One of Three - Nevada

Moving west, we decided to drive through the tip of Nevada as we traveled from Arizona to California. It had to be a quick visit since we had a "date" to visit our friend Marmot in Los Angeles for the weekend.  We loved the red road! This route took us along the Colorado River to the Black Canyon - the location of the Hoover Dam.  Although we saw it, we did not take the time to get into the long line to actually visit it. We did learn that the dam was called Boulder Dam originally.  At the base the concrete is 660 feet thick and 45 feet at the crest. The dam was completed in 1936, and that resulted in Lake Mead and the recreation area that surrounds it.  (In addition to the parks, the national park service has National Recreation Areas.) This included the campground where we stayed, right on the lake, for $5. What a privilege!

     As we traveled from Boulder City to a town called Searchlight we noticed a large commercial solar power operation.  The large poles seem to be holding solar collectors.  It was very eerie to see these large reflectors glaring at us from miles away.

Without any fanfare or sign, we crossed into California and entered part of the Mojave Desert.

I have come to enjoy these arid but interesting places.  We saw Joshua Trees and many flowers blooming in this drought-stricken part of our country.

           Joshua Trees

As I noted the next stop is LA with our friend Marmot, so I started to brace myself for the dreaded word "freeway".  Next post will take us there.  

I did think I would add a little funny footnote featuring Latona.  (My posts are linear and I hope not too boring.  I am hoping the pictures really tell the story of our journey.) Anyway, she often finds ways to let her sense of humor shine.  Here she is at Carlsbad...

All our best, and "two of three"coming  very soon.