Summer Lake Fun (and the drive home)

We spent Tuesday through Saturday at Apache Lake. On Tuesday we arrived in time to set up camp and relax for a bit before darkness fell. Wednesday we were up pretty early, ate a quick breakfast and headed out on the boat. Cory took the first try on the wakeboard, didn't get up, but maybe another time. Andrew seems to be a natural on the wakeboard. No effort needed to pop his little body out of the water. He likes to one hand it and still is learning how to control the board. He rides "goofy-foot" like his dad (left foot forward instead of right- his dominant). Rachel goes next and is a bit excited/scared. She needed my help in the water to get set up. She pops right up like Andrew, but isn't ready to stand up so she just squats her entire ride. I take a turn and was very happy to get up on my first try (I think I'm finally getting the hang of it after 3 seasons). My goal this trip is to get myself back into the wake since I can get out just fine. Didn't get up the courage to do it on Wednesday, will try again Thursday. The rest of the day was spent avoiding the heat/sun in the shade and water and doing some tubing.

Thursday we slept in a bit, but still got up earlier than most of the boats. Rachel and Andrew joined us in the morning (Cory prepped for almost being a teenager by sleeping in). Norm got the first run on the glassy lake. I went next, took a good faceplant spill when I caught my edge. It took me a few minutes to recover, but I went at it again. I got the courage to take on the wake and got in, but couldn't keep my balance and crashed. One more run, but no wake this time, I quit on my own time. Rachel decided she wasn't up for wakeboarding, but Andrew jumped right in. He had a few good runs and is attempting to go out of the wake without falling. Finally we headed back to camp to find Cory up and wondering if his family was ever coming back for him. We picked up Cory and headed over to the marina to pick up some ice and treats for the kids (Andrew had earned his by wakeboarding). Cory and Rachel eventually earned theirs by giving the wakeboard another try. Cory took a turn on the skis- his personal favorite. He smiles the entire time he's out there. The Smith family had arrived during Tuesday night and that afternoon the kids had a fun time hanging out in the water with them. More tubing in the afternoon and I think Norm got in a few more runs on the wakeboard himself too.

Friday we slept in really late. More wakeboarding for Andrew, Norm, and I. I even crossed back into the wake without crashing- YEAH! Tubing for all. A nice day overall- a bit overcast in the am, but it didn't last. That afternoon we spent with the Smiths at a nice shady cove to beat the heat. Dinner and bed. Very hot that night- it really didn't cool off much like the last few nights.

Saturday's plan was to get up early, wakeboard a bit, then head back to pack up camp and leave before the serious heat. Norm got his runs in. Andrew went too. I went and got up the courage to try crossing back into the wake again. I did it a few times, then figured that I should be able to cross out the other side and did it without crashing my first try! I did the whole thing a few more times just to make sure it wasn't just luck. Happily it wasn't. I'm hoping that our next trip I can still do it and keep improving. After Rachel and Cory decided that they didn't want to wakeboard or ski, we headed back to pack up camp. Did a quick job and headed home. Little did we know what adventure lay in wait for us

Just outside of Superior, AZ one of the tires on our boat trailer blew out. No problem, we have a spare, right? Well, it was flat, so after unhitching the boat, we head back to Globe where we (when I say we, I mean Norm- All thanks go to him for being out in the hot sun working hard) fill the spare and head back. After getting the spare put on, we're on our way again. A few minutes later (about 5-6 miles) the spare blows too! What to do- the Jeep spare wouldn't fit or we would've used it. Thanks to having some survice on my cell phone and internet we find out that the closest tire repair store is in Apache Junction. We unhitch the boat again and head out. Got to the tire center just about 2pm and I noticed that they were bringing in their display tires- are they closing?? Luckily the manager was happy to take our $$ in exchange for 2 new tires & one new wheel. I think the employees worked double time so that they could get out of there for the day (they were closing up when we pulled in). Got some lunch for the family and headed back to the boat. Norm sets to work chaning out the tire again. Just as he's about done a highway patrolman stops to help. The patrolman surpervises and Norm finishes the job. We arrive home safe and sound 8 hours later. 4 hours longer than the trip should've taken. Thankfully there were no injuries or damage (except for the tail light on the trailer that got busted by the first blow out).

(For pictures see Facebook- my battery died on Friday, so no pics of any of the Saturday fun)