After I spotted a poor stranded Gila Monster, Rogil went into save-the-lizard mode and we all cooperated in the rescue operation. Gathering bits and pieces of scrap to try and help, Dennis' rope came in very handy. Rogil tied up a lasso that she dropped about 8' to the flotsam mat. Got him! The lizard did some foot work stepping out of, then back into into the loop and finally got reined in.
Here Rogil assures that the ensnared Gila Monster clears the cage and rails as Dennis continues lifting it from above.
Rather ignominiously roped around the hind quarters, the Gila Monster joined us on dry ground. Dennis is keeping a safe distance from the critter.
Another view of Dennis with his catch.
Here Rogil, the chief lizard wrangler, assists in loosing the final coils around its tail as the Gila Monster makes it's bid for freedom and the sanctuary of the brush. Rogil thinks it was just plain happy to have gotten out of that predicament.
And off it went >>>> leaving, no doubt, with some frightening tails to tell, but with a happy ending nonetheless.
It quickly made its way to the protection of the base of this bush.
AND... I think it was smiling at the good fortune it had that day.
Oh yes... the intent was to go canoeing... This is the irrigation ditch. Nice muddy water and the flow was quite high as well. We opted NOT to try this today, but keep it in mind as an end point for a future trip.
This old dam area has some interesting bits about it. Rogil heads back to recover the rope we'd tied the grate back with during the exciting Gila Monster rescue.
The old dam keepers house was probably here too. More interesting parts of AZ history.
This nice ridge was just upstream of the dam. There is an eye in the rock ridge near the left end of the ridgeline.
Venturing further upstream we stopped to check water conditions there. Guess what --- same stuff. Go figure. We did gain, however, info on where to put in when we do this length of the river. Flow was pretty quick here too.
Continuing on we looked to try the Salt River up near where it enters the Lake Roosevelt area. Same story -- red and muddy. We had lunch and then tried the diversion dam area just a bit downstream. An interesting stop, but not a place to paddle a canoe either.
Looking upstream from below the diversion dam is an interesting perspective on the area, along with the swoop of powerlines too.
This gives a better view of the dam area.
So, we looked at the map and picked a road that we thought might make it to the shore. We were successful. Launched boats and after a short paddle found a great spot to enjoy the lake. The water was quite warm.
We had a great time playing in the water.
Beached canoe and inflatable on the shore.
Rogil opted for peanut butter on a bun snack, while keeping the other buns cool in the lake.
Marion and Dennis showing fine recreational floating form.
Eventually it came time to head back to the cars. Marion and Dennis prepare to head back using their "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Sevylor Tahiti". One kayak paddle and one shorty canoe paddle apparently make for an interesting propulsion combination.
And here they are making way. A bit of wind and waves, plus the Sierra Ancha Mountains in the background with Asbestos Point showing too.
The weather really cooperated, especially since we thought we'd have a good chance of getting rained out sometime during the day. Nice clouds over the mountains.
Back at the original launch site, Marion and Dennis gingerly bring their inflatable ashore. Must be fun judging from the SMILE on Marion's face.
I guess that paddle can be used for jousting with gremlins in the path too.
Rather narrow in places, the road to the shore was sure nice to find though.
The cloud that we had seen earlier had blossomed a tad in the intervening time.
Another through the windshield shot.... making progress.
There's Asbestos Point again -- the white streaks down the mountain side just to the right of center.
This is the Salt River exiting the canyon on its way to Lake Roosevelt. We sure had a fun time, but did not end up anywhere near where we initially thought we would.
