Dam fun summer vacation

If you asked me on Monday what my last track break would hold I would have said nothing exciting maybe a little kayaking. Boy was I wrong! I came home that night and found out my industrious hubby (who had the whole week) had spent the day at REI figuring out what we needed to camp on the river.

On Wednesday June 10 we set out on our river adventure paddling up the Colorado River from Willow Beach, AZ mile 52. On the way up we stopped at our normal favorite spots the grotto and Emerald cave mile 54 for a little break.

This is Max taking off from Emerald Cave

On the way up Max alerted me to a bird on the wall it let me get within 5 feet I think it was a golden eagle. Unfortunately my point and shoot struggled with brown eagle brown grey wall and it did not want to focus.

With only one major break we made it to our intended camping spot mile 56 at Cranes Nest Canyon. From here you can see the Dragon’s Back rock formation. We were both feeling very strong and had lots of daylight left so we continued up river.

It was great paddling into uncharted territories for us. We were very happy to realize that paddling up the left side (thanks to those that helped us with that) made for a much easier paddle. We saw the bathrooms at mile 60 and the camp ground there were already people there so we continued up planning on camping at Ringbolt.

At mile 60 3/4 we could see the 61 marker we were deep into Ringbolt rapids and it proved to be to much for me, I was taking on lots of water and had to cling to a tree with Max’s help and bilge out my boat.

We spotted a spot across the river and this became our home for the night little did we know this was actually the camp sight we were looking for. We found an awesome slot canyon on our beach and explored a little before setting up camp.

After we set up the tent I started a fire while Max got dinner going and we grilled weenies over the fire thanks to my handy dandy weenie tool that Max hid in the boat along with other creature comforts like handy wipes, wisp tooth brushes, marsh mellows, Turtle Chex Mix (for that s’more feel,) and deodorant. He did a great job planning and packing everything while I was busy working and planning a fundraising even more about that later.

It was beautiful to wake up with the sun in our dome away from home (unfortunately I have to many pictures to post so the bed head ones are not going to make it!)

Our little camp site was perfect.

We enjoyed a yummy breakfast of dried egg burritos (really it was very yummy)

Once camp was packed back into our boats we headed up the river debating if getting to the dam was really a possibility. at about 61 1/2 we saw a boat that frequently travels up the river and asked how realistic getting the dam and back to Willow beach was today. He told us it was possible but they would begin dumping water around 11 (it was 10:30) which would increase the difficulty and that the winds were due to gust up to 45 miles plus coming up river (yikes not good.) We thanked him for his help and continued to paddle up debating if we should turn around, he came up to us and asked if we wanted a ride up. We took him up on the offer and traveled 2 miles the easy way. Turns out he travels the river by boat or kayak several days a week and gave us a guided tour on the way up. It was beautiful I took advantage taking pictures on the way up, I can't show most of them because it would show our mystery boater.

He dropped us just below the dam and we paddled the last little bit to 63 1/2 the Hover Dam.

DAM! It is amazing how big The Dam is from our little boats. We enjoyed the view for a few minuets before heading down river like everyone else does!

The bridge above Max’s head is the new road that is will make our trips to the river faster!

We stopped by a very cool hot spring near the dam where water gushed out or the wall like a hot water tap.

Just a little further down at 63 we enjoyed the Gold Strike Hot Springs thank goodness our awesome boater told us to climb up a bit we found the little pool that was just like a bathtub for 2.

My favorite picture of me from the whole dam trip = ^)

The water felt AMAZING on our tired muscles.

Between mile 62 and 61 we drifted down (the middle in the chop where the water would take us down faster a great tip we followed most of the way down the river) and listened to birds singing from all of the little holes in the walls. BEAUTIFUL!!!

Also on the way down we passed young big horn sheep drinking, sorry for the wonky angle we were in the middle of the river and I was trying to shoot and keep my boat in the right direction the winds were picking up and if I turned sideways the water would come into my sides, one of our stops down involved dumping my boat.

We took two breaks where we were going to camp and the grotto on the way down trying to beat the worst winds, we were not successful and hit hug waves 4-5 feet for the last 3 miles or so. We finally made it back to Willow Beach mile 52 safely and a bit tired for those of you doing the math that is about 20 miles in two days, like I told you it was DAM amazing trip with the best companion! After we loaded our gear we rested by the shore enjoyed some lunch and fished for about an hour before heading home.

*Sorry for so many picture I really tried to use as few as possible!

River Dog

A Post by Lucy the Wonder Beagle

Yesterday my humans loaded up their boats and put on their paddle clothes. I gave them my pitiful look and went to lay on the couch alone for the day.

Suddenly I heard a sound wait why does my walking buddy have the leash?

Oooooh oooh oooh I am going on a truck ride.

Then they took me to this big store (the boat store) and put this thing on me I looked like a lady bug we bought it and they told me I had my own PFD (puppy flotation device) I don't know what that means but I hopped back into the truck.

We went on a really long trick ride I was tired beagle surfing that far (riding on the arm rest.) We went over this big dam but they did not let me pee on it.

Finally I got out of the truck but I was to excited to pee there was this big water thing I went to check it out but first they put my lady bug vest on me. WHOA THAT IS COLD ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY???? With lots of coaxing they got me in the cold water and I did feel a little cooler, it was weird I floated.

Lu tried to get me into this big yellow and orange thing, with a little help I got in.

Next thing I knew we were moving! Look Now I am really a beagle surfer!


Every time I got splashed I tried to back into Lu she was muttering something about needing to paddle between the laughter while Max kept asking if I was okay "I was great the wind in my ears and so many new things to sniff!"

We paddled up a little way and they let me out to check things out. So many things to sniff I tried to climb a rock wall but Max saw a tail and freaked out something about a snake (it was a really a big lizard that they would not let me chase) I had so much fun in this spot I even wondered out for a swim.
After a bit they tried to get me back into the boat I stood firm on land but Max picked me up by my handle (hey who puts a handle on a dog?) We paddled into the fast windy area with waves that were splashing me it was so much fun I jumped out for a swim. Lu was laughing really hard and Max paddled really fast saying something about rescuing me. Then Lu picked me up by my handle and I climbed back into the boat, I was cold but it was fun.
On the drive home I was still really excited but kept falling asleep. When we finally got home I snuck into the bedroom and made myself a nest out of the comforter. I was too tired to jump onto the bed. Max found me sleeping in my hiding spot.

It was a great day to be a beagle stay tuned for more beagle adventures!

Willow Beach

This weekend we made it down to the river (it had been since last September.) On Sunday's there are no boats allowed that combined with lots of "Dam" traffic we got down to Willow Beach late in the day, this lead to a very quite paddle we only saw 2 other people the entire time! While the winds were strong blowing up river making the water rough and the paddle down river very difficult it was still an awesome evening doing what we love, together! I can'twait for many more paddle up river this year!

The view from our favorite little rest stop (it is so hidden we have never seen anyone else there!)

Max and I paddling back as the day was ending!
Me in the cave

The setting sun up river these were small swells, there were a few times when I hit a wave 1/2 my boat would come out of the water.

The constuction of the Dam bypass bridge, it is so pretty but hard to capture while driving whopping speeds fo 3-5 mph!

Cool Moon

We went kayaking May 10th in the evening. As we were paddeling out from our favorite spot we were struck by how low the water was. We padled over to a new spot of land and enjoyed a picnic dinner then fished for a little bit. As we were cleaning up Max pointed over the mountain and asked "what is over that mountian." I looked at the glowing light he saw and replied "the dam" just then the moon rose over the mountians. My little point and shoot does not do it justice but it was so huge, bright, close and AMAZING. It was a very special moment to spend together on the water and as the moon rose it just kept getting better!

The land mass closing off this cove was below water on April 18th!
Peeking out

A little shaky but you can still see the pretty rise

The moon has risen

Big horns

On Saturday we went paddling and slowed down to take a break when we looked to the bank I was shocked to see a great big big horn sheep getting a drink very close to me. I tried to grab my camera as fast as I could out of my gear bag, and the water proof bag needless to say I was not able to grab it quick enough although I did almost succeed in tipping myself. When I finally got the camera out I was able to take a ton of pictures as we observed them for almost an hour. As we sat there watching these amazing animals about 8 of them I was reminded what a great choice we made with the kayaks versus a boat. So many boaters passed by speeding along and did not even see these giants eating and playing along the riverside.

Moments like this make me want to drag me big camera along but the little one is the smarter choice.

There are sheep in this picture can you find them?
WOW look at that balance her can lick his bottom perched on a rock!
Look at me I am beautiful!
Max noticed this guy coming down a ravine and I quickly headed that way we had a stare down for about 10 minutes.
Here he is watching me closely as I got out of my boat to cool down in the water.

Remember
SLOW DOWN AND WATCH THE BIGHORNS!

More Fun on the water (2 trips)

Max and I headed out to Willow Beach on the Colorado River and headed upriver for a nice long paddle today. We had so much fun exploring a few little inlets , and delighting in the fact that we were paddling on the river . One of the highlights of the trip was making it to Emerald cave, isn't it pretty ! We both were getting tired and decided to turn around. Max set the GPS to record our mileage home. When we got to the truck the mileage showed 5.78 miles WOW that was one way. BUT when we went to the little store at the Beach the lady told us Emerald Cave was 2.5 miles away. No way it had to be further when we got home we discovered we had gone about 3 miles each way for 6 or so miles total. Well the 11 miles was impressive but frankly so is the reality of 6 miles.
**ALL OF THE PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY MY HUBBY ON HIS CAMERA PHONE.**

Me in the mouth of Emerald Cave

Emerald Cave it was so cool to sit inside and watch the poat pass by wishing they could get inside!When we got out of the boats we looked up to see a heard of 6 big horn sheep (man I wish I had my big camera with me.)
This pictures is from 2 weeks ago at Canoe Beach while fishing
Sunset at Canoe Beach