Going to Hoover Dam
 |
The day before the marathon I took a tour of Hoover Dam. While I was an undergraduate in college I worked at hydroelectric power plant in Oklahoma. It was much smaller than Hoover Dam and I wanted to see what a big version was like. This on the road from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam. In the back ground is Lake Mead.
Another View of Lake Mead
 |
At this point the tour bus is approaching Lake Mead on the road from Boulder City to Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam Switchyard
 |
The Hoover Dam switch yard is seen as the tour bus got closer to Hoover Dam. For a closer view of the switchyard, click here.
New Bridge Under Construction
 |
Because of post 9/11 Homeland Security Concerns all vehicle crossing the dam must be inspected. To eliminate the need to inspect and new bypass bridge is being build at the cost of $100 million's of dollar. Is this an earmark by Congress?
Arizona Side Intake Structure
 |
After driving over the dam, the tour bus stopped so that we might take a look at the intake structure. This pictures was taken inside of the bus. At this point the bus is parked on the Arizona side of the river. For other pictures taken on this side of the river <click here>
Inside the Power House
 |
Unfortunately the camera was not adjusted to show the inside of the power house. It looked a lot like the one I worked at in my college summers.
Hoover Dam Overlook
 |
On the building at the entrance to the power plant there was an overlook where one could see the dam and the inlet structure. For a picture of the photographer click here.
Make Wish - Rub Toes
 |
Tradition has it that rubbing the toes of this statue grants wish. Most of the rubbing here is for good luck gambling. The only ones to have really benefited are the casino owners.
For a picture of the photographer click here.