After a relaxing night, we awake to a view of Lake Powell
out our balcony:
Yes, this is going to be another good day! Amy had a nice
run, she actually ran all the way to Utah! I got organized and a couple of
hours later, we packed the car and walked to the lobby to check-out.
We were
pleased to learn that we got the time right and the boat would not leave for
another 45 minutes or so. We passed the time with a friendly chat with a couple from
Britain, Erik & Rosemary. After learning that Erik had a lighting fixture
supply company, whose customers included many in Europe, I took a risk and asked him how he felt about Brexit. We
continued on from that to briefly discuss Mr. Trump. Suffice to say we were
sympathetic with one another. We had similar distaste for our current national governments.
The call to board the boat came and Amy and I walked down
the long ramp to the Lake. The cruise was fascinating. Glen Canyon Dam was
built to stabilize the water supply for the southwest. The guide described the
effort as creating a big water bank. In some years (of drought) the water level would
fall (withdrawals), other years, the level would rise (deposits). The level once got so high that water
spilled over the top of the dam (that level is the top of the white “bath-tub”
ring you see in some of the pictures). They don’t let it go that high anymore.
We cruised around Antelope Island, which was not an island
at all until after the 17 years it took to fill up the Lake once the dam was
complete. One side of Antelope Island was the Colorado River channel, two sides
adjacent to the Colorado were creeks emptying into the Colorado. The last side, which
made it an island, was a section of land between the two creeks where a gap,
below the eventual water level, was lower than both the mainland side (away
from the Colorado) and the middle of the new island. We got to see many interesting
features on the cruise. (In the following, that's Antelope Island in the foreground.)
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| Tower Butte |
Do you know the difference between a Butte and a Mesa? A
butte is taller than it is wide. A mesa is wider than it is tall. Do you know
how to remember which is which? Mesa is Spanish for Table, which is usually
wider than it is tall. Cruising around Lake Powell was very comfortable. The
temperature away from the Lake must have been in 80’s, but the lake water is
very cold. I was glad I wore my long pants! The views from the Lake were
beautiful and interesting. The guide explained the Navajo Tapestries (chemical
staining along the sides of the Canyon). This being the Canyons Adventure
cruise, we went up a couple of the canyons. Interesting to hear the boat’s horn
sound when about to round a canyon bend, to warn any kayakers that a big boat
was coming along and they needed to get out of the way.
Towards the end of the two and a half hour sail, we got
close to Glen Canyon Dam & Bridge:
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| Glen Canyon Dam & Bridge |
After the cruise, we had a relaxing lunch at the grill.
After lunch, we hit the road for the Grand Canyon (146 miles). We retrace
our steps back to the turn-off to the Vermillion Hills. Instead of turning
right onto 89-Alt to re-cross the Colorado, we turn left onto 89, breathtaking
scenery all the way.
Along this patch of road, Amy hears from the third of our three kids wishing her well: Happy Mother’s Day!
At the turn-off to the Grand Canyon, we continue to climb.
Along this route is a Native American Park on the Little Colorado. Actually, I
should say it is on the chasm created by the Little Colorado, which was dry at
this time.
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| Little Colorado River Gorge |
The Little Colorado River gives us a taste of sights
to come! We finally entered Grand Canyon National Park. The first
stop was the Desert View Watchtower, where we got our first glimpse of
expansive canyon views.
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| Amy at the Railing at Desert View Watchtower |
Another 25 miles found us at our stop for the next three
nights: the El Tovar Hotel:
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| The El Tovar Hotel |
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