The later part of our Vegas – Canyon – Powell trip was pretty much unplanned. Asking for directions to lake Powell standing in front of it, we must have been amusing other passersby on the Glen Canyon dam bridge. Somehow we followed a road alongside the lake that lead to this national park and ended at the Lake Powell Resort, right in front of Lake Powell. Luckily we got a room facing the lake – our best during this trip.
Most of the evening was spent relaxing from the drive and getting ourselves familiarized with the resort. Mishti could run after the hares, scattered around the resort in dozens, Rupali could munch and I could sip beers. In the evening we were finally able to enjoy aloodum and bread, our first Indian meal in 5 days. The resort people were kind enough to heat it when I gave them the ready to eat packet and mentioned it as ‘special diet’. It was a wonderful evening and what was in store for the next day was amazing.
We had booked ourselves on the 3 hour Navajo Tapestry cruise that leaves from the resort’s marina. After a nice walk along the shores of the lake and a quick lunch, we were set to board the boat. Walking quickly to grab the best seats on the upper deck, we realized that only a few were under a shade and most of these were taken by this big Indian family of 4 adults, one young adult and a child, from Phoenix. They were kind enough to make room for Rupali while Mishti was settled in her stroller contemplating between her favorite afternoon siesta, which she had so little of during this trip, and peek-a-boo games with the Indian family. What we had not imagined that the seats under the shade will be irrelevant as we would mostly be standing for the next three hours.
As the engine came to life, we moved to the first point, the Glen Canyon Dam. This was built on land once owned by the Navajo tribe. The US govt. exchanged 50,000 acres of land from them in 1957 to built this dam. That is when Lake Powell was created as a reservoir, the second largest manmade lake in the US. The boat then moved on to the Antelope Canyon winding through its narrow gorges on pristine green water. After each opening we felt that we may be heading for the lake’s periphery, but it went on with the gorges becoming narrower after each opening. The captain would turn off the engine and slow down the boat as there could be smaller boats and kayaks round the corner and also because it was easy to steer and avoid the titanic. As we entered deep within, we could sense the surrounded calmness. Fellow passengers were quiet enjoying the serenity. It was one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sights that we had ever seen. I envied the kayakers. If Mishti was not around, Rupali and I would have surely climbed on a kayak as we did in Goa a couple of years ago.
Moving towards Navajo Canyon, the rocks became darker and towering. Canyons were largely formed by erosion of water and wind and one can see the smooth rock surfaces as the boat passes by them. While passing a rock island, we saw kayakers perched on it. At other places, people were embracing the lake’s rosy sand beaches taking a dive or two or simply fishing.
All this while whereas most passengers were moving around the boat, clicking pictures with excited oohs and aahs, this Indian family was quieter. The women were sitting, chatting. The young adult – may be in his early twenties, was sometimes chatting or just sitting idly. One of the men was as excited as we were. Rupali and I were chatting leaning on the rails at the front of the boat and I told her that this Indian family was kind of sad , “They are not excited at all. How can that be?” Rupali added, “Ya, one of the man was telling the women, what are you chatting about, don’t you want to enjoy the scenery at which the women gave him a look and then resumed chatting” All this while, we did not realize that this man was standing just next to us. He immediately left. We realized the faux pas admitting that sometimes we can really be foolish to the core. However, we were not really sure whether he heard us. So I asked Rupali to go and stand where he was standing and then I spoke in the same pitch as while we were chatting. Rupali gave me a look. She could hear everything. Every word. I came back and stood near her. We were thinking that this family was so nice to us – made room for Rupali, played with Mishti and look at the way we were bitching about them. We were quiet for a while. Then we looked at each other and burst out laughing.
On our way back, the captain showed us personal houseboats ranging from a million to a few millions. One could rent those for a 1000 USD a night. Well may be we will come back one day. Kayak during the day and gape at the moon during the night on a house boat.
