Lake Powell Poem

This was written by Nancy Bowling, a guest volunteer on Trip #10.


“The Trash Trackers’ Trek”

One day while sitting in school,
Received e-mail from my sister ‘bout something so cool.
She said, “Let’s clean graffiti from the wall,”
“Or pick up trash where people let it fall.”

I talked with my son and said, “She’s crazy.”
“I like my vacation quiet and lazy.”

But then in February, early in the day,
We got on the internet and made our play.
We got lucky and hit the spot,
Got the “Trash Trackers” – a gig really hot.

So off we went in the middle of June
To Lake Powell in Utah, the time came so soon.
We donned our gloves and Tevas brand new,
Met our captain, Jerry; his wife Claudia, too.

They smiled at us and shook our hand,
Then told us the rules so we’d understand.
They said we’d work hard; we knew that already.
But hearing them say it made our hearts quite unsteady.

Then we met Gizmo, the dog on the boat.
He was our mascot, on him we did dote.
We had to work; he wanted to play.
He entertained us at the end of the day.

Hours later as we traversed the calm water,
The sun moved high in the sky; it got hotter and hotter.
We then docked the boat, tied up everything tight,
Ate a good supper, and then said good night.

Early in the morning we had to get up,
We were ready to work after our first coffee cup.
We picked up paper and broken glass, too.
We all felt so proud when our work was through.

But then we saw our very first fire pit.
We looked at it in horror and said, “ Oh ------darn it.”
This is what we came for, to clean up this place.
So we tidied it up with a smile on our face.

We continued to pick up cans, bottles, and sticks,
And even firecrackers stuck in the tamarisk.
At the end of the day we were so tired but still happy
That we left at least one place so clean and not crappy.

The “Eliminator’s” not a boat but a barge.
It’s not too little and not too large.
It’s just perfect for the trash we collect.
From all of the people who cause such neglect.

Now J 13 was an interesting lot.
They wanted their privacy; Jerry said, “Absolutely not.”
So then they decided to leave us alone.
And moved their houseboat to a place of their own.

A few days later, whom did we see?
Our friends from J 13 jumping into the sea.
The look on their faces when they saw The “Trash Tracker”
Was funny and priceless; it gave us such laughter.

Then off to Rainbow Bridge with all its power and might.
Ranger Chuck shared its story; what a magnificent sight.

As for Ranger Chuck it was easy to see.
His hero’s Teddy Roosevelt; he loves his history.
Chuck quoted so many things Teddy said.
How does he keep it all in his smart head?

Then on to Dangling Rope we went.
It was such a tiny place where the river is bent.
As a marina it can’t be beat.
We even had some of their soft serve ice cream to eat.

Then we saw the Hole-in-the-Rock.
Where the Mormons came over; if mountains could talk.
They’d tell the tale of how the families were driven,
To start a new life; to have a new living.

One night while watching the stars,
Captain Jerry told us ‘bout some Alaskan bars.

A sour toe cocktail is what you need.
It’s a little whiskey and a real toe indeed.
“If you swallow the toe,” Jerry did say,
“You’d pay a big fine---on the way out you would pay!”

Well, the lake’s a little cleaner, we’re happy to say.
And back home to Maryland, we’re soon on our way.

So Karen and Charlie, Mark, and I,
Say thank you Lake Powell and this is why.
You gave us the chance to do something neat.
We hope to come back soon to have a repeat.

Thank you Captain Jerry; wife Claudia too.
You kept us on task, took care of us too.
Your friendship we’ll value for a very long time.
We hope to see you again, in your home or mine.

July 5, 2010



Nancy,

A BIG "Thank you" from Claudia, Gizmo and me.