Nevada - 20th September to 1st October

Hoover Dam and Las Vegas, Nevada

Good WIDE ANGLE lens?

 

  

20^th September – Before entering the Hoover Dam the RV had to undergo a quick search by a Security Officer.  Again they were looking for guns and explosives. 

Allen said the only thing exploding around here was ME!   

Nevada         I         Arizona

The Dam was located approximately 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas right on the Nevada-Arizona border. 

We crossed a time zone so had to change our clocks and watches again for the umpteenth time.  

 

Memorial to those who lost their lives building the Dam

Construction of the Hoover Dam began in 1931 and was completed 5 years later.   There were various plaques and statues dotted around as a memorial to the legends who worked and died there during construction.

Original Gantry used during construction

  

It still ranks as an engineering miracle as it took over 200 engineers to pull off what many thought an impossible task. 

White line on rock indicates level when dam is full.

The Colorado River had to be diverted and the riverbed dredged clear to expose a rock foundation before construction could begin. 

  

 

Now the Dam proudly stands 726 ft tall, 1,244 ft long and the base 660 ft thick.   

Spillway & Overflow

The 2 spillways are 27 feet below the top of the Dam, one on each side.  
 Any water the spillway can’t handle goes down this gigantic hole.

.

The O’Callaghan-Tillman Bridge opened in December 2010 and this was a much needed bypass to alleviate the traffic congestion on both sides of the border.

 

 

Oasis RV Resort, Las Vegas

Oh it’s good to be back.  On our last trip we voted this Resort BEST EVER and it still holds the title.   It was great to see the same Receptionist and say Hi to the lovely “Jo” who works in the Cabana Market and she remembered us!  It’s all exactly the same. 

Reception

Entry

 

We lazed by the Pool, read our books and listened to the music.  Life doesn’t get any better than this!   

Oasis Pool

Having said that, at 6.30pm things took a turn for the worse.  We thought it would be fun to listen to the Baby Boomers Karaoke.  Huge mistake! 


The BB-ers came out of the woodwork and warbled their little hearts out.  The singing was woeful but the double rum and cokes certainly helped.

The next day we couldn’t wait to check out The Strip. 

Unfortunately there’s nowhere to park an RV in Vegas so we thought we’d use public transport. 


 

The nearest bus stop was situated on the hectic LV Boulevard and not a good place to stand for any length of time.  Carbon monoxide fumes and lack of shelter from the sun were a slight problem but I had every confidence in Allen who had a timetable and survival kit.   Travelling around by public transport is always a laugh and we seem to make lots of friends during our excursions. 

Vegas Baby!!  

We hit the town!

Lindy Lou & Al-pal in Las Vegas

The traffic in Sin City was gridlocked, it was hot, crowded, noisy and packed with every kind of weirdo imaginable.  Bring it on!

Al was hanging out for a Steak & Kidney Pie, not something easily found in the US but never say never!  We walked a million miles to find a British Pub and the Queen Victoria saved the day. 

 










Al devoured his Pie and I had good old pommy Toad-in-the-Hole!  A welcome change from burger and fries.    

The evening was to be an event I will never (ever) forget.  The Fremont Experience is held in the original old part of Vegas. 

Fremont Street Mall is over 4 blocks long and the roof is like an arched steel canopy filled with computer controlled lights.  On the hour, from 7pm to midnight, the roof is transformed into an amazing light and sound show.  

 











 

Seven days a week they have at least 3 bands playing at different stages in the Mall.  Suspended from the roof are a number of flying foxes (zip lines) and while you are listening to the bands people are flying over the top of your head usually screaming their lungs out.  Crazy.

You are not considered ‘cool’ unless you have a 3ft Cocktail hanging around your neck.  No, we didn’t indulge as we had to catch the last bus home!  

 
The Hollywood look-alikes were everywhere and for a small donation you could have your photograph taken with them. We saw 3 Elvis’s chatting together and one looked like a midget.  His wig was taller than his body.

Dancers were doing their thing on the bar and the DJ with the fuzzy hair was leaping around the stage getting everyone revved up.  

She yelled out, "Who's here to get wasted??!!".  The crowd roared.
Come on Al, we need those 3ft cocktails!

Line Dancing

 

We saw a lot of homeless people congregate at the end of the Mall but we thought what a wonderful place to be homeless.  A party every night.  They mixed in with the crowd and by the end of the night it was just one big mad house. 

 



 

On another day we went to The Strip and did a tour of the big Hotels and Casinos.  

Caesars Casino & Paris Casino

I lost my $1.00

 

 Excalibur Hotel

Stratosphere Casino/Hotel

The Venetian

For those wanting something romantic The Venetian had its own authentic gondolas.  The singing gondolier floats under the bridges and beside the cafes.  Hard to believe this is all inside a hotel.

Bellagio Hotel

Of course The Bellagio fountains are always a popular show.  The dramatic combination of music, water and light make the fountains come alive.  




 

  

We picked up cheap tickets for the Jersey Boys who were playing at Paris.  We’ve been hanging out for years to see this show and we weren’t disappointed.   

Sam’s Town RV Resort, Las Vegas

Sam’s Town was a little further out from all the action but it was a nice family RV Park and well worth the money.   We qualified for a special late summer rate and it ended up really cheap.

They had their own Casino and Ten Pin Bowling Centre so we thought we’d have a go at bowling. 

 

Can’t remember the last time we played and it showed.  The first game was disastrous, we couldn’t hit a thing but the second game was a little more encouraging.  You must agree we have a style of our own!

In the evening we walked over to the Casino to watch the wonderful Mystic Light Show.  I dragged Allen along as we both knew it was going to be corny.   

It was held in the centre of the Casino in an open air courtyard.  Stuffed wild animals and birds were strategically placed around the fake rockery.  You could almost smell the moth-balls.

 









During the light show a big bear reared up and a wolf came out of a cave and howled over the music.  The Grand Finale was one verse of God Bless America with all the animals singing.  I told you it was cheesy!  Couldn’t see Allen for dust.

What???

A Real One Arm Bandit

The good thing about Sam’s Town was that it offered a free Shuttle Bus into Vegas.  For me, The Strip was like a magnet, I just couldn’t stay away.  

 











One hot steamy day we went to The Rio and sat by the pool. 

No, that's not a growth on my head!

 
We treated ourselves to a Pina Colada and watched with great interest how ‘boy meets girl’ in the modern world.






The alcohol flowed, the male testosterone was pumping and the girls were not exactly shrinking violets.  One young man was led away by 2 Bouncers for being a little too over exuberant.  Won’t tell you what he did…..but Al was taking notes!!!!  

There I've washed it off now. OK.

We loved Vegas, we’ll be back.

                           End of  22^nd Post