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LAKE POWELL - SPRING 2010 Launch: Wahweap Marina
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FROGGING, LEAPING, SWIMMING, PADDLING AND HIKING
Froggin'
-----When you go boating with kids a whole new world is opened to us older folk. Suddenly the kids want to go overboard, swim up a canyon, and go a'frogging. In less time than it takes to tell about it, they found 35 frogs and toads (and we thought those species were in a global rapid population decline). They photographed, observed and watched them go about their business.
-----But, regardless of their discoveries, frogs, amphibians, and lizards globally are at risk. Since the 1970's biologists have noted a serious decline in their populations, especially amphibians, and there are now so many confirming studies that there is a consensus among herpetologists that the observations are reality and a severe threat to biodiversity. This consensus emerged with an increase in the number of studies that monitored amphibian populations, direct observation of mass mortality in pristine sites that lacked apparent cause, and an awareness that declines in amphibian populations are truly global in nature.--
-----Many different causes have been proposed for the stress on amphibians. Apparently, with their permeable skins, they are especially susceptible to stress, so their decline is perhaps the result of many factors. However, there is scientific agreement that the primary cause is the recent trend in global warming. But here, in the slot canyons of Powell, our herpetological sleuths found many herps still thriving.
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A Prickly Herp Under a Prickly Branch; An Upside Down World; Ami's Good Friend
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A Humble Lizzie, Who Keeps His Beauty Hidden; And The Big One They Let Go By
Leapin'
-----Kids love to go a'leaping. At Lake Powell, many fatalities have unfortunately occurred due to high impact velocities with the lake surface when jumping from heights, or falling on unseen subsurface rocks. Our kids carefully dove and checked out each of their leaping spots before daring gravity.
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On a Hot Day, With a Deep Swimmin' Hole, What Could be Better?
Swimming
-----One of the great joys for every kid in the summer is to go a'swimming. Perhaps it is the very sensation of defying gravity with the weightlessness of swimming - the very antithesis of leaping - that especially appeals. Of course the coolness of water is a marvelous escape from the high heat of Powell - and - swimming routes often lead to slot canyons!
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Swimming to the slot and climbing up the fall
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--------And Great Fun For Adult Kids As Well (El and Chris)
Paddling
-----A canoe, kayak, or dinghy is also another treasured memory of summers. "Floaties" also work real well!
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Hiking
-----Early
morning is an especially good time, during the hot months in Utah, to go exploring
with some hiking. And Powell is a perfect place with a trove of 'treasure hunt'
lures around every rock bend.
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See the Dots in the Center of
Each Picture?
-----So, Lake Powell in the warm months is a great spot for most all summer outdoor activities - and especially for young folks off on summer adventures. Bring kids or grandkids (or any kids) for a great shared time.
Ty and Bryce
(06-10)