Hoover Dam

On our second trip to Vegas, we rented a car making it easier to get out of the city. My fiance and I thought it would be a great idea to make use of the car and head to Hoover Dam. With Hoover Dam being just 30 miles Southeast of Vegas, it's a quick roadtrip to see something extraordinary!

Getting to Hoover Dam was a real treat. One minute you are in the complete desert, and the next, you are winding down hilly ravines with not much to the side of you as far as guard rails go. My knuckles were a little white when we got there, and to be completely honest, we drove right over Hoover Dam and I didn't even notice! Ha!

I couldn't believe how huge it was! All that concrete made into one giant slab to allow power to much of the west! It really is a megastructure! Walking across it was cool, too. When you start the venture across, you are in the Pacific Time Zone, and when you get to the other side, you are in the Mountain Time Zone! I hadn't realized that until we got there! A bridge is also being built to the west of Hoover Dam, and after completion, it will be the only inlet to the Dam, eleviating congestion on the Dam itself.

There are a lot of photo opts at the Dam, and I couldn't take enough of the Dam itself. We went there in the morning, so the sun was casting a cool shadow on the Dam, so I was keeping an eye on that. The Colorado River was a spectacle in itself. The water was as blue as the sky, and the landscape was amazing! I still can't get past the thought of the Dam being man-made!

The drive back offers a look-out point on the banks of Lake Mead. Lake Mead is a gorgeous man-made (wouldn't you know it) lake with waters tempting enough to jump right in. I also saw this lake from the plane, and it really is a sight to see! Our half-day trip was definitely worth a couple hours out of the spectacle that is Las Vegas!

Tips on going to Hoover Dam:
-When driving, DON'T LOOK DOWN! Also, if someone in the car is afraid of heights, don't let them drive.
-Don't take the tour. It is over-priced, long, and boring.
-Go into the bathrooms while crossing the Dam. It offers a unique look at it.