Lake Powell (the second largest man made lake in America)

The second largest man-made lake in the United States is the playground for Page, Arizona, and nearly three million visitors annually.

Lake Powell is 186 miles long and has 1,960 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the entire west coast of the continental United States. There are 96 major canyons to explore though you’ll need a water craft for the majority of them since access is limited because there are few roads.

Boats and PWC’s can be rented from businesses in Page and at each of four marinas with tour boat cruises—from one hour up to seven hours—offered year round at Wahweap and Bull Frog marinas. Dangling Rope Marina is only accessible by boat and is 3/4 of the distance from Wahweap Marina to Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

Other lake activities include swimming, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, hiking and sightseeing. Photographic opportunities abound. You can even take a scenic flight by plane or helicopter over the lake, which provides a bird’s eye view of how far some those 96 canyons extend from the main channel.

Around early June, the lake’s waters begin to warm and stay that way well into October with a clarity unrivaled in other fresh water lakes. While the climate is arid and humidity is generally less than 40 percent, Lake Powell is classified as a “high desert” area due to it’s 3,700 ft. elevation. Water temperatures cool significantly in the winter then rise into the high 70′s in the summer. When it does snow at Lake Powell, the contrast of the white against red-rock cliffs and azure blue waters makes for beautiful photographs and memories.

Glen Canyon Nation Recreation Area, established by Congress in 1972, is the home of Lake Powell. The area is comprised of 1.25 million acres with the lake occupying only 13%, or 161,390 acres, of the total area, which leaves a lot to be explored by four-wheel drive or on foot.

Once you travel by boat a few miles from any of the marinas you’ll find yourself in another world with a skyline unmarred by signs of civilization.

Lake Powell is named for Civil War veteran Major John Wesley Powell, who explored the Green and Colorado rivers in 1869 down through Grand Canyon. In August, 1869, Powell and his eight companions passed through the site of present day Glen Canyon Dam. Extending nearly one-third of a mile across from canyon rim to rim, the dam created the reservoir known as Lake Powell.

The lake, which lies partly in Arizona and mostly in Utah, is more than 500 feet deep in places. While Utah has the lion’s share of Powell’s crystal clear water, Arizona lays claim to the most important part—the dam. It took 17 years, from march 13, 1963 to June 22, 1980, to fill to the planned level of 3,700 feet above sea level. Lake levels fluctuate depending on the spring runoff from the mountains and the releases needed to produce electricity from the dam’s eight generators.

Lake Powell’s tributaries include the Escalante and San Juan rivers. Both are popular fishing areas. Types of fish found in the lake are striped bass, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish and carp.

Lake Havasu in Arizona

For sunny skies, crystal-clear water and beautiful desert landscaping, visit Arizona’s Lake Havasu. More than just a spring break destination, Lake Havasu offers the perfect environment for water and desert enthusiasts alike, with activities like outdoor adventures, golfing, shopping and dining all at your fingertips. With 400 miles of shoreline and constant sunshine, it’s the perfect place for an Arizona vacation.

History & Nature

The Parker Dam was completed in 1938, holding back the Colorado River to form Lake Havasu. In 1964, Lake Havasu City – a 2,500-acre planned community – was founded on the lake’s shore, around the core of a turn-of-the-century mining town.

One of the most interesting – and surprising – attractions in Lake Havasu is the London Bridge, built in 1831 and sold by the City of London – where it had been sinking at a rate of around eight inches a year – in the 1960s. Since 1971, when its reassembly was completed, the arched bridge has spanned Lake Havasu, adding to the city’s tourist appeal.

Things to Do

Dubbed the “Personal Watercraft Capital of the World,” Lake Havasu is one of the Southwest’s premier locations for water sports, including wakeboarding, waterskiing, jet skiing, swimming and boating of all kind. Watercraft rentals, including Lake Havasu houseboat rentals, are available at various locations in Lake Havasu City.

Although known for its waterfront activities, Lake Havasu City also boasts an abundance of land excursions. You can hike or mountain bike on the numerous trails, go off-roading in a jeep or ATV and take a break at one of the numerous Arizona golf courses. Many visitors prefer to see the Lake Havasu sights from above by means of parasailing and hot air balloon rides. You can also book a boat, ferry, kayak, jeep or walking tour of the area from providers in Lake Havasu City.

Hotels, Lodging & Camping

Lake Havasu City provides a large quantity of hotels and lodges for its visitors, including waterfront hotels, full-service resorts and more. Or enjoy the view from one of Lake Havasu’s RV campgrounds or shoreline campsites.

For More Information

699 London Bridge Road
Lake Havasu, AZ 86403
(928) 855-2784

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Best Places in Phoenix To Shoot a Photo

The valley is full of wonderful spots for photos. Whether you are shooting a casual family photo or a formal wedding photo, you can find the perfect spot. Do you want your photo to have that lush look, or do you prefer a classic desert background? Here are five places that are easy to access in the greater Phoenix area where you can take some great photographs.

Prettiest Places for Photos in the Phoenix Area

• Papago Park

Papago Park offers a backdrop of red rock buttes that rivals Sedona’s. It’s located off the Galvin Parkway just north of Van Buren. You can also stop by the nearby Phoenix Zoo & Desert Botanical Garden for some interesting photos there.

• Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza

Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza is located in Old Town Scottsdale. You’ll need to park and walk around. This park contains fountains, ponds, and flowers, and is home to the valley’s LOVE statue. It’s lush green background makes it a great spot for romantic closeups of couples. Tip: The best time to shoot photos here is at about 9 a.m. when it’s less busy and events are less likely to be in progress.

• Tempe Town Lake

With a view of the water and the Mill Avenue Bridge, photos taken here have a relaxed, fun feel to them.

• The Superstitions

This mountain range east of Apache Junction affords easy access for hikers and photographers, allowing opportunities to photograph the Sonoran desert in all its glory. Late March is usually the best time of year for photos in the Superstitions, as the wildflowers will be in bloom if it’s been a rainy winter.

• Freestone Park

Freestone Park is located in Gilbert off Lindsay between Guadalupe and Elliot. The park is filled with water features that make a nice backdrop for photos. There is a kiddie amusement park at Freestone Park, which afford the opportunity for some cute pictures on the carousel and train.

The Best Places To Visit in South America

Peru

One of the best places to visit in South America is Peru, particularly Northern Peru. As a matter of fact, many travel forum members would recommend it to everyone who is heading to South America. Peru is quite often overlooked but this particular side of the country definitely is a budget’s traveler’s goldmine with access to archeological sites, great beaches and the birthplace of ‘ceviche’ – a (spicy) seafood Salad native to the coastal regions in South America. However, most travelers miss out on half the country by flying into Lima and only traveling south. Northern Peru is home to the Incan ruins and the civilizations that came before them. If you are looking for something fun, the ‘Carnaval’ is one of the biggest parties in South America, if not the world, but finding somewhere to sleep in South America can be quite a difficult and expensive experience.

Panama Viejo and Caraz

You may not know this but the best places in South America are rather something that you would not expect to be. Panama Viejo is the most ancient settlement of the South America along the Pacific coastline while the Caraz is the heart of Tunshucayco ruins of Chavin civilization believed to be one of the oldest in Peru. However, there are various and different kinds of modern monuments and ancient remains that are definitely worthy to travel South America. This particular continent in the world is like a store of the unbelievable and the diverse, where you can basically encounter several African-like streets and be able to see Egyptian-like pyramids – thanks to the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs. In regards to these pyramids, it is basically a wonder how it was possible to build similar pyramids in different corners of the globe.

Cruising Destinations

As one of the many cruising destinations, South America is exotic in its own way that other regions simply can’t touch, blending touches of the fjords of Norway and Alaska, the cosmopolitan cities of Europe and the vast stretches of rugged terrain in Australia. The Chilean fjord’s snow-capped volcanoes and spectacular frosty glaciers are certainly some of the most dramatic highlights during a cruise to South America. The sophisticated and sassy Beunos Aires – dubbed as South America’s Paris, will definitely seduce your senses with the country’s sultry tango and fragrant Argentinean cuisine.

As you may already know, the planet’s fourth largest continent covers thousands of miles from the equatorial tropics to the sub-Arctic and you will definitely find no trace of cruise ship congestion in these areas – whether the cruise ship is sailing around Cape Horn, anchoring in Antarctica or docking in lively Rio de Janeiro. With all that has been said, you definitely can’t miss such an opportunity of a lifetime.

Cusco and Iglesia de San Francisco

The Cusco is the ancient capital city of the Incas and it is considered as the living museum of the Peruvian history. Cusco definitely has several Spanish colonial churches and mansions sitting perfectly atop the constructed Inca walls of exquisitely carved granite blocks that fit together without mortar. If you already have visited this remarkable city, you may have noticed that the hills lay more terrific examples of Inca masonry such as the zigzagged defensive walls of Sacsayhuamán and the smaller ruins of Q’enko. In Venezuela, the Iglesia de San Francisco has its own rich history. Having that said, the Iglesia de San Francisco is the church where Simón Bolívar was proclaimed El Libertador in 1813, and the site of his massive funeral in 1842 – the year his remains were brought back from Colombia some 12 years after his death.

Everyone surely loves to travel! Visit http://rideqwest.com/ for more travel ideas you can do for your holiday and special summer vacation… you might be alone, with your family or with your fiancé. Visit this site for more interesting facts about South America and why everyone desires to live there!