Canyon Lake Ski Trip

8-02-2010- Canyon Lake Ski Trip
We were invited by my Firefighters Local to Canyon Lake for an evening barbecue so we thought, take the boat and a little skiing would be in order. The lake is contained by Mormon Flat Dam. Its beauty is enhanced by the surrounding high cliffs and the occasional views of the Bighorn Sheep scaling the rugged cliffs. Being this late in the day we didn't spy any of the Bighorns but certainly enjoyed the view.
Sly at the wheel motoring up the canyon.
Taking a cool swim checking out the rock formations.
The girls taking over the helm while I was on my swim venture, "Humm, Should we leave him or not?"
Sheri enjoying the cruise on smooth water.
A little ski time for Sly up the canyon.
Sheri hitting the water for ski time, "Brrrrr.. This water is cold!" With Canyon Lake being deep and narrow the water temp is cooler than the other local lakes.
Lex cutting on some nice water.
Spray time.
With the sun setting our ski time was being cut short but we enjoyed every minute of it. Now it was time to barbecue with friends and tell stories. What an awesome afternoon and evening!

Thank you Lord for the beauty of your creation.

Have a Blessed day, Sly

Kayaking the Salt River

8-01-2010- Kayaking the Salt River. Up at 8 a.m. heavy cloud cover, occasional sprinkles, humid, breezy but this wouldn't keep us from a leisure float down the Salt River. For today our designated transporter, Sheri, would deliver us to the river. The Yaks' were loaded into the truck with all our gear, water and snacks the priority as Lex would say! Twenty five minutes from the house and we were unloading on the river about a quarter mile below Stewart Mountain Dam that holds Saguaro Lake. From here we would Yak down to Phon D. Sutton where the Salt River and the Verde River come together. Here Sheri would pick us up after about a three hour float.

Lex contemplating our float. The water flow was slow today with all the rain over the last couple of days. So water demand was down for the farmers for irrigation needs. That meant a little more paddling than normal.
We're off! With no glaring sun we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
It was quitely eerie on the water, very calm, lots of wildlife and no huge crowds for a Saturday.
I never get tired of the view of the mountains along the upper portion of the river.
Getting ready to go under Bush Highway at the Blue Point Bridge.
The Salt River Recreation Boys working the river. Logan B. on the right one of Lex's forever friends. Yes they do get paid to float the river.
Today was one of those days we encountered the wild horses from the Indian Reservation. We saw several small groups of them today with a few new young ones.

The little philly in the middle was pretty frisky!
Sly below a large overhang in the Coons Bluff area. In the 70's Hollywood filmed a couple of Westerns in this area. As a kid I would hangout out here often with my best bud's Bobby S. and Rick C. we did a lot of cliff jumping and swimming in this area.
Red Mountain from the east side. another quarter of a mile and we were at Phon D. Sutton. We had a three hour paddle and float, saw some awesome sights, enjoyed the beautiful weather and had a great father daughter day on the river. Special thanks to our transporter Sheri, you were great, and thanks for lunch.

If you get the itch and want to Yak, give me a ring!

God Bless, Sly