March 27th -, 2013 – Overton Nv

March 27th -, 2013 –  Overton Nv                                          Weather – lo 56/ high 82 scattered cloud

Total Kilometers this trip -  12799.6                                             Km travelled this day – 0

Our big day today, did not quite pan out like we had envisioned, but we had fun and interesting time nevertheless.

We travelled Hwy 169 along Lake Mead to the Hoover Dam.  This was a very nice road, easily travelled by car or RV, and very scenic.

 nice road

 very colorful

Lake Mead

 Lake Mead - approx 120 feet below normal - due to construction of waterway to Las Vegas

Once we got to the Hoover Dam, before lunch, the crowds were immense.  We were told that this is because of school break.  We travelled down to the dam, the first two parking lots were full, and they said we would have to park on the other side, so we drove across the dam.  The next parking lot was full, and the next, and the next, by this time we were almost 2 miles from the visitors site, so we turned around and headed back up towards the bridge, we were going to do the bridge walk.  When we got to the parking lot, there were police there, and they motioned to keep going.  As we were heading into Boulder City, other police, ambulance, fire trucks etc. came screaming by us, and the locals knew, no smoke, so it was another jumper, sadly it was.

 So with all of this going on, we did not make it to the Hoover Dam tour.

 forebay of dam

 view of new bridge from dam level

 looking downstream

 cable crane from one side of river to other

 looking down from roadway

Hoover Dam

As we were going through yesterday, we noticed there was a steam train and model train advertisement.  We went to it today, steam train is closed for the winter (what  winter), and the model train set was being set up outside for a big extravaganza on April 6, 7 and 8.

So not having seen much except lots of beautiful scenery, we decided to head to the coach.  We took a different way home, and headed through the Valley of Fire State Park.  Again lots of beautiful scenery, and interesting how the rock has been carved over the years.The color of the rock is especially interesting.

 road to White Dome

As we got home late, Donna and Terry had worked all day, we decided to get Chinese food from the local restaurant. It was delicious.

In the evening we showed them some pics of animals and the 1984 FC.

Special People Today – AZ Bird Group – as with other groups of Bird owners, we were welcomed quickly into the fold.  We spent time with them at Quartzite, White Tank and through them with Fred and Wendy as now with Donna and Terry.  Just remember, when you come north, make a point to stop or at least give us a call.