AUGUST 2014 SUNRAYS | 39
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Cruising the Deep Blue
Submitted by Bob & Diane Ricklefsen, N13
On May 24, we drove to Paige, Ari-
zona, and rented a houseboat on
Lake Powell for one week from the
Wahweap Marina. After registra-
tion and orientation, our family of six
boarded the boat. We had plenty of
food, water, ice, swimsuits and fish-
ing equipment.
Prior to leaving, my husband passed
an exam earning the Utah Boating
Safety Education Certificate. Our
son surprised him with an official
Captain’s hat on the boat.
The weather was beautiful as we
cruised the deep blue waters. Nearly
2,000 miles of shoreline embraced
the Glen Canyon Dam’s reservoir and
spectacular red sandstone canyons.
We used a guided map and followed
buoys for direction.
Our 48-foot Navigator houseboat
was fully equipped with all modern
conveniences. The upper deck pro-
vided much fun as we stargazed,
sunbathed, slid from the slide, and
viewed God’s creation. We cooked,
ate, played games, swam, blew bub-
bles, built sand castles, fished and en-
joyed boat rides on our 19-foot speed
boat. Even though we were not suc-
cessful fishermen, my grandson and
I fed popcorn to many large stripers
and carp while stopped at the mari-
nas for fuel and waste deposit.
Initially, we experienced daily crises
as we learned about the houseboat.
We ran upon a huge underwater rock
and could not move—thank goodness
for radio assistance and the small
tugboat that got us cruising again!
At the end of our journey, everyone
had a wonderful time. No wonder
Lake Powell has richly earned the
designation of Nature’s Playground.
Bob Ricklefsen in his official Captain’s hat.
Up at Big Sky
Submitted by Chuck &
Pam Pannell, N53
Chuck and Pam Pan-
nell rented a condo in
Big Sky, Montana, for
the month of July to
escape some of the
summer heat! Here
is the whole family at
Lone Mountain. Their
trip included a tram
ride to the summit of
Lone Mountain (the
boys were so excited
to see snow!), zip lin-
ing on the mountain,
and a day in Yellow-
stone National Park.
