Temple Bar Marina to Granite Cove, Lake Mead, Oct. 28
We woke up at daylight to get an early start and get off the launching pier. As we pulled away from the dock, a coyote went loping across the concrete launch pad and gave us a curious stare, wondering what on earth this funny object in his territory was. Chris told me we would be motoring at low RPMs most of the time on lake because there is a break in period for the new motor and he was hoping to get a lot of the process done before heading south to San Carlos, Mexico.
Motoring away from the dock I was delighted and excited. The motor was so quiet compared to the old one and the pitch was much lower. It was easy to talk with it running and we later determined it used profoundly less gas than the old one even though it was 30% more horsepower. Just goes to show you sometimes one needs to spend money to save money.
It felt really good to be on the water again. I so love the feeling of the gentle rocking and wind. A flock of Grebes lived in the lagoon where the dock was and our departure caused them all to fly off to the side across our bow. They leave a strange wake on takeoff. They need a lot of room. They flap their wings and madly run on top of the water leaving little water spouts where they walked. It was a very strange sight. They all went across our bow even though often the shortest distance out of danger was in the opposite direction. It took me a while to figure this out. These are really neat birds that I’ll talk about later on another day.
Motoring away from the dock I was delighted and excited. The motor was so quiet compared to the old one and the pitch was much lower. It was easy to talk with it running and we later determined it used profoundly less gas than the old one even though it was 30% more horsepower. Just goes to show you sometimes one needs to spend money to save money.
It felt really good to be on the water again. I so love the feeling of the gentle rocking and wind. A flock of Grebes lived in the lagoon where the dock was and our departure caused them all to fly off to the side across our bow. They leave a strange wake on takeoff. They need a lot of room. They flap their wings and madly run on top of the water leaving little water spouts where they walked. It was a very strange sight. They all went across our bow even though often the shortest distance out of danger was in the opposite direction. It took me a while to figure this out. These are really neat birds that I’ll talk about later on another day.
The vista in front of us as we motored up the Greg Basin, the former course of Colorado River, was that of the massive, amazing rock temples in front of us. We couldn’t help staring as we passed. The angles on the structures were so precisely 90 degrees, it was virtually impossible to believe they were not man made.
We made our way up the basin checking out each cove amazed at the rock formations. There was a white bathtub ring all around the land where decades of being underwater washed off the natural varnish on the rocks. At the top of the ring, you could see where the varnish on the rocks that had not been under water was dripping down over the white rocks.
We made our way into Burro Bay. This bay had several arms and as went back into one of the arms, we caused more Grebes to take flight. As they took flight, I saw a golden eagle swoop down and chase some of the Grebes. It missed some, and then caught one running down the rocks. We watched as the Eagle killed and nibbled its prey, and as we got closer, it arched its wings over the prey in protection. We had mixed feelings. We were honored to be able to see such a beautiful sight, but at the same time, we felt guilty for being the cause of the Grebe’s death. We know it is the circle of life, but it was still disturbing.
The arroyo we were in was beautiful. Narrow, with lots of green trees at the end. I looked longingly at the water. It seemed the perfect place to swim. Back and away from the main course of the river, the water was warmer. I was hoping to be able to return and swim.
We made our way up the basin checking out each cove amazed at the rock formations. There was a white bathtub ring all around the land where decades of being underwater washed off the natural varnish on the rocks. At the top of the ring, you could see where the varnish on the rocks that had not been under water was dripping down over the white rocks.
We made our way into Burro Bay. This bay had several arms and as went back into one of the arms, we caused more Grebes to take flight. As they took flight, I saw a golden eagle swoop down and chase some of the Grebes. It missed some, and then caught one running down the rocks. We watched as the Eagle killed and nibbled its prey, and as we got closer, it arched its wings over the prey in protection. We had mixed feelings. We were honored to be able to see such a beautiful sight, but at the same time, we felt guilty for being the cause of the Grebe’s death. We know it is the circle of life, but it was still disturbing.
The arroyo we were in was beautiful. Narrow, with lots of green trees at the end. I looked longingly at the water. It seemed the perfect place to swim. Back and away from the main course of the river, the water was warmer. I was hoping to be able to return and swim.
We exited the arm and the bay and continued up Greg Basin checking out the coves as we continue to the end of the navigable portion. Entering Spring Cove we motored over to check out a deep cleft in the rock. Because of the change in the water level, this 20 ft. wide fracture was revealed.
Chris thought it was very mysterious so we motored in to see a lovely small sandy beach. Exiting was a challenge as there wasn’t much room to turn around. However, the new Tohatsu motor was up to the challenge and we turned on a dime.
Around 3 o’clock we decided it was time to look for a place to anchor for the night. It is a strange feeling having dark at 6 o’clock. While up in Canada it often didn’t get dark until 10 pm. We feel like we are losing a significant part of the day, but I want to be at anchor with plenty of time to get dinner and dishes done before dark.
We motored into Granite Cove and set the anchor toward the end of the arroyo which was pretty expansive. As Chris is want to do, he inflated the dinghy and set out exploring, climbing over the arms of the bays. Of course we forgot to make sure he had the walkie talkie in case he got into trouble, so I worried a little bit as I prepared for dinner while he explored. Thankfully he made it back safely with beautiful pictures for us to share.
In all of that day we only had one fishing boat share that whole portion of the lake with us. That evening, though there were some clouds, the stars we could see in the bright moonlight were delightful and of course seeing the moonlight on the canyons and rock faces was spectacular.
Chris thought it was very mysterious so we motored in to see a lovely small sandy beach. Exiting was a challenge as there wasn’t much room to turn around. However, the new Tohatsu motor was up to the challenge and we turned on a dime.
Around 3 o’clock we decided it was time to look for a place to anchor for the night. It is a strange feeling having dark at 6 o’clock. While up in Canada it often didn’t get dark until 10 pm. We feel like we are losing a significant part of the day, but I want to be at anchor with plenty of time to get dinner and dishes done before dark.
We motored into Granite Cove and set the anchor toward the end of the arroyo which was pretty expansive. As Chris is want to do, he inflated the dinghy and set out exploring, climbing over the arms of the bays. Of course we forgot to make sure he had the walkie talkie in case he got into trouble, so I worried a little bit as I prepared for dinner while he explored. Thankfully he made it back safely with beautiful pictures for us to share.
In all of that day we only had one fishing boat share that whole portion of the lake with us. That evening, though there were some clouds, the stars we could see in the bright moonlight were delightful and of course seeing the moonlight on the canyons and rock faces was spectacular.