Our time in Mesa was growing short, but we still wanted to go on the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake. We had been on the Desert Belle on Saguaro Lake in 2004, but hadn't been on this one. Canyon Lake is the second of the four lakes on the Salt River. Going upriver from Apache Junction, the lakes are Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, and Roosevelt (the largest). These lakes provide water for the greater Phoenix area.
We decided to go on the early cruise on March 7th. It was a perfect day to go -- bright and sunny with a few white clouds. The ever-present vultures were soaring along the cliffs and there were a few ducks swimming in the quiet areas. We entered the canyon and soon our captain announced that there were some mountain sheep on our right. He had previously asked us to refrain from all running to one side of the boat; he would turn the boat so everyone could see. Well, the mountain sheep were
w -- a -- y up high, looking like tiny white dots. Using the binoculars brought them into view and we could even count them. It was a large herd, about twenty, standing as if they knew they were being watched and photographed.
Continuing up the canyon, the walls became higher and the captain pointed out some unusual circles on the walls. These were the ends of petrified logs imbedded in the rock when it was still mud. There were also some rough spheres, some of which were geodes and would contain crystals, often amethyst in this area.
The ninety-minute cruise was interesting and relaxing. We continued to relax as we ate lunch on the deck overlooking the lake.
