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Las Vegas, Day 1
Apr. 16th, 2011 02:16 amToday, we spent the day at the Hoover Dam. It's a leisurely 45 minute drive from the strip in Las Vegas through Boulder City. Just follow the signs.
I was surprised by a lot of little things. The parking garage for example: I've never seen a similar structure so scrubbed, polished & clean. One could proverbially eat off the floor of that place.
We both bought the $30 deluxe tour package: (a) access to the regular exhibits, (b) a tour of one interior dam tunnel and a view from the balcony into the room of generators on the Nevada side of the dam, and (c) an extended extra hour touring into various access and maintenance tunnels through the dam. And it was worth every penny.
The video presentations were a hoot. Total propaganda. The first movie made Herbert Hoover to be a saint --philanthropist, environmentalist, sportsman, etc.: it was a complete whitewash. Both presentations followed a consisten theme: the Colorado River was evil and destructive and only by the intervention of man to tame this savage beast was harmony brought to the homeland. Environmental impact? Not a mention.
This is to be expected, of course: it's the Hoover Dam operators discussing their own history & operations so I didn't expect it to be even vaguely critical. Still, it's been 80 years so perhaps it isn't too much to hope a little objectivity might creep into the show.
When we were done with the guided tours, we walked across the top of the Hoover Dam to the Arizona side & back, taking in the views and taking lots of photos.
On our way out of the dam area, we paused at a place we noted on the way in which offered $29 helicopter rides to view Lake Mead, but they were fully booked for the day. We did however locate the Dairy Queen in Boulder City and enjoyed their kind hospitality.
On returning to the Riviera in Las Vegas, we dropped off our stuff and went for a walk to locate dinner. Kent isn't with us so we were free to indulge in gluten-laded cuisine, in this case italian at Maggiano's. Quick review: great service, huge portions, delicious food, reasonable price. I'd go back again. And they do have gluten-free pasta for those who require it.
Michael and I then walked south along the strip as far as the Hard Times Cafe before crossing the street and walking back north again. I'm not sure how many miles of walking we logged but my feet are protesting loudly.
Photos will be forthcoming... for now, we sleep.
I was surprised by a lot of little things. The parking garage for example: I've never seen a similar structure so scrubbed, polished & clean. One could proverbially eat off the floor of that place.
We both bought the $30 deluxe tour package: (a) access to the regular exhibits, (b) a tour of one interior dam tunnel and a view from the balcony into the room of generators on the Nevada side of the dam, and (c) an extended extra hour touring into various access and maintenance tunnels through the dam. And it was worth every penny.
The video presentations were a hoot. Total propaganda. The first movie made Herbert Hoover to be a saint --philanthropist, environmentalist, sportsman, etc.: it was a complete whitewash. Both presentations followed a consisten theme: the Colorado River was evil and destructive and only by the intervention of man to tame this savage beast was harmony brought to the homeland. Environmental impact? Not a mention.
This is to be expected, of course: it's the Hoover Dam operators discussing their own history & operations so I didn't expect it to be even vaguely critical. Still, it's been 80 years so perhaps it isn't too much to hope a little objectivity might creep into the show.
When we were done with the guided tours, we walked across the top of the Hoover Dam to the Arizona side & back, taking in the views and taking lots of photos.
On our way out of the dam area, we paused at a place we noted on the way in which offered $29 helicopter rides to view Lake Mead, but they were fully booked for the day. We did however locate the Dairy Queen in Boulder City and enjoyed their kind hospitality.
On returning to the Riviera in Las Vegas, we dropped off our stuff and went for a walk to locate dinner. Kent isn't with us so we were free to indulge in gluten-laded cuisine, in this case italian at Maggiano's. Quick review: great service, huge portions, delicious food, reasonable price. I'd go back again. And they do have gluten-free pasta for those who require it.
Michael and I then walked south along the strip as far as the Hard Times Cafe before crossing the street and walking back north again. I'm not sure how many miles of walking we logged but my feet are protesting loudly.
Photos will be forthcoming... for now, we sleep.
