They Call It Dolly

Now that I'm back from my trip to Arizona for the year, I can tell you of a new and fun thing that I found to do.  This one is a little off the beaten path.
Just east of Apache Junction on the east side of Phoenix, there is a road that goes to a place called Canyon Lake.  This road is more than a little off the beaten path around the Superstition Mountains in full view of Weaver's Needle where all the the treasure junkies are still looking for the Lost Dutchman Mine.  Never mind the mine which will never be found.  With enough patience, you will find Canyon Lake.  Canyon Lake is one in a series of beautiful lakes on the damned up section of the Salt River.  Canyon Lake is not the biggest and may not even be the prettiest, but it is the only one with the Dolly.
What's a Dolly?  Dolly is a paddle wheeler boat that takes people on a lovely 1 1/2 hour cruise, or a dinner cruise if you'd like all around the lake.  The scenery is beautiful.  The narrator tells wonderful tales as he points out the formations and caves around the lake.  The mountain goats are plentiful.  The views are amazing.  The boat itself is a two story boat with an air conditioned lower level with a snack bar, an upper level with no air conditioning, but great views and two outside decks for the sun lovers that don't mind the heat.
The day we visited, it was 110 degrees outside and we were slathered in layers of sun screen, but the Dolly was comfortable and the trip was worth every penny of the $20 price of the tickets.  I mean, what's a little heat when your views are like this?

We had a lovely afternoon.  We were 2800 miles from home, and we even managed to run into one of my son's friends from school.  What are the odds?  The media calls the Dolly a diamond in the rough.  I think that it may be more of a hidden gem.  It's right to the east of Phoenix, but it's well hidden in the hills.  The locals know, and that's how I found it.  It's worth the trouble of the drive there.  It's worth every minute of your time.  I highly recommend that if you're in the area you take a cruise on the Dolly, no matter what time of year it is.  You'll also enjoy the drive in if you like a little adventure!

http://www.dollysteamboat.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings

Enjoy!