First stop, Hoover Dam

So today, 24 July 2009, at 10:33am we headed out for our sixteen day road trip. We estimate that in this time we will cover eight states. Our trip is focusing on national parks and making sure that we capture the beauty of the United States. Our first stop was the Hoover Dam. Its only about 30 minutes outside of Las Vegas, depending on traffic. I would suggest if you are heading there, you get an early start. We got there around 11:30 and on our way back, close to noon, there was a ridiculous amount of traffic. Remember when traveling, the early bird gets the best pictures without loads of other tourists in them. ☺ The dam is absolutely massive and the area surrounding it is amazingly beautiful. We parked the car on the opposite side of the Dam and took pictures before we walked to the center of the Dam.

Have you ever done something, thinking that it was a good idea but once you are in the midst of doing it you begin to wonder how you ended up there in the first place? Well that’s how I felt walking across the Hoover Dam in 101 degree desert heat. It was absolutely miserable. I only lasted about ten minutes before the five minute trek back to the car which consisted of about 40 steps. Ugh. But even though the heat was unbearable, I got some amazing pictures. If you are ever in Vegas, take the time out to go see this national monument.