Great Stirrup Cay

Above, the Norwegian Sky with a tender boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last full day in the Bahamas took place at Great Stirrup Cay where we did some jet skiing. Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's private island.

This was the first time I jet skied since 2015 in Lake Havasu. 

To say that jet skiing on a lake is different than on an ocean would be a gross understatement. For one thing, along with wakes made by other jet skis, one has to also deal with ocean waves. The jet skis we used (Wave Runners) were more powerful than the ones used at Lake Havasu. I had to be careful when throttling, too much throttle would have the jet ski shoot from under me. I am guessing that the extra power these had were to compensate against ocean waves. I hit over 40 mph easily.

I held back from the rest of the group (7 jet skiers along with 3 guides) as I wasn't out to impress anybody. I had a guide with me. Mitch Geriminsky kept with the group. 

As we were heading back to the jet ski docks, it started raining. It rained very hard, making it difficult to see. Mitch had a hard time seeing and he hit a wave (or the wave hit him) and he flew off the jet ski. He lost his sunglasses when he went into the drink. 

The only photo I have of the jet skiing is from the website of the photography company (below). It is of me on the jet ski. I ordered a couple of photos and I will post them when they arrive. 

After we were done, I went over to a beachside bar and had a screwdriver (vodka and orange juice). That was refreshing. 

The jet skiing was on an island without docking facilities, so we had to be tendered to and from the Norwegian Sky. 

All in all, we had fun. But we'll stick to lake jet skiing in the future.

Some photos:

Above, a Starbucks cart. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a picnic area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, back on the Norwegian Sky after jet skiing. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Above, one of the photos I ordered. 

Above, aboard the tender. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Above, inside the tender. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly aboard the tender after jet skiing. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

More Whitewater Rafting Photos

Here are some more photos from my rafting trip down the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming.

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

Above, somebody's having a tough time floating down the Portneuf River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The drive today was a 200 mile round trip from Lava Hot Springs to the eclipse viewing site near Roberts, Idaho.

The trip up was easy. The return trip back was something else. The predictions were right that there would be a lot of people going into the eclipse umbra zone. Still, it was worth the experience. I should sleep well tonight.

Lava Hot Springs is a nice recreation town with water parks, hot spring baths and massage businesses. The Portneuf River flows through town and right next to the Lava Hot Springs City Center KOA (where I'm staying). I have a riverside campsite.

The town has the usual tourist traps, including restaurants, souvenir shops, bars and other places that draw tourists. It seems (not really) almost every business has river tube rentals.

I made my campsite reservations back in February. This place is nice enough to come to without the draw of an eclipse. I recommend it!

Some photos of the town:

Above, Greystone's Silver Grille. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the front of the City Center KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Chuckwagon Restaurant and the Wagon Wheel bar next door. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a place to enjoy a hot spring soak. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Blue Moon Bar & Grill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Dempsey Creek Trading Co., where I bought my "eclipse ring". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view down the main street of town. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the entrance to the Mineral Hot Pools. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the mineral hot pools. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Beast at the KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Portneuf River and the Pool and Speedslide Complex behind my campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

London Bridge Watercraft

One of the things on my "bucket list" was to try out jet skiing. Finally, I can now cross that off my list (although that's not stopping me from doing it again) as I went to Lake Havasu last week and rented a jet ski from London Bridge Watercraft.

London Bridge Watercraft is located on the banks of Lake Havasu at the Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. While checking for a campground to stay at, we found that Crazy Horse Campgrounds was the only campground with on-site jet ski (and boat) rentals.

While planning the trip to Lake Havasu, I contacted London Bridge Watercraft and reserved a jet ski to use all day while we were there.

The price for the rental was reasonable ($200), but keep in mind that customers also have to pay for the gallons of gasoline they use. At least gasoline was about $2.00/gallon cheaper in Arizona than in California at the time.

Above, London Bridge Watercraft's rental office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The jet ski we rented was a Kawasaki Wave Runner. It was easy to use and it handled nicely. Along with the jet ski, the price also included life jackets.

The staff was very friendly and they will walk customers through all the workings of the jet ski with all of the "how tos" that go along with it before allowing the watercraft to leave the premises.

The day before, we rented pontoon boat from them for a couple of hours. That, too, was a lot of fun.

Above, Denise and Aiden on the pontoon boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are several other jet ski rental businesses in the Lake Havasu area (they are mostly clustered on the canal near the London Bridge) to choose from. Since our experience with London Bridge Watercraft was a pleasant one, we wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

So, if you are thinking about going to Lake Havasu for jet skiing, I recommend London Bridge Watercraft.

My grade: A.

Crazy Horse Campgrounds In Lake Havasu City

Above, the beach area of Crazy Horse Campgrounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This was our first stay at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I have read other reviews and had a good idea what to expect.

Most of the reviews I've read said the campground is an older campground and could use some major upgrading and renovation. Those reviews were accurate.

Above, the boat and jet ski rental office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of the picnic tables are old and weather-beaten and need replacement.

We stayed at the beach ("I" section) and found that the sites were littered with trash and cigarette butts, which is inexcusable since there are plenty of trash cans available for use. The campground must be a draw to slob campers. The sites are in dire need of cleaning.

The beach sites have water and electric service only, no sewer. This is understandable considering how close the sites are to the lake. A holding tank pumping service is available (for $10). The pump truck stunk, so we referred to it as the "fece-mobile". (Yes, I know there's no singular word for feces. But what the heck?)

Above, our campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We didn't use the restrooms or showers, so we don't know what their condition is.

The pool (which includes a jacuzzi) area looked nice and clean and the store was well stocked.

Above, a view of the campground from the lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. Despite the trash and cigarette butts, we enjoyed our site location (just across a road from the beach) and would stay at Crazy Horse Campgrounds again.

It is, we found, the only campground with a jet ski and boat rental service on premises (I believe it is a separate business entity from the campground).

The camping fee was a reasonable $40/night.

My grade: C+.

If renovated and upgraded, the campground has a lot of great potential as its location is perfect.

Above, enjoying the lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lake Havasu Fun Times

Above, The Beast at the campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, I got to try out jet skiing for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I camped at Crazy Horse Campground (a review will soon follow) along the shore of Lake Havasu in Arizona.

Above, Denise and Aiden strolling the beach after jet-skiing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first day was muggy and hot due to the remnants of a hurricane originating in Mexico. But, on the second day, the air was much drier but still hot. But at least dry desert heat is more tolerable along with jet skiing on the lake to cool us off.

Above, the London Bridge from the canal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We arrived in Lake Havasu City around 2:00 p.m. We had a little difficulty in finding Crazy Horse Campground as there were no signs.  The campground is located on an island and we had to go across the London Bridge to reach it.

Above, yours truly piloting the pontoon boat with the wind billowing my shirt. 

After setting up camp, we took a walk to the jet ski rental office and we decided to take advantage of the late afternoon and rented a pontoon boat for a couple of hours (yes, they rent boats, kayaks and other personal watercraft).

Above, Denise and Aiden zipping along the lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We cruised around the lake and the canal to the London Bridge. It was interesting to see the famed bridge that was dismantled piece-by-piece and brought over from London, England to be re-assembled at Lake Havasu City.

Here's what Wikipedia says about it:

London Bridge is a bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, United States. It is a relocated 1831 bridge that formerly spanned the River Thames in London, England, until it was dismantled in 1967. The Arizona bridge is a reinforced concrete structure clad in the original masonry of the 1830s bridge, which was bought by Robert P. McCulloch from the City of London. McCulloch had exterior granite blocks from the original bridge numbered and transported to America to construct the present bridge in Lake Havasu City, a planned community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu. The bridge was completed in 1971 (along with a canal), and links an island in the Colorado River with the main part of Lake Havasu City.

Above, the jet ski rental office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The second day was spent riding the jet ski rental all day. I clocked in at 31 m.p.h. It was a little difficult to go faster as other people in boats and jet skis were leaving wakes in different directions. But, it all was good fun nonetheless.

We are thinking about going again next month since we had such a great time this week. Jet skiing is a lot of fun and addicting.