Hoover Dam
Trip Start
Jun 17, 2009
1
8
16
Trip End
Jul 24, 2009
Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
We drove out to the Hoover Dam today. WOW! It seems so much bigger than the pictures. When we got there is was 104 degrees but it was like being in an oven. No humidity.
We toured the power plant and saw the generators. We got to walk through some of the original diversion tunnels (these diverted the Colorado River while the dam was built) and went to the generator room. The giant turbines are amazing. There are two of these rooms. One on the Nevada side and one on the Arizona side. Much of the water and power goes to Southern California but is also routed to Arizona and Nevada.
Lake Mead was also awesome. The water really looks out of place in the landscape and when I asked about the level, the guide said it was low but there was still 109 feet to the bottom. The white line we could see on the rock was from the highest level the lake reached in 1983. The line was caused by the calcium.
We took a bit of a detour coming back but got to see the local neighborhoods. The houses are really nice and there is no grass so no mowing the lawn. We also found a Target so the peanut butter and jelly is restocked and we're ready for more adventure.
Off to the Grand Canyon tomorrow. We'll update you soon.
We miss everyone and hope you're enjoying our trip. We love hearing from you!
Debbie and Sara
Comments
My visit to Hoover Dam
Did you happen to see my initials painted on the wall of the dam. Right below a piece of gum. You see, when I was younger, maybe 5 or 4, I visited the dam and of course I was chewing gum and right when I was walking across the dam I looked down and there was this little spit of water coming out of the dam, so I took my gum out of mouth and put it in the hole. I guess it's still there cause I haven't heard of any flooding down below the dam. I have a story about the Grand Canyon too. One time, well I think I was still 5 or 4, I jumped from one side to the other. I almost didn't make it, but then I did. Sara, you may want to try and jump across, but Debbie, I don't think you should, cause if you don't make it and hurt yourself, and then can't drive, well that leaves Sara driving. When you get to NYC I will tell you about jumping over the Empire State Building, I was older then, maybe 6 or 5, but that story can wait, so don't read this now. Robb
The Dam
Robb, you are joking right? I believe I might have seen these scenes in the movies before:-) Debbie and Sara, I guess there was no mishap at the dam? No pushing a button just to see what happens? I figure so since I didn't here anything on CNN. I got nauseous just looking at the picture of how high the dam was from the water. Definitely not something for me to do? Continue having fun!
Hey Debbie & Sara!
Today was my first day of checking your travel blog, and boy did I have a lot of catching up to do. Looks like ya'll are having a great time! The pics are great - good job Sara! Can't wait to check in tomorrow to find out where you went today! Debbie you didn't mention doing any gambling in Vegas?? Whats up with that?!!! :) Sharon D.
Vegas - Hoover Dam - Grand Canyon
Debbie - you are bringing back a lot of GREAT memories. I remember hitting each of those spots. Great pics and its really great to get yours and Sara's impressions of everything. Wish I could do a trip like this!! Enjoy for all of us following you. Debbie A