Here a canyon, there a canyon, everywhere a canyon canyon…geez. We left the Grand Canyon and headed to Lake Powell which is in Glen Canyon. Unreal. The best way to describe this little spot is to imagine a slightly smaller Grand Canyon with water filled in and a lake formation all throughout the rocks. This was a great treat, because you can get in a boat and just explore all over the lake…or in our case, rent a few kayaks and paddle. It was still beautiful and we had a blast, pairing up and wandering around this lake (across the lake). We all got a little bit overexposed to the sun, had a nice arm workout, and then later took in some pizza down by the marina for dinner. 

The back story to the little Grace Trapp video clip, is that she was ‘sharing’ her strawberry lemonade frozen dessert with her Dad. She thinks if she eats at a high speed she will win the battle of “I got more than you did”. I promise this video is not altered in any way. This is her natural overdrive. 

Our evening by the camper was refined, with jack rabbit hunting and a neighbor who’s exterior door light was a multi-colored strobe light (purple, red, green, blue, pink, yellow, white, repeat). 

Julie woke up early to see if anyone was not planning to use the boat they rented a year ago, and we struck out. Being the family that makes lemonade, we crashed the ‘resort’ pool at Lake Powell Resort and anchored down by the shaded cabanas poolside. Not too shabby. The kids had a ball, Julie and I got to read our books intermittently for about an hour, and we went back to the same little pizza spot for lunch (we ordered 'to-go' so as not to lose the primo spots we had secured). 

We left Lake Powell at 2pm or was it 3pm? This is actually on the border of UT/AZ and in a bit of a time warp. Apparently AZ does not recognize daylight savings time (go figure) so when that is in effect, it’s the same as Pacific. It was very confusing to our iPhones (and hence, in our dependence, to us). The time changed several times during the day, depending on which side of the line we were on. The resort clarified for us that they follow Las Vegas time. There you go.

We drove today (through the Four Corners) to Mesa Verde National Park where we will spend tonight and then head to Crested Butte via Montrose and (surprise...the Black Canyon). I think we will try a hike into the cliff dwellings and prehistoric Pueblo ruins within the park tomorrow. I can’t believe the month is nearing its end. I will try for another blog post before making it back to Alabama, but since we’ll be reuniting with family on Wednesday that might be difficult. 

If you are thinking of ever doing anything remotely like this trip, I would highly encourage you to do it. This has been a great blessing to our family, to spend a solid month on the road together. Someone said to me years ago (and I remember it, Carl Carlson) that to have ‘quality’ time with your kids, you have to have ‘quantity’ of time first. I am very thankful to have been able to have this quantity of time with my kids this summer. I know it’s unusual. Most of my best friends and family could not do this and I don't take it for granted. I really appreciate the team we have back in our Florence Merrill Lynch office that’s taken care of everything and stayed in touch with me on the road. I hope to return the favor for some of them. Even for Julie and I, it has been spectacular. We’ve been married for 13 years and this is the most concentrated time we’ve ever had. Granted, there have been 4 kids along for the ride, but it’s been a great adventure to share. 

The other gem for us has been more regular time reading our Bible and singing hymns. I have forgotten how sweet it is to regularly hear the voices of children singing beautiful stanzas (Amazing Grace, Come Thou Fount, Bless the Lord). We honestly don’t stop our days or nights at home in Alabama to sing and read as much as we should, but we do out here in the woods. It’s always been a constant in my life, being in nature and feeling more content with who I am in the world. I am also reminded of how powerful music can be. It quiets the hearts of kids after a full day and preserves a memory of a ride or a moment with more clarity. It gives words and a tune to life. It also reminds us that we do not live in a world that’s designed to revolve around me. I am thankful to have been reminded of that over these past few weeks too. 

I have to end with some RV humor. This was one of my favorite memories (if you could call it that)…and I even got a little photo evidence. The other night, the kids were enjoying the hot tub (I know…it’s another theme) and Grace and Annie came running up to me, giggling and pointing (rude). Grace said, “Daddy, that man over there is in the hot tub in his panties”. Well…for all you guys out there who think a speedo is very cosmopolitan, or worse, socially acceptable, please know that to most any 5-10y old it’s basically a pair of panties. There are a hundred other moments like this that happen…on the road.