Travelog: Lake Mead & Hoover Dam

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November 07, 2009

Travelog: Lake Mead & Hoover Damn

In September this year we had the opportunity to visit Lake Mead, just outside Las Vegas and part of that Lake Mead boat tour included a close up rendezvous with Hoover Dam. The Las Vegas Brat Pak of Linda, Lonnie, Rebs and I ventured off on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to make the 12:00 tour via this fantastic "riverboat" called "Desert Princess". The boat tour was barely 1/4 full which resulted in our group having the superb opportunity of having the run of the place - wasn't crowded, and with three levels to view the wonderful sights and picturesque scenery, it was a real eye opener.
Most people I know that have visited Hoover Dam have visited by road - either by car or bus - well, I am here to tell you that the only to see Hoover Dam is by this fantastic boat from the water. Lake Mead is one beautiful lake ... Surrounded by red mountains that are indescribable, and with the ultimate prize that waits around the corner being Hoover Dam, this is pretty dam close to being the perfect Dam trip :)
The day was really hot. The sun was powerful and as we grappled for shade as we came around the corner and were faced full on with the dam itself, it was just too fantastic a stretch to think that this man made dam was built 70 or 80 years ago. It's history is an interesting one. The town of Boulder was created because of it. The original homes still stand and as you drive to the location, you're surrounded with a thousand points of interest that have been well documented in books and movies over the years. The town itself is an hour away from Vegas by car, but it is indeed a vital part of the history and development of the entire Las Vegas concept. The water level of Lake Mead is a concern and it's quite evident as you start out on the cruise that what we're seeing today on the lake does not in any way resmble what the lake looked like 100 years ago. As we ride close to the shoreline along the way, I would estimate the water level is down by the equivalent of a 10 or 12 story building - its astonishing to see the original waterline far above your head on the rocks lining the lake. And the dam itself is one humongous load of concrete. Just outstanding stuff.
If you ever go to Vegas, I recommend the boat tour as opposed to the bus tour. You'll see so much more, and with beautiful weather all around, it become one of those glorious experiences you'll never forget.
I shall also mention that during the week that I was there in Spetember, Linda and I also attended the Beatles Love Show at Mirage Hotel Casino. The show is one of those Cirque de Soleil offerings that melds about 60 or 70 Beatles tunes with the fantastic Cirque performers. Again, this show is just beyond words. There is so much happening for the 90 minute show that you just don't know where to look next as miracle after miracle happens on that 4 pronged stage with dozens of performers all defying logic and physics. For me, Eleanor Rigby will never be the same ...... it's a show you gotta see more than once. If you're in Vegas and want a sure fire winner show to remember forever, get to The Mirage and see this one. Even if you're not a great Beatles fan, you'll love it. If you are a Beatles freak, you'll be brought to tears with the sound system and as mentioned, the Eleanor Rigby sequence along with the All You Need Is Love at the end is just ...... too good. Great Stuff.