FUN Random Weekend

Thursday afternoon I got a call from my mom asking if I wanted to go on a kayaking/camping trip down the Colorado River. We would need to leave that evening. Turned out that a trip one of my mom's friends goes on every year had 2 people cancel. It was already paid for so it would basically be a free trip. So I cleared it with Jason and packed as fast as I could. Derek went to Jason's parents for the night since he goes to work so early in the morning.

My mom and I headed to Bullhead City, Nevada to stay at a hotel right on Lake Mead. We met the group of 40 the next morning at 6:30 am. The kayak company picked us up and dropped us off at the base of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River side. Turns out we were taking canoes and not kayaks. I've kayaked a lot, but never canoed. I couldn't believe a canoe can hold 2 people, 2 ice chests, a tent, chairs, food, sleeping bags, and clothes. I thought we would sink! We started our journey down river against a strong head wind. It was so tough! The friend we went with told us in the 12 years they've been doing this trip, this was definitely the hardest they've ever had to work. We stopped along the way to our campsite for some hiking and site seeing. There were amazing hot springs, and I'm serious when I say hot springs... sometimes the water was so hot it was unbearable. There were cools caves that had formed stalagmite's and stalactites of salt and minerals. After a LONG trek down river, getting caught in rip currents, trees and rocks, battling the canoe so we wouldn't tip, we finally arrived at the campsite, Arizona Hot Springs. We were so relieved we made it. We camped 2 nights on an air mattress that deflated, not to mention when we opened the box it was a twin and not a queen. I've camped before, but I've never been so uncomfortable! But it ended up being so much fun! Our campsite had an awesome hike through a canyon with lots of waterfalls and more hot springs. The friends we made were so fun. One guy had his guitar and sang by the campfire. It totally reminded me of camping at Lake Mead with the Robinsons all those Summers when we were growing up. I definitely was wishing Jason had been there too. Next year were going back with my dad and Jason for sure! The trip down river to where we got picked up was so much better! No strong wind, no rapids! We tied about 8 canoes together and made a sail. We booked it down that river, even leaving a wake behind us! It was a weekend to remember for sure!

The start of our trip at the base of the dam



Enjoying a VERY HOT natural hot spring


Some beautiful scenery


Conquering my fear of the tall waterfall ladder


My mom having a shower


Some more rowing


Our home-made sail boat


My mom hiking down an awesome canyon that had such hot water we didn't want to even stick our feet in it


The entire group... who were all so friendly and fun!


Me and a few of the girls I spent the weekend with


So happy to be back where there was a real bathroom and lots of shade!