Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

November took us to Las Vegas for one of our best friend's wedding.  We got in the day before and decided to explore the Hoover Dam.  On the way there, we stopped at Lake Mead (the lake created from the Colorado River when the Hoover Dam was built).  Lake Mead is so beautiful and crystal clear blue.  What an amazing accomplishment that project was of the Hoover Dam.  We enjoyed learning the history of the politics behind the project, the impact on the economy during the time of the Great Depression and of course the construction feat of the dam - which was completed under budget and ahead of schedule (imagine that ;)..).

http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/

 

This is a picture of the power plant on the Nevada side.

This is us on the way to the Hoover Dam, stopping along one of the overlooks for Lake Mead.

A wonderful view of the lake and the desert.

A picture of how the dam works - with the water flow to the power plant and safety valves.
We also took a tour into the dam (just reopened for tour this year after being closed since 9-11).  Our tour guide had grown up playing inside the dam, because her father was a manager at the plant / dam... she had some fascinating stories and history behind the building of the dam.  This picture is inside one of the air ducts within the dam.

A picture from within the dam - looking upward.
Another picture from within the dam looking down and out - what a view!
And here's a picture with the happy couple at the reception!
Afterwards, we went to the Bellagio on the strip to see the decorations for the holiday and the water fountain music show...
Another pic inside the Bellagio..
Water fountain show to music...
Another shot of the water fountain show...