I kayaked a half marathon

Rick's friend Bob puts on an annual kayaking trip down the Colorado River... many years ago Rick went with Mike Brewer on this trip and loved it, adn every year he has wanted to take us, but we just weren't sure if the kids were ready for the trip. This year, however, we decided we were ready!

We had to wake up at some ungodly hour (we actually saw the sunrise as we were driving to Boulder City) to meet everyone. We all drove together to the base of Hoover Dam, where we would be launching the boats. Seriously. TOTALLY different perspective of the dam from down there. That thing is HUGE.
Riley was rarin' to go! Rick and I had to carry down our kayaks (we each had a 2 man kayak: Riley and Rick in one, Violet and I in the other) and get them ready for launch.
And then we were off! Both the kids had to help us with the paddling, and they both did GREAT jobs!
Riley was a super paddler and helper!

Ricky looked so cute in his hat.
Tell me. WHAT is happening with my boob? How did I not notice this??
We had a few stops along the way to check out some natural hot springs (the Sauna Cave was amazing!), waterfalls, and more.
and I got to get a picture with Rick :)
The kids passed the time by blowing bubbles...

and we enjoyed the beautiful (although quite hot! it got up to 100 degrees!) weather...
My favorite stop was at Arizona Hot Springs. We hiked in a little ways toward a canyon and all of a sudden there was water on the ground...
And as we got in further, we noticed there was a waterfall!
The water was beautiful and WARM because it was fed by the spring... and the farther up you went, the warmer the water became.
Then we came upon a HUGE waterfall (over 12 feet high!) and had to climb a ladder to get up the falls to the hot springs and pools above. The water got warmer and warmer and kept going till it was downright HOT! Rick and the kids hiked all the way to the source of the spring where it bubbled right out of the ground! AWESOME!

After that hike, Riley was spent. He took a nap in the kayak while Rick rowed.
Amd Violet wanted to ride with her new favorite friend, Hannah. Hannah is Bob's daughter. Here's a picture of Bob guiding the girls into a cool looking cave...
and this was the last 4 miles of the trip... Bob with the girls just jabbering away about 7 and 8 year old girlie stuff! HA!
And me, in a kayak by myself, powering through the burn I felt in my arms.
The hardest part was the end... where we could SEE the docks where we would be stopping, but because the river was so wide at that point it just felt like we weren't going anywhere. And all I wanted to do was be DONE. And I did it... and I must say, I loved it. :)