Bikes and Boats

My impression of Amsterdam is overwhelmingly one of bikes and boats. I am used to canals from living in the Salt River Valley but the Arizona canals are nothing compared to the huge number of canals in Amsterdam. The Arizona canals also do not have boats, in fact, it is illegal to float or put a boat on an Arizona canal (although it has been done). Also, when the outside temperature is a toasty 118 degree Fahrenheit, you do not want to try to ride a bike unless you are a die-hard bike person. All of these reasons and more make the bikes and boats of Amsterdam a treat for someone who lived almost his entire life in Arizona.