Sonya, Clara & Lydia: Road Trip

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Road Trip - Hoover Dam

Sedona, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada

Our bags were all packed and we were ready to head to Las Vegas where we would be boarding our flight back to Boston at midnight that day. It was another long drive though...

Iron Skillet, Arizona

We stopped at a petrol station to fill up the tank of our car and also fill up our stomach at the restaurant next to the station. I think it was called Iron Skillet. It was an interesting place because they didn't use regular plates and bowls to serve their food. Instead, it was all pots and pans if you order their lunch buffet.

Iron Skillet, Arizona

After lunch, we were on the road again and it was another dose of Dora the Explorer! I had been trying to film Sonya doing all the moves while she watched Dora but had not been successful because she got very conscious and stopped her actions. I finally succeeded that day. Watch her go, "Isa turn the wheel... Turn the wheel, Isa..."

Sonya watching Dora the Explorer on DVD in the car

US Highway 93, Arizona

We drove on US Highway 93 and with every mile, the weather got hotter and hotter...

US Highway 93, Arizona

until it was 112 degrees F or 44.4 degrees celcius!!!

Temperature at Hoover Dam, Arizona

Finally we arrived at the Hoover Dam. You see the bridge below? That is a new road that is still under construction. After September 11, they have been working on a new bridge over the Colorado River after the Hoover Dam. At the moment, the highway runs right over the dam itself.

Hoover Dam, Arizona

The photo above shows how the road winds down the mountain and then right behind the dam before going directly over it.

Hoover Dam, Arizona / Nevada

Lake Mead, Arizona / Nevada

This photo shows Lake Mead with its water behind the dam. I think the water level in the lake used to be much higher. The foot of the mountains have been bleached white by the water. That was how high the water level was.

Hoover Dam, Arizona / Nevada

The photo below shows the construction of the Neveda side of the new bridge over the Colorado River.

Hoover Dam, Nevada

The photo below shows the construction of the Arizona side of the new bridge.

Hoover Dam, Arizona

The photo below shows the wall of the dam that is holding back the water in the lake.

Hoover Dam, Arizona / Nevada

Lake Mead Recreation Area, Arizona / Nevada

Lake Mead is actually a recreation area. Our National Park Annual Pass is vaild here so we didn't have to pay the $5 entrance fee to the area. There were lots of recreation boats docked at the pier.

Lake Mead Recreation Area, Arizona / Nevada

Some people were launching their boats into the water in the photo below.

Lake Mead Recreation Area, Arizona / Nevada

We were driving happily when three strange birds ran across the road!

Lake Mead Recreation Area, Arizona / Nevada

The place reminded me of the time when we were in Victorville, California for the DARPA Grand Challenge last November where it was desert everywhere with little vegetation until we came to Silver Lakes and there were beautiful houses right by the edge of the lake. The people could jump right into their boats docked by their backyard. It was waterfront living in the desert! Amazing!