Lake Powell then Boot Camp

The upcoming weekend looks perfect and so I'm heading to Lake Powell. I'll do a little fishing, a little sight seeing, plus relax and enjoy time with family.

My son, Dan, joined the Army - he heads to basic training in a couple weeks. He loves Powell and so we decided get him down there once more before he ships out.

Dan's wife, Jenny, will be coming - her first trip to the lake. They are pregnant, some 6.5 months along, so we will be taking it easy - hunting calm water.

Fishing should be superb. There will be a full moon, and that can interfere with fishing during the morning hours, but I don't think it will constrain things at this time of year. It will be beautiful camping out under that moon.

I normally camp on a beach away from the marinas - nothing better than having a remote canyon all to yourself, where you can't hear or see other humans. But this time I've elected to stay in the developed campground at Bullfrog - close to the restrooms.

My boat is running well. Had to rebuild the axle on the trailer - hope they welded the spindle on straight. The spindle is the part the wheel bearings ride on, so it holds the wheel on. Last time I towed the boat a set of bearings burned out and ruined the existing spindle. I wanted to replace the entire axle but couldn't find one that fit my boat. So I had a shop rebuild the old one. Cross your fingers.

My recreational habits are a bit streaky. For the past couple years I've been into canyon hiking, doing more of that than fishing. I think this is the year for Lake Powell. Oh, I'll do a few hikes, but I hope to get down to Powell 4-5 times. I'll buy an annual pass, so friends and family members should encourage me to use it.

I'll try to send a few Twitter messages to report from the lake. Follow me on Twitter.
- Dave

Hiking to Heaven

Why do I hike? Why do I fish? I throw countless hours and dollars and miles at these activities - what do I get back?

I've been asked to speak to a group of engineers and I will try to convince them that hiking will improve their lives and help fix the world. The company they work for offers a monthly lunch where employees can eat free if they listen to a healthy lifestyle presentation. I get a free lunch out of the deal. Not bad.

So, why do I hike and fish? Guess I better work that out before Tuesday. Here's a start.

1. I enjoy it. I enjoy being out in nature - particularly in areas with great natural beauty.

2. It helps me stay sane. The serenity in nature helps me keep my life in perspective. The rhythmic actions provide a focus for my conscious mind but leave my unconscious free to process - to sort things out. If I don't get out of town at least once a month I start to go crazy.

3. It's healthy exercise.

4. It's good for families. Spending time together, communicating, having fun... It's good for parents to structure activities that promote those things.

5. It's good for the world. Don't stop with your own kids. Take your neighbors. Work with a Scout troop. Help other people's kids.

It's good when people learn to love and respect the nature world, and to work to restore nature's balance.

I do believe activities like hiking and fishing help people fix their lives and improve the world. Convinced?

Why do you hike and/or fish?