intended to clean up the leftovers and other foods we had purchased but not used. We had chili, burgers, hot dogs, salads and other tasty treats. Did I mention the great frozen cookies?

We tuned in to the Monday night football game, a contest between the Patriots vs. Chiefs. In the end, it was a bad night for Brady & the Pats, and as such questionable for Sheila's fantasy team.

With firewood and starter logs still available, fire starter Jack was back on the beach loading the fire pit and igniting our mini-bonfire. Again we brought chairs to the beach and enjoyed the warmth, the camaraderie and the smoke. 

So as the last log burned and the embers dimmed, we closed out our final night on the lake, a new experience for some and a remembrance for others.