And so, we leave Vegas behind. It's time for an excursion. First up is the legendary Hoover Dam, just over 30 miles South East of party town, taking you snaking along the Nevada/Arizona state line.
This is by no means a day trip. You would not need more than a couple of hours here, but coming from Vegas it's a must see, especially when you're this close. Plus if you have geek status, such as myself, then you want to see where Pierce Brosnon, as James Bond, hurled himself off the dam in Goldeneye. Or where the location of Sector Seven, and the All Spark was in Transformers.
Along the way, you wind through boulder stricken desert in beautiful hues of orange, brown and yellow, giving that sort of dusty, dirty aesthetic. And with the sun beginning it's downward float, you can really get some spectacular light and fantastical views.
After 30 miles or so you see the massive stretch of water, created by the Hoover Dam, named Lake Mead. This massive expanse of water seems somehow paradoxical given that you're in the desert and there's a general lack of green. Still, seeing that on the horizon is a welcome sight and at the Lake Mead Recreation Centre, you can do all sorts of exciting things, like kayaking, canoing, fishing and even scuba diving. Nice!
Lake Mead on the horizon.
Okay, so there is quite a lot of green in this photo, but I can assure you that is due to proximity to water. The rest of the journey is scrub at best.
And so, only a few miles later and you take the turn off for the dam and you know you're almost there as you travel through the land of pylons. (Well, they have to get the power out somehow.)
The land of the pylons.
There is now the option to by pass the dam road and take the beautiful new bridge, but you actually can't see the dam from the bridge, so if you're thinking uber speed tourism, you'd be utterly disappointed.
The amazingly long titled bridge.
The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Stunning though, isn't it and especially in that light.
Continue along the US 93 which is always open and takes you straight across the dam. Though, don't fall for the same mistake we did and park for $7 on the Nevada side. (Rookie mistake.) Drive over the top of the dam to the Arizona side and there are free parking lots. Especially when it's all closing up and there are very few people around.
The main sight is the dam itself. (though there is a visitor's centre and tour of sorts). And just snuck into the canyon like it is, it feels sort of secretive and mysterious. There's a weird feeling of quiet serenity, though you know underneath it all is a massive turbine shipping out masses of electricity to millions of people over three states. But this feeling of eerie calm steels over the place and the sun paints its pictures on the rocks and you just breath a sigh. Of relief? I don't know. But it's certainly a change from the sensorial attack of Vegas.
Obviously, I'm sure it's not like that at peak tourist times but we like to do things a little differently and I can tell you, going around 5 o'clock gives you some great reflecting time. Time to think and ponder. (Just how did James Bond leap off there and survive? Just how did they keep the All Spark and Megatron under there all that time?)
Anyway, enough babble. Here's some photos.
The leaning Pylons of Nevada (precarious much?)
Millions of wires (took from Nevada side)
The dam! (From the Arizona side)
Now, again, if you're a geek like me, the very idea that you can walk over the border between two states is very exciting, so make sure you walk the whole length of the dam. You can literally jump in and out of a state. And as I'm trying to visit as many states as possible, this is a very useful way to say, "I've been to Arizona." But haven't really seen anything. Still I stepped foot in there, so it's a big tick for me!
He he. And on the towers, it even has Nevada time and Arizona time, though they are of course the same. (Give or take the few minutes it takes to walk between them., for those smart Alec's that would argue.) Which just adds to the excitement of being in another state. It's just so much better than say, hopping between Cornwall and Devon, or Norfolk and Suffolk.
The bigger picture.
The toilets in the tower.
Looking down. Argh!
James Bond really is brave!
The plaque!
Exciting signs.
And so, to summarise:
- If you're staying a few days in Vegas, this is definitely a nice little detour.
- There is a visitor's centre and tour, although this is less extensive than it used to be since 9/11.And costs around $12 adult admission.
- If you get there later (the road is always open, as before the bridge, it was the only way to cross the canyon) you can reflect in the quiet serenity of calm and beauty. And enjoy feeling like an ant crawling along the mahoosive structure.
- If there's space, drive over to the Arizona side for free parking and to achieve state geek status.
- Enjoying jumping between states. I'm in Nevada. I'm in Arizona. I'm in Nevada. I'm in Arizona. And repeat as needed.
- Use the Art Deco toilets in the towers, though the sign is the nicest part of them and they are awfully draughty between the old legs.
- Ponder life's questions and fiction's use of the dam.
- Get some memorable photos. (okay this one is obvious.)
The great thing about the Hoover Dam is that it's a platform to spring you into new adventures and further excursions. Next blog we'll be taking the journey to The Grand Canyon for a speed tourists dream. Less than a day at one of the most amazing sights in the world. Oh yes. It can be done!
That's all for now.
The Sarky Traveller
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