Arizona

Mar 17-20, 2017
AC1838 YYC-PHX, UA739

My aunt and uncle have spent the last two winters in the Lake Havasu area of Arizona.  Lake Havasu City is built around a large lake that is product of a dam of the Colorado River on the Arizona/California border.  In addition to being a water playground for boating and fishing and a retirement destination, it is also a Spring Break college destination for a number of US colleges.  This clashing of cultures creates an interesting dichotomy, but the hiking around the lake is quite beautiful with extensive trails.  My uncle leads a number of hikes and was an excellent guide.  It was great spending time with family and also getting to explore a new area of the country for us.

Mar 18

After staying near the airport at Phoenix, we made our way across Arizona towards Lake Havasu.

Colorado River in Parker Strip, downstream of the dam

Parker Dam holding back Lake Havasu

Right on the lake at Havasu City

One of many high powered boats enjoying the sunny day

A sail boat to contrast the spring break speedsters

Capturing a bird in flight

Beautiful grounds around by Aunt and Uncle’s place

London Bridge in its North American home

Spring Break under the bridge

Very picturesque surroundings for spring break

Gold stage coach replica in the London Bridge Resort

Mar 19

The great thing about Lake Havasu is endless hiking opportunities in the area.  There were many trails and weren't really well marked, so it was great that my Uncle was available to show us the way.

The narrowest part of the trail made it interesting

Panoramic view of the dessert with the lake

Flowering cactus

Looking really green for the Arizona dessert

Winter flowers in bloom

For more winter flower

Our reward for climbing the mountain

Looking back towards the city

My uncle surveying the area

Working our way down the hill

More of Tom's flower series

Looking back on our peak

Lizard in the brush

Mar 20

My uncle is part of a hiking ground that meets weekly.  We had enough time to do a good hike with the group before heading back to Phoenix to start the trip home.

Conga trail of hikers kept up a nice pace

More flowering cactus

Cactus at closeup

Expansive desert

After checking into his hotel downtown, Tom dropped me off for my evening flight to Houston so that I could save a day’s vacation.  Tom flew back to Toronto on Tuesday morning.