Houseship #8

The computer says it is 09:17, but that is Eastern Standard Time. That makes it about 06:17 here in Utah on Arizona time. Go figure. The Navajos don’t recognize Arizona time, and Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Savings time. But Utah recognizes Daylight savings time and the lake is in Arizona and Utah. But all the marinas operate on Arizona time, even if they are in Utah. (I think) Then my cell phone keeps changing towers between Utah and Arizona, so I never know what time it really is. But then on this wonderful trip, we don’t care. We sleep when were tired, and wake up when we want to. I’m an early riser, so I monitor the sunrise and let everyone know when it is starting to get beautiful. This morning it is a little bit cloudy, and the sky isn’t as pretty as yesterday. But then isn’t as pretty here is still stupendous. We beached last evening in Rocky Creek Canyon amid a setting of buttes that looks like something out of the Roman times. Just above us is a rock formation that looks like an ancient roman ruin. Oh the sky just went fiery pink as the sunrise is on its way. It’s 0: something: 26. We were talking yesterday while exploring Navajo canyon: this day in age, there is no way the environmentalists would let them build a dam and flood a canyon like this. I am in favor of protecting the environment, but this is a whole other environment unto itself. Yesterday when Brenda and I scouted this landing location in the small boat, we commented, we might as well be on an alien planet. This place is that remote. We are in the middle of the desert on a boat. Sounds strange doesn’t it. It’s had to imagine what our forefathers found when they discovered this area. With the water, many of these canyon walls are 5-800 feet high. Without the water they would be like 1600 feet high. We keep looking up on the tops of the canyon walls expecting to see a Navajo raiding party preparing to attack us. Today, the hikers are going to take the small boat and head for Rainb ow Bridge, which is the largest natural arch in the world. When Glen Canyon Lake is full, you can boat to the arch, but with the current water level (90 feet down from full pool) it is a 1 plus mile hike to see it. Well everyone is stirring and it’s time to start the generator and make coffee.

Later...they all came back early because the weather report called for high wind warnings. They gassed up the small boat that took 21 gallons for our use so far. (@ $4.135 per gallon) We proceeded to double secure our anchors and batten down anything that could blow away. Our preparations were not in vain. The wind picked up to gale force and buffeted The Houseship far into the night. We cooked dinner and enjoyed the comfort and safety of our home away from home. We are staying at our anchorage tonight again and we will repeat the attempt to see Rainbow Bridge tomorrow.

More later,

Wes