78. See the Hoover Dam

When the hubby found out one of the guys on his football crew was moving to Vegas, he figured he could stop see him on the way home from Spring Training. Once I saw that we were literally going right by the Hoover Dam, I made that a must stop.

The Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression across the Colorado River on the border of Arizona and Nevada. Prior to 2010, you would have to drive across the Hoover Dam to get from one state to the other. Now you cross the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge to get to the other side of the river. You can not see the Hoover Dam while driving across the bridge.

Now there are several ways to see the Hoover Dam ranging from free to $30/person plus parking. We opted for the free option. A tour of the Hoover Dam and hydro-plant would have been cool but the hubby really wasn't interested.

Our first stop was the Lake Mead over look to see the lake created by the Hoover Dam.

Then it was an attempt at walking across the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge to view the Hoover Dam. I saw attempt because of the hubby's fear of heights and bridges, we didn't make it very far. We made it just far enough for me to snap a few pictures. He wouldn't let me go any further without him. So no selfies in front of the dam.

We then got back in the car and drove across the dam. This is where you get your vehicle inspected, usually a pretty easy process. Got any firearms (peering in all windows)? Nope? Okay, go ahead. I'm sure in peak season, the checkpoint could take awhile.

We parked on the Arizona side (where I was trying to get us to when we ended up off-roading). We walked a bit to take a few pictures. It's over .5 mile to the visitor center from the Arizona parking lots so we walked enough just to see the dam and headed back to the car.

Then it was back in the car to continue our journey to Vegas.

Overall it was a great stop. I would suggest taking at least self guided tour but even if you do it the free route, you get to see enough of it. It definitely worth a side trip if you are in Vegas, the Grand Canyon area, or even Phoenix.