Alaskan Seas

This image was provided by My Your Our Water.

"This image is of two desert dwellers finding their Sea Legs on a watery Alaska adventure.

Many happy returns to the Pisces on the right."

My Your Our Water

Waterbabies

These images were shared by Adrienne S. Her bond to the water is so strong, that out of love and respect, she named one of her twin boys Ocean.

"The ability to float is like flying-weightless. Water is my town, my childhood and now my children's."

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Second Place Finisher

This numbered duo were making their way along the Crosscut Canal from Papago Park to Echo Coffee. Milica and Attilio had just finished running the Chinese New Year 5k yet they were full of energy and conversation. Clearly they hydrated. Unaware of the true function of the canal system, these two were surprised to know that their water makes it's way from the Verde and Salt River through a system of dams, reservoirs and canals before it flows to a water treatment facility. Clean fresh water is always a first place winner.

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Grandest of Grand

Take a moment to actually look at this image submitted by Juan R from California. The seemingly small trickle is a grand waterfall. The speck on the bottom is a human figure standing in awe.

"Water is nature's way of speaking to us, if and when we listen."

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Engineering Water

This is Mike with the Trike. We had the opportunity to become acquainted on the Marshall Way Bridge spanning the Arizona Canal. Mike is very familiar with water: waterways,  water usage, water power, water delivery, reservoirs, dams. You name it water and Mike knows it. Once upon a time he worked for the US Bureau of Reclamation. His tip for the day, "when inside a dam, don't get out of the elevator if its dark or you may  quickly discover you're in the spillway."

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Watching Winter Water

This image from consummate observer of water- frozen, flowing, fresh- is a poem and a story.  A breathe and a sigh. A moment and lifecycle.

 shared by Damien D in upstate NewYork

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 The Water Drop

This image may be reminescent of  weird highschool science lab but it's actually the "Waterdrop" in Fresno, CA. The drought in the San Joaquin Valley has resulted in many
pop up water stores. The city of Fresno has responded to the are drought and ground water depletion with the implementation of a city water plan.

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MEXICO CITY

Yes, there is a water shortage in Mexico. And while some individuals wait in line to purchase water from tankers other take to washing the streets.

These images of street washing were shared by Wilbur P. from Mexico, City.

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Public Art Pit Stop

Heading east on the Arizona Canal the Trike took a photo opt break at the "in progress" Scottsdale Public Art project at the corner of Cattletrack and McDonald. The Industrial Pipe Wave made from salvaged materials is the work of artist Chris Fennell. If you are on the canal, take a load off and catch a wave.

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 Crops

If you Trike the Arizona Canal far enough to the east you will discover the canal system at work, irrigation.

"Irrigation accounts for a majority of the freshwater used worldwide and the expected doubling of food requirements by 2050 will result in significant increases in freshwater withdrawals."  

click the quote and learn 15 facts about irrigation worldwide

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Good Humor Guy

Yes, it was warm enough for Ice Cream. Yes, it does look like the Trike Trunk should be filled with delicious dairy delights. Yes, this pair from Durango curiously stopped the Trike to investigate the situation. While none of us enjoyed a frozen treat we had a two scoop conversation about local and national water issues with a little bit of international water sprinkled on top. Mack and Kim were visiting the valley from the high desert in Durango, Colorado. They are very familiar with issues of water conservation and water scarcity. Thank you for engaging in a both delightful and meaningful conversation. It was a treat!

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Surf's Up

As desert rats, Arizonans don't have to learn how to assess a wave set. This trio at Rio del Mar are planning their morning session. 
This image was shared by Bryce E.

" It doesn't get better than this."

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Beer for Breakfast ?

Some of us wake up and reach for coffee (made with water). This energetic dynamic duo must have had a coffee in their sleep.  When we had the opportunity to meet along the Arizona Canal, they had already biked south to the farmers market, biked north back along the canal to hit the gym and 180'd again to bike south along the canal to head home. Transplants to the city, John and Cindy USE  the canal trail system on a regular basis to move through their day. They have been known to have family adventures to OHSO - the home of beer for breakfast at 48th and the Arizona Canal or to play a bit of "Where's Watson?".  As per John, "everything is better when you JUMP!" Thanks for the laughs and water talk. Hope to see you on the canal soon.

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Reflections

Water is not only our life source but it is also a source of inspiration,  meditation and solace. Ling L from Taiwan shared her quiet observations.

"When you can let it go, then you can pick it up. 

At ease letting it go or picking it up- then you are truly free."

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Love is in the Air

This fabulously happy group gathered from across the country to celebrate Water! Ok. Ok. They traveled to  Arizona to celebrate a friend's impending nuptials. Greg, sitting on the Trike was making his way to the alter via a quick stop at the Tikki room and a Trike photo opt. Our water conversation was a diversified portfolio of canal chat, what's on tap and national waterscape. The group heralded from Boston, New Jersey, LA and some awesome locals. We hope it was a beautiful ceremony and a perfect start to a great partnership. We toast you with clean water Best Wishes!

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Little Colorado

The Little Colorado River is a tributary of the Colorado River. The confluence of the Little and the Big Colorado marks the end of the Marble Canyon segment of the Grand Canyon and the beginning of the Upper Granite Gorge. The Colorado River Basin spans 7 states and two countries. It provides drinking water to more than 36 million people and is the irrigation source to millions of acres of farmland. The Colorado River is heavily dammed, diverted and tapped. As a result, this majestic river no longer reaches the Sea.

For a simple way to help the restore the Colorado River click Change the Course or for more ways to help enact change visit Take Part.

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Native New Yorker

East coast or west coast, the ocean impresses upon our identities. This image of Brick Beach in New Jersey was submitted by Marguerite G.

"The beach is my favorite place in the world. I have great memories of my childhood summers being spent every single day at the beach. It's beautiful and peaceful."

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One Speed GO!

Intersections and commonalities are the root of this image submitted by cyclist and blogger at OneSpeedGo John R. A. Just a few short days ago John posted about three sources of water . Click. Read. Enjoy. Now get out and ride on the canal with John or the Trike!

"...a rainy watery ride "

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Desert Snow

This image is not photoshopped. The Arizona high country does take a few winter wallops. Thank goodness too, the watershed needs a good snow pack. This water image was submitted by Kathleen W on a road trip.

"A white out on I-40 coming home from Santa Fe...beautiful but scary"

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Where the Water flow goes?

Did you know that storm water pollution has a big impact on the water quality in most urban waterways?  It is a common misconception that water runoff from streets, parking lots, and driveways flows to a treatment plant before it is released to the environment. The dirty reality is that water runoff and all the pollution it carries often flows directly or indirectly to local creeks, streams, and rivers. What does that mean?  Every day activities and common household items can be polluting our water ways including litter, pet waste, fertilizers, leaves, grass clippings, automobile oils, and road salt. 

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Urban Solitude

In the midst of the busy hustle and bustle of city life, retreat can be found almost in our back yard. Raj G finds calm in the the evening light and the calm of Chaparral Lake park.

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At the Car Wash

Washing a car at home or at a parking lot fundraiser can use between 40-140 gallons of water. The lower estimate is for a bucket and spray nozzle hose. A professional car wash, depending if it is a conveyer or bay, will use approximately 15 gallons of fresh water plus additional reclaimed water from previous washes bringing the total water consumption between 35-100 gallons of water.

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Caress

Water. Our first home. Ritual. Comfort. Joy. Cleansing. Life. Holding on and Letting Go.

Ling L from Taiwan shared these gentle and dynamic images of her and her family's relationship with water.

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Clean Up

Ever wonder what's in the canal other than your drinking water?

Ever wonder why people think it's a good idea to dump garbage into my, your, our drinking water?

The SRP scheduled canal dry ups provide an opportunity for necessary maintenance of the canal structures but also importantly allow for cleaning.

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Sharing the Water

As land mammals we spend a good deal of time playing in the water. Janexis L shared several images from a snorkeling trip to Mexico Rocks, a shallow patch reef located in the Belizean Barrier Reef. 

" water and nursesharks... it was beautiful"

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Lucky Dog

  Ron Up of KIRO FM in Seattle sent in this image from Woodinville, Washington. 

"Morning dog walk around the pond."

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Dirty Dishes, You Do The Math 

A dishwasher accounts for 1%-2% of the the overall water consumption of an average household of four.  

This average household generates an average of 150 loads of dishes a year. Using an old standard dishwasher that consumes approximately 10 to 15 gallons of water per load this average household will use in the range of 1,500 to 2,250 gallons annually. ( This water consumption estimate does not account for water used in pre-rinsing the dishes before loading them into the machine)

Replacing the older machine with a newer efficient machine will not only save about 1000 gallons of water a year but save energy to boot.

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All Smiles

What you can't see in this photo is the steep HILL just out of camera frame to the left. The single speed trike was about to attempt some fancy uphill maneuvering  when miraculously interrupted by cheers of friendly encouragement. This is Samuel. He was born at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. He grew up on the east coast and lived in St. Croix. He isn't phased by his current land locked residence rather he enjoys the desert and what it has to offer.  As a hairstylist and owner of Puzzles Studio he is well versed in the importance of clean accessible water. Samuel likes to ride the canal paths as his afternoon work break. He jumps on the Crosscut at 64th and Thomas and away he pedals. Thanks for the uphill encouragement. Happy cutting!