Trip Report - Lake Powell September 25-28 2003

I am writing this first page on Spetember 19th, 2003, before my trip has actually begun... If you want to skip over my pre-trip ramblings and get on to what actually happened, go on to page 2.

The Plan

Background

So I find myself suffering from a severe kayaking jones. And also, I find myself about to start leading a new midweek home group for my church -- a business I've been out of for several years now. So I need to spend some time with God and have a good listen as to what He wants me to do. And I have permission from my wife to disappear for a bit, and have some time alone.

Oh, and also I now have a car of my own that is reliable for nice long trips (first time in almost 10 years that that's been true).

But a new vacation policy at work (plus the fact that I took about 10 days off already during the summer) means that I can only squeeze one day of vacation; plus the weekend gets me three days total of R & R.

Of course, I live in Tucson, AZ, which is not prime kayaking country. Plus I don't own a kayak (or a roof rack) and I can't afford one so I need to go where they can be rented. Preferably cheap.

After going through a couple different preliminary plans I hit upon renting a kayak on Lake Powell, a mere 400 miles north of here as the PT Cruiser drives.

And, yeah, I know that as a good environmentalist I am supposed to be in favor of blowing up Glen Canyon Dam and letting "Lake" Powell disappear. But it's hard for me to get excited about having canyons there instead of a lake, because let's face it, this part of the country has a whole lotta canyons and precious few lakes. Please don't take away my Environmentalist Card. Remember, I'll be kayaking, not jet skiing.

[Editor's Note 10/16: My friend James Armstrong points out that a good environmentalist would not drive a PT Cruiser. I guess I should be driving a Toyota Prius or whatever it's called. He has a valid point, but I voted for Nader for president so I think it cancels out]

Oh, and also...

Ever since I recently found out about it, I've felt the need to visit Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona. Which is not exactly on my way, but not too far out of my way either.

See, back in 1973, and for several years thereafter, "Take It Easy" was my very favorite song.

Oh, yeah, the plan

Where was I? So this is the plan: Here's a map of my projected kayak route. Click on it to see a bigger version.

What's Wrong With The Plan?

Well, hopefully nothing. But I haven't been to Lake Powell before and I don't really know anyone else who has (even if I did, they were probably like houseboating or jet skiing or something and wouldn't be of much help). So this whole thing is figured out by me just from looking at maps and websites.

Oh, and I haven't been flatwater kayaking in about 3 years. But I have been working out an hour a day for the last month, so I'm actually probably in better shape than I've been in several years.

Also, I've never actually seen the kayak I'll be renting. Although they commonly rent them for several days, I think their typical customer is also renting a houseboat and is just going to use the kayak to toodle around on. I'm counting on being able to stow a bunch of equipment on this kayak, so I hope there turns out to be a decent way to do that.

Anyway, the best laid plans of mice and men and all that. So I'm being brave and/or foolhardy and letting you all know in advance what my plan is, so I can't say, "Oh, I meant to do that" afterwards. If I end up spending the whole weekend in a hotel in Page hiding from sandstorms, I'll be honest about it.

I don't have a big emotional investment in accomplishing everything set out here. If I never get farther than Castle Rock, I will still be happy.

Okay, one thing that's wrong with the plan is that I get into Winslow after all the tourist trap shops are closed, and leave the next day before they open. How am I gonna get cool Winslow fridge magnets, stickers, patches, postcards, etc?

I Know What You're Thinking...

Okay, I know what you're thinking. "Glenn, why are you going to Winslow through Payson? wouldn't it be faster to take the interstate through Flagstaff?"

Well, yeah, it would. But this is part of my insane plan to travel every mile of major highway in Arizona before I die. Aside from the stretch of I-19 between Green Valley & Nogales, I already have all the interstates covered. This route will get me a very big chunk of state highway 87. So see, it all makes sense. Calm down.

The Weather

As I write this, 5:30 pm on the 24th, it has been raining nonstop for more than 24 hours. This is unprecendeted in my 2 years as an Arizonan -- it doesn't rain that much here, and when it does, it tends to be hour-long downpours with thunder and lightening.

But we've got a Seattle-style rainstorm. There's a big storm system parked over the entire state of Arizona.

Fortunately, I just looked at the 5 day forecast for Marble Canyon, AZ (nearby Lake Powell), and the weather looks to be perfect! High right around 90F and low right around 60F every day, and (best of all) light winds.

On to The Reality!