Lake Powell - Part 1

OK as promised here is a recap of our fabulous vacation to Lake Powell in July. First off, it must be noted that I have changed my tune about the desert. Having grown up in the high desert of California with its vast tumbleweeds and Joshua trees, I never understood what people were talking about when they said the desert was beautiful. Lake Powell is actually more of a chaparral than a desert but chaparral is a close cousin to desert for these purposes and I am here to tell you this area is stunningly beautiful.

Mark and I left San Diego in the evening after work and drove to Yuma, AZ for the night – about a 3 hour drive. Smart move for us who hate the heat to travel through the Imperial Valley after dark. Not much to see or look at but I was fine with my new laptop power source so I could listen to an mp3 recording of Dorthea Benton Frank’s “Plantation” . I wanted to read this first before diving into the sequel “Low Country Summer” which just came out at the beginning of the summer of 2010. While Carolyn, Tripp, Frances May & I giggled together (and drove Mark nuts, by the way) I also knitted my way through the dark landscape.

Yuma was having a cool spell when we arrived only 90^° when we arrived at 8:30pm. Off to the Olive Garden for dinner and a little air conditioning. The motel was pleasant and we settled in after our dinner. Up early the next morning with a quick stop for me at the gym to work off the pasta from the night before and then to was time to hit the road.

We had no idea how close Phoenix was to San Diego. We made it to Phoenix from Yuma in less than 3 hours. I must confess my only experience with Phoenix has been on layovers on a Southwest flight to and from San Diego. Have made note of its proximity and will definitely explore this city again, just not in July. Time to turn north and head towards Flagstaff and the Arizona/Utah border.

By 4:00 we had made it to Page, AZ which is the gateway to Lake Powell. Page sits right on the border with Arizona and Utah. We have done a massive Costco run in San Diego already but still need to get more of the perishables in Page before picking up the boat tomorrow. We found Jim & Peg and Thom and Sharon in the parking lot at the Lake Powell Resort which will be our “camping spot” for the night (read last real bed for 5 days). Later we all hookup with Mike & Sue and it’s off to Super Walmart in Page for the rest of the supplies.

We pick up pizza, head back to the resort and enjoy the first of some very great “Peggy cocktails” on the shores of Lake Powell as the sun is setting. The anticipation is killing us.

After a great night’s sleep, we meet up and the guys decide they need fishing licenses. Now mind you there are thousands of people swarming around the lake, yet these 4 manage to find the only clerk in the area that can’t figure out how to issue fishing licenses. Not to be deterred we decide we can’t miss our appointment at the dock and forgo the licenses for now in favor of getting the boat out onto the lake.

They have the loading of the boats from the cars down to a science at the dock. Our wonderful guide, Andrew (how can you not love a boy with that name) was so helpful with his ATV sporting a 3-bin trailer to haul 4 carloads of stuff from the parking lot to the dock.

The food alone probably took at least two bins – and let’s not forget about Jim and his 6 pounds of bacon!

So here we are boat loaded, sunscreen on and 8 anxious people ready to go AND – the boat won’t start!

Takes them an hour or so to figure out it’s a bad battery so we get it switched out and proceed to the fuel dock. The boat is like a rental car – they give it to you with a full tank and you need to return it full. The difference is there is only one place to get gas and it’s about $3.75/gallon and the boat holds 300 gallons! Like Jim says, “you can’t play if you can’t afford to play”. Good news is because of our delay from the bad battery the rental place has credited us with 100 gallons of fuel! Sweet!

Off we go! 8 people setting out on a 5 day adventure! Stay tuned!

A New Day A New Job!

OK so I know I still need to post about the vacation. It was absolutely FABULOUS! Exactly what both Mark and I needed. Tomorrow marks a new first for me. For the first time in nearly 12 years I am starting a new job! I can hardly believe it. I am still with Ameriprise and still have the same role I have always had but now will be commuting 20 miles north up to Scripps Ranch and working for a new advisor.
It all started earlier this year when Tim (my present boss and Ameriprise advisor) decided he was moving to Washington. This was shocking news to say the least. Tim has been in California since 1989 and up until very recently had thought he would stay here until retirement. This worked out nicely for me as Tim is just about my age so our retirement times would have coincided perfectly. Fast forward to last summer and due to a layoff for his wife, Michele and the current crisis state of the economy in California for small businesses, Tim decided to relocate to Washington, closer to Michele’s extended family and a state with no income taxes. I told him I thought he was nuts. This is a man that likes to golf all year long. I wish him well and know that we will stay in contact in the future.
Just prior to going on vacation Tim and I talked about when would be the best time for me to start seeking out a new position. Tim will have his office in San Diego open until the end of the year but I am the type that likes to have all my ducks in a row well in advance. Just as I was about to polish my dusty resume, I got a call from an advisor, Carl, that I have known since staring with Ameriprise.
As luck would have it, Carl’s associate has left and Carl needs a replacement. Carl confided to me that before he knew about me looking for work, he said to his wife, “wouldn’t it be great if I could find someone like Gaye?” I’m not sure which was better about this job hunting endeavor, the fact that I went to the “interview” in summer slacks and sandals or that Carl continues to tell me how lucky HE is to have hired me.
Probably the biggest fear for me when I found out Tim was leaving was the thought that I would never find someone as kind and considerate for a boss. Tim has been the best boss I have ever worked for, however Carl recently told me that he is striving to achieve with me what Tim and I have now.
In this era of high unemployment and dismal job prospects for so many, I cannot begin to express how lucky and grateful I feel.
Here’s to a new chapter in my working life . . .