Finally getting around to Labor Day.

Over Labor Day weekend, we went to Flaming Gorge with Ron, Sandy, and their son, Taylor. I know, I am really behind in my blogging, so hang tight, I have a lot to say about this trip. We had such a great time, and Taylor was a great model for most of my pictures. Personally, I think he liked it. Good thing he is very photogenic. And a good sport!

We spent most of the weekend in the boat. If it wasn't watersports, it was sight seeing or scubadiving. Mostly sight seeing. We went through Horseshoe Canyon several times. I must have taken a thousand pictures of the scenery. This is where I publicly admit that I love landscape photography. L-O-V-E it. I am addicted. Have been for years. I am beginning to think I need a 12 step program to deal with this problem, but thankfully, digital cameras can easily handle high volumes of needless photos that I will someday delete for more hard drive space on my computer. And before you give advice, yes, I do have external hard drive space. I just tend to fill things up quickly. I mean really, who needs 12 shots of the same sunset when you can have this:

Ok, Zeus, if you have to go, now is the time! And, of course, I took multiples of this, too, just in case one didn't turn out. You just can't miss an opportunity like this one.

On one of our tours, we took the opportunity to check out the bridge. Pay careful attention to the ominous clouds overhead. We didn't.

Here we are, hanging out underneath. We were able to watch a few people jumping into the water from underneath the bridge. Apparently, I am the only one that thought we were more interesting than the jumpers. And, yes, I have about 20 pictures of the bridge. Some are really cool, and I would post them if it was at all interesting to anyone but me. I just don't have that kind of time or space on my blog. Lucky for you! Pay attention to how dry and comfortable everyone is at this moment. It won't last long.

Remember those ominous clouds? Well, being the adventurers that we are, we were totally oblivious to the fact that it was getting darker and darker every minute. The clouds were moving in, and we were too busy enjoying the scenery. On the other side of the hill behind us in the picture above, is the dam. We drove over to check it out when the mother of all rain storms began.

First there was a clap of thunder, and just like in the movies, rain instantly began to pelt us in our tiny little boat. The fact that we were looking at a little island called "Gilligan's Island" started becoming a bit too realistic. Here we were, in our little boat, when the weather started getting rough; The tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of my handsome man, the Amber Waves would have been lost! Ok, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but it was plenty wet and wild on the lake at that point. This is what it looked like after the rain had stopped:

I wanted to get pictures of the rain pelting down on us, but unfortunately, my camera was not water proof. We huddled down under our tiny bimini top and prayed that we would somehow stay protected. Riiiggghhhhtttt. Wishful thinking. It's hard to stay out of the rain when it is coming at you sideways.

We hid under towels and jackets until Doug could drive us out of the rain. Then we took a minute to have a good laugh. We were completely soaked, not to mention the towels we had to wring out.

That being said, it was nothing to how wet Doug was. I felt so bad for him, we all hid while he drove, and I'm not even sure he could see. He had water streaming down his face, and pelting him right in the eyes. He grabbed his sunglasses at some point, but by the amount of water dripping from his eyebrows, I'm not sure it did him any good. I've always said he was my hero. Here's the thing that made me the most nervous: Doug put on a life jacket. (Pause for effect while this sinks in....) The man can hold his breath underwater for almost 3 minutes, and frequently has to save his scuba students, yet when I looked up after things calmed down, there it was. Even after all the rough water, THAT was the scariest part. I can't tell if that face is because he was having fun, or if he is just relieved.

While everyone went scubadiving, Miriam and I hung out in the boat. Miriam was playing in the water, and I saw a great opportunity to take pictures of the divers. We realized that the water was clear enough to see them as they explored the lake. I'm not sure who this is, but it was fun to watch them. You can see their bubbles, and then a yellow tank with black straps. When I took the picture, I wasn't sure you would see anything. Turns out, you can see more than I did when I took it. It's just too bad you can't see everything when it's this small.

On Saturday night, there was a city celebration happening on the lake. They decorate boats with lights, then drive them around the lake. After that, there are fireworks that you can watch while you sit at the water's edge. The coolest part was how they reflected on the water. I think I missed most of them because I was too busy with my camera. Like I said, I have a problem.

We spent that evening around a campfire. We had smore's, and laughed at old memories of childhood. We were with Doug's sister and her family, and her best friend's family, as well. It was such a great evening. I can't even find anything to make fun of. Maybe we didn't do it right.

There was so much fun on the cliffs. The kids had a blast jumping from them, and I just had to have a picture of them, but Miriam was a bit angry that I made her get out of the water to take a picture. She just refused to smile. Moms are so mean.

I also took way too many pictures of everyone jumping into the water. I had so many fun photos, but had to pick just one to post. So many pictures, so little space. Out of gratitude for Taylor posing for me, I chose to post my favorite of him. He has some serious hang time.

Then there is Doug. He drove the boat the entire weekend, saved us from becoming the remake of Gilligan's Island, pulled us around the lake on the tube, made water runs so we could take a shower every day, cooked dinner for me, played pirates with us, and was generally one cool dude. Oh, how I love my handsome man.

We had a great time with our family. These are the times that you realize how grateful you are for the incredible people you get to be around. The more I spend time with them, the more I love them. You would think that I would take more pictures of these people because they mean so much to me, but, alas, I can't get rid of the urge to photograph the world around me. Even in the dark.

You and me goin' fishin' in the dark....

This summer Doug has really used his boat. He has kept everyone busy by taking night fishing trips every chance he can. In June, we took my sister, Vauna, and her husband, Mike, out for their first night fishing excursion. Unfortunately, for Doug, this is the position he was in most of the night: Fish wrangler.

You see, we had somehow forgotten to bring a net to facilitate the removal of fish from the lake and into the boat. This is when we talk about the prodigious skill of my handsome man. He spent the whole night reaching over the side of the boat and actually throwing the fish into the boat once they were reeled in. Notice how everyone conveniently moved away from the fish-flinging danger zone?

Mike had a great time. I'm sure you couldn't tell. He hides his emotions with great skill, doesn't he? It's one of the few times that I actually saw his face. Secretly, I think he is just excited to have an excuse to wear his head light.

Usually, every one is turned to the outside of the boat, staring into the dark. The only time you have a chance to speak to someone face to face is when they are baiting a hook, or they are taking a fish off of their line. That looks something like this:

You have to remember that this is about midnight, and out in the middle of a lake, there isn't a whole lot of light. When the flash of a camera goes off, you are temporarily blinded. You have to give instructions that should they loose the ability to see what they are doing, they should freeze where they are. Not a good idea to move around on a boat when you can't see.

Poor Miriam. I took a picture of her, and she was starting to wonder if her eyes really would return to normal (She looked right at the camera). Hint: When taking a picture of your daughter in the middle of a lake in the middle of the night, warn her first. Even if she is so freakin' cute.

This is where the story finally gets interesting. Well, OK. Maybe not interesting, but at least it's more humorous, at least to my strange sense of humor.

A few nights after this trip, we took my sis-in-law, her husband, and one of their sons on a night fishing trip as well. We had a great time. Doug was busy, as usual, but this time we remembered the net. He was much drier.

At one point, I caught a fish, (not my first of the night,) and Doug grabbed the net to help me out, leaning his own pole against the window. Just as he is helping me bring in my fish, his pole jerked, and then disappeared over the side of the boat. He ran to the other side of the boat to give a last-ditch effort to save the pole, but all was lost.

It is important to note at this point, that we had been harassing my brother-in-law, Kent, for bringing an extra pole. We thought he was paranoid, or that he got bored easily, or just couldn't make up his mind until the last second. Maybe he was just really attached to his fishing poles. It was at this point we had to eat humble pie, and ask to borrow the pole. He was most gracious, and obliged.

Doug baited my hook, (Thank you sweetie, I hate smelling like powerbait.) and I went back to fishing. Doug was finally getting a chance to fish for himself, and mourning the loss of his pole. It was then that he mentioned he had been using MY fishing rod. I had forgotten that we had swapped in the beginning. Dang. I liked that pole.

Meanwhile, Kent told an unbelievable story about a friend he was fishing with that also lost a pole overboard. When they went to leave some time later, they pulled up anchor, and there was his pole, and the fish that stole it, wrapped around the anchor line. We chuckled about that, and tried to feel better.

About half a minute after I dropped my line in the water, I felt another fish. I couldn't possibly have caught another one already, could I? Wow, what skills I have. Just call me "Mighty, Mighty Fisher-woman" from now on! I called to Doug to tell him that I had another one on my line, and he was stunned. I think he thought I was making it up, just to harass him. Then he saw the fish on the surface of the water.

He grabbed the net, and ran to my side. He reached in, and pulled out my fish. And another line. And another. Suddenly, every person in the boat started yelling, "I've got a bite!" It was complete chaos. Doug and I were laughing. Then suddenly, he was yelling at everyone to stop reeling in my fish! Somehow, my fish was tangled in everyone else's line. I pulled up one fish, and 5 other lines were hanging from it.

As Doug untangled everyone, he realized that there was an extra line. He pulled. Then he pulled some more. Suddenly he shouted "No way!" He pulled up out of the water his missing pole. That's right, folks! On one hook, I caught one fish, 4 people, and a lost fishing pole! Doug's fish had gone in circles when it was caught on his line, and wrapped all of the lines together in a big tangled mess. Didn't I say I was a "Mighty, Mighty fisher-woman"? You didn't believe me, did you. I wouldn't either, except this really happened.

I now have proof that it really happened, and isn't just a fish story. If you could see the picture better, You would see all of the lines that remain in the tangle that Doug was cutting away. Just in case anyone needs further proof that this really happened, I took a picture of the offending fish:

There it is, and notice the look of delight on Doug's face. He was very happy to have caught the culprit, and also to have back our favorite (OK, maybe just my favorite) fishing pole. Maybe he was just relieved that he wouldn't have to suffer the wrath of a ticked-off wife who no longer had her own pole. It's red, and I like it. We've been through a lot together.

Miriam caught the biggest fish that night, so of course we had to take a picture. She is turning into a Mighty, Mighty Fisher-gal herself. I'm proud of her for catching it, but mostly for standing there, holding it, while I try to take a picture of her in the dark again. This time she knew what was coming, and recovered quickly.

This is the final total of the night. Let's just say that we had fish for a few meals, and I am getting better with cooking ideas. Doug is polishing his filleting skills, and I must admit, he does a mighty fine job. Maybe that should be a Mighty, Mighty fine job. I guess we are a Mighty, Mighty family, now.

A three hour tour....

This month, Doug got a new toy. He loves it, and if I would let him, he would probably sleep in it. As it is, he takes every opportunity to hop in and play. We have had a few boats over the years, and Doug is so excited to have one again this summer. Last summer must have been too depressing for him without a boat.

Here is the weirdest part for me. He named it after me. That's right, ladies. It's official. I have become an idol. Aren't you jealous? You, too, could drive down the road advertising your name to all who see you. Won't you be proud as you look out the window at the people pointing at you, and rolling down their windows to ask if you are indeed the famous Amber in question? Even better, you could wear a name tag, and wave at them as they drive by. How many do you think will catch on?

As if it isn't enough to put it on the side of the boat, it has to be on the back as well. Darn Quickutz machine. I knew he would get more use out of it than me. All of the guys that have seen it, think it is so cool that he named it after me, and I have to admit that it is very sweet of him. I feel very loved. However, I am thinking that if I were a betting woman, I would take bets on how many people ask to see my fabulous waves. I better start practicing now, right? Maybe I'll just give myself a perm. Get it? A permanent wave. Hahahaha. I know, I am hilarious. You love me for my sense of humor, I just know it.

Last Friday, Miriam had the day off of school, and Doug doesn't work on Fridays now, so we took our wave machine out on Utah Lake. Doug just couldn't stand having a semi-warm day and letting the boat sit in the driveway. Off we went to take her on her maiden voyage. We got to the lake, and it was a beautiful day to be there. I thought we would have a fabulous afternoon riding around with the wind blowing our hair into our eyes, when I thought, "I must have looked at the flash from the camera reflecting off of something, I have a weird spot in my vision."

About 5 seconds later, I realized that I had a migraine coming on. I had some Excedrine Migraine with me, so I tried to take some. The problem was, I had been out in the wind, and my mouth was as dry as cotton. I couldn't get them down. Within a few seconds, we all realized that we needed to head back in. What an adventure, huh? I'm warning you, people. Don't ever take me anywhere without a portable pharmacy and water bottle in tow.

To make things even more difficult, the impeller went bad on the boat, so it was overheating. We took it in to get it fixed, and now everything is right with the world. Doug can continue to smile and dream of waterskiing and performing the perfect "Jacque Custeau" dive entry from his latest toy.

Even though things went haywire, we still had fun on our first boat ride of the year. Miriam had to feel the water to see if Mom and Dad really were telling the truth about the water being cold. Sorry, sweetie. It is still too soon to get in the water. Gotta wait another couple of months for that.

A three hour tour.

Here is what happened: We had been thinking we would go to the boat show last weekend. We are actually in the market for another boat. Nothing expensive or flashy, just something we can spend time with family and friends on. We miss that, now that we don't have a boat anymore.

Wednesday evening I was pulling into the driveway after scouts, and I rolled down the window to say "Hi" to Doug as he was walking to the front porch. Just as I rolled down the window, the DJ came on the radio to announce that the 10th caller would win boat show tickets. I told Doug to grab his phone and call. He pulled it out of his pocket, and actually had it on speed dial. Who'da thunk it? He was caller 3.

We went into the house, and he continued to call, but got busy signals over and over. We had a conversation about our day, talked about some scout things he said he'd help with, and then he called again. It rang and rang and rang. We continued to chat. He asked me if I thought he should stay on the phone, I said, "Why not? It won't hurt." In the middle of saying something to me, they actually answered the phone and told him he was caller 10. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was stunned. Why can't those things happen when you can win something really good?

We went to the boat show and had too much fun looking at boats. It made me feel like spring might actually come, especially with all the snow we have had this week. It amazes me that they can fit so many boats in the building, and they are soooo close together. This boat was the least expensive we could find that night. That made it a winner for us.

Doug found a bunch that he wanted. The one he was really interested in can't be fitted with a wake board tower, so that was eliminated. As if we could afford any of them, anyway. Miriam had fun touring the houseboats and checking out the view.

She loved this boat. It looked cool, and she thought it would go super fast, so we took a picture of her with it. I think she would rather be in it, instead of underneath it, though.

Dad gave her the nickname "Skeeter" years ago, so of course we had to take this picture. She liked that it was sparkly, too.

Seeing that Doug and I are both graduates of AF high, we are grateful that someone is looking out for us. Go, Cavemen! Here is the proof in red, white, and black (school colors!):

We also saw some wakeboard demonstrations that were fun. Ok, to be truthful, most of them were the same stunts over and over, but one of the last ones was cool.

This boat had my vote. There was one down the aisle that had a TV on the passenger side, and I thought it would be great for kids when they have had enough, but it was in the way of the view out the front, and who needs a built in tv on a boat? You are out there to get away from that sort of thing. Besides, Doug would probably put one in, anyway. I would rather go for this one. Ahhh, someday.

We also saw some great choppers. I wish I had taken a picture of one that looked like a snake, but didn't think about it at the time. Very cool! I loved this one, too. It was airbrushed in black, but it definitely made me see things in red, white, and blue. Doug is a huge fan of motorcycles, and it seems to be rubbing off on Miriam.

We invited Erlene and Grant to go with us, and had a fun night. We seemed to get there at the right time, just before it got very crowded. We ate dinner, and had a fantastic time dreaming about warmer weather. I want to go again. Spring fever, anyone? After all was said and done, we finally found the boat we could afford. Too bad the kids wouldn't get out of it for us.

Any one up for a ride in the S.S. Mini-Minnow? Just for three hours or so, we'll be back before dinner. Right, little buddy?