So we got to leaving Las Vegas at about 2pm... heading for the Hoover Dam. About two hours later we got there and man is it huge. It's about 900 feet high (400 of that is underwater) and 110 people died building it. It's not an understatement to say it makes engineering interesting (and, as the voice over told us, proved the 'engineering genius of America'... and compared it to the Colosseum and the Egyptian Pyramids... although completed slightly more recently).
It's the strangest thing, when you've been driving through the desert for hours to turn a corner and all of a sudden see a massive dark blue expanse of lake (Lake Mead) stretch out as far as the eye can see. Pulling up to the Dam itself involved a security check (a walk-through of Winston as well as checking our propane tank) and a slow drive. But it was worth it. One thing we really like about American infrastructure is that everyone involved gets their name on the bronze plaque - including the lawyers, auditors and consultants. Very civilised.
It was pretty hot out there on the dam... 30+ but the cool breeze off the Dam cooled us down.
The Hoover Dam also took us into Arizona... interesting so far. The first hundred or so miles was alongside an Indian reservation - not such an inviting looking place, but there's a lot of jerky to be bought in them parts. We hooked up with Historic Route 66 for a bit - see post below for our dinner - and our now at a really nice camping ground - which is also inexpensive, and the land lady is packing heat.
Would you believe they cleaned the loose rock of the gorge walls swinging crow bars while sitting on bo'sun chairs. That is why so many died. Apparently they had people at the bottom scraping up bodies and queues at the waiting to get on the newly vacated bo'sun chairs! That's what a depression does! You can decide on which type of depression but not including the one where they landed.
ReplyDeleteThe first to die was the surveyor and the last to die 13 years later was his son. ha tan amazing place. Those meals are something else. Great account of your travels. we so enjoy each new one. love to you both M and D
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful. Mark, you need to get a haircut. I cut my mullet off last week. I looked at the Blake Ranch RV park. It looks nice.
ReplyDeleteCharlie, you look hot in that pic. Just thought I'd say so ;)
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