Day 3: Hoover Dam and Las Vegas

The time change was still affecting us: the night ended at 4 am! First, we made some coffee and had sandwiches that we bought yesterday for breakfast. Today, we planned to visit the Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, the Hoover Dam, and explore hotels on the Strip. We headed to the Las Vegas Sign early in the morning and were lucky enough to take photos in peace.

Then we went to the Hoover Dam. We parked in Arizona and walked across the dam to Nevada. This dam is used to store the Colorado River, which recently left the Grand Canyon. The resulting reservoir is called Lake Mead and it is one of the most important sources of fresh water for the cities of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona. However, due to the increasing drought in recent years, the water level is continuously decreasing, posing a threat to the water and power supply of these cities. The photos show the lowered water level.

After visiting the Hoover Dam, we returned to Las Vegas. We went to the Bellagio to see the Botanical Gardens with beautiful flowers.

Then we got a little hungry. What do you eat in Las Vegas or in the US in general? That's right: burgers! They weren't exactly vegan or low carb, but they were damn delicious!

Next, we went to the Mirage. Yes, this is where Siegfried and Roy used to perform. Although they are no longer there, the white tigers and lions still have a permanent home in the Mirage. The facility is very well-maintained with beautiful enclosures. There are also dolphins to admire. Since we were still feeling tired, taking a break in this facility was very nice.

Lastly, we visited the Venetian and, believe it or not, we had to take photos of the restrooms! They are quite impressive.

Overall, the hotel complex in Las Vegas is our favorite. The photos speak for themselves.

By this point, our feet were burning and fatigue was setting in. So, we headed back to our hotel. Tomorrow we have a long drive to the mountains ahead of us.

~ C.