Day 65 : August 30 ARIZONA TO UTAH
The view from the RV Park down to the Colorado River was still as beautiful in the morning as we remembered, so we drove the short distance down to Lee’s Ferry where the rafters take off for tours lasting anything from a couple of days to three weeks. The group we met and spoke with were heading off for 14 days and had a fantastic array of equipment, both safety gear and obvious provisions.
Then it was time to go and we headed through the settlement of Marble Canyon and down US89A towards Jacobs Lake (where there is actually no lake!). The sky was becoming quite hazy with smoke from the Californian fires – the first time we had seen much sign of them.
Our drive through the Kaibab National Forest was interesting – the ‘forest’ at first comprised nothing more than scrubby growths, then as the elevation increased, we came across medium sized bushy pines and then the majestic Ponderosa pines which we have seen in many parts of the country. The drive across the Kaibab Plateau took us through gently undulating country and then we stopped at the Le Fevre Overlook for a look across the plains below, only to find that the view was mostly obscured by the smoke.
Our route into Kanab saw us arrive by around 12.30pm to be met by our contact for the Area, Dean Dysart and his good friends Norm and Sandy Kerr. Norm and Sandy kindly offered us space to set up the RV and access to power to allow the computer to run for several hours to catch up with correspondence and notes.
We were invited to join in a farewell dinner for mutual friends of the Kerrs and Dysarts who had been holidaying in Kanab but were heading back home to California. Allan and Carolyn decided instead to catch up with some housekeeping, but Ron and Kerry were happy to accept this kind invitation and enjoyed a great camp oven dinner. As has been the case everywhere we have been, the hospitality was exceptional.
We were thrilled when Dean offered us the opportunity to join him and his wife Diane on their boat for a day on Lake Powell on the following morning. We had read about this lake in the brochures but had never expected to have the chance to see it, so were very happy to accept.
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| Preparing for rafting the Colorado River |
First time rafter ready to go |
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| Perfect rock formations out of Marble Canyon |
Perfectly Balanced rock |
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| Sign says it all |
Le Fevre Overlook - views obscured by Californian fire smoke |
Day 66 : August 31 UTAH - ARIZONA - UTAH ( Rvs)
Dean Dysart arrived early to attach his boat which was housed at Norm’s place to his pick-up and he and the men headed off to the lake. Diane Dysart meanwhile had collected lunches and came to pick up us ladies. The trip to Lake Powell took something over an hour and then the boat was in the water and we were off for a great day’s adventure.
Dean knows this lake and all its coves and crannies extremely well, and soon we were at the point, nearly 50 miles from the start, where boats are able to tie up and people can take the two thirds of a mile walk to the Rainbow Bridge. This magnificent attraction is the largest natural bridge (nearly 300 feet tall) in the world and is only accessible by boat. Two different Indian tribes introduced Europeans to this bridge back in 1909 after a five day horse ride to reach the site.
In 1956 construction of a dam on the Glen Canyon was commenced and was supplying sufficient water for the first two generating units at the power station built at the dam site by 1966. It was 1980 before the dam first reached it full capacity and now provides water storage and power generation, as well as recreational opportunities. There are many houseboats moored at the lake and good facilities for those who use the lake regularly.
The opportunity to have a short swim at any given time in the pristine and relatively warm waters was wonderful, even though the day was not overly hot. Allan gave us all a thrill when he not only attempted, but succeeded to master water skiing after a gap of some 20 years since his last experience. His first couple of attempts gave us all a good laugh, but soon he was up and away.
Soon the day was over and we will have to rely on the very many photos taken of the majestic scenery to remind us all of just how beautiful this lake really is.
A shared pizza dinner back and Dean and Diane’s home was a perfect end to a perfect day and we are extremely grateful to them for their kindness and friendliness.
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| Dean Dysart with trekkers at Rainbow Bridge |
Rainbow Bridge |
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| Icecream time |
Othes enjoying the Lake and the houseboats |
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| Sharing the waters of Lake Powell |
Allan's great achievement |
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| The Dam Wall at Glen Canyon. |
Late afternoon at the Lake |
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