Hoover Dam

We thought we would go on a family excursion during the Holiday Break.  We knew Matt would be going back to work shortly, and it seemed like a good day.  Unfortunately hundreds of other people had the same idea.  It seemed a bit crowded, but from the numbers of visitors that the tour guides were quoting, maybe they are always busy.  

None of us had ever been there before.   I had a tiny glimpse when I ran the 6 tunnels to Hoover Dam race last year, but those 2 seconds at the turn around didn't give much perspective.  The Dam is huge and still impressive by today's standards, but it is a complete marvel and wonder if you put it back in its historical place.  And 75 years later, it is still producing huge amounts of clean energy.  How did the engineers plan it??  It is amazing. 

Waiting to go in to see the introductory movie. 

Jess is trying to turn one of the few remaining extra bolts, like the one in the picture.

Walking to see the generator room.

There are 8 big generators on the Nevada side and 8 more in Arizona.  

Those planners included the space for all this even though it took decades to get all the generators built,  up and running.  This dam was built in the most desolate spot without any semblance of civilization nearby.  But now there are plenty happy to use all the energy and water. 

Isaac generating some electrical power of his own in the museum.

This is looking down at the bottom of the dam.  You can see where one generator in AZ is pumping water out.

THAT is the new bridge just finished a few months ago to bypass the dam road. 

It was a little windy.  

The Lake Mead side.  The water has only been up to that water line twice in the dam history; once when it was first finished, and once in the 80's.  

Rub the angel's feet for good luck.