I. Hoover Dam 19.8.18

Since the Hoover Dam is only 45 minutes away from Las Vegas, we spontaneously included it in our itinerary. On the way there, you pass by the Lake Meadview View Point, which we skipped because there are better opportunities for a view.

Before reaching the actual dam, you should venture onto the incredibly spectacular Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. This arch bridge is an incredible 270m high and a bridge engineering masterpiece that connects Nevada with Arizona over a length of 580m. The winds on the bridge are extreme, so it is recommended not to wear hats or caps 😂 The rock faces are full of various models 😜

From the bridge to the dam, it is only a few minutes drive, but first you pass through a security checkpoint. Or so we thought. Unlike most other cars, we were actually waved over, had to exit the car, and then the trunk and engine were inspected, and a bomb mirror was used all around. But since we didn't carry any bombs, we were allowed to continue shortly after 😬

Once on the dam and looking down, it is gigantic. From a distance, everything looks much smaller. But since this structure impounds the Colorado River into Lake Mead, it must be huge, as Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States. You can take a guided tour, but we skipped it because of the heat and the lure of Las Vegas 😜