Dams – RDZ Photography

San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona – March 2023 – Coolidge Dam

The Gila River runs for hundreds of miles through New Mexico and Arizona. For centuries it ran wild, sometimes flooding, many times dry, until the early 1900s when the U.S. federal government built a number of dams.

The Coolidge Dam was started during the administration of Calvin Coolidge, finally being completed in 1930, after Silent Cal was out of office. Regardless Cal and his wife came to this remote area of Arizona for the dedication.

Also there was noted satirist Will Rogers, who when he gazed out at what was supposed to be a lake behind the dam, but was nothing but tall grasses because of an ongoing drought remarked ‘someone should mow the lake’.

Not long ago it was almost back down to nothing but weeds but thanks to a very rainy couple of monsoon seasons and a equally rainy winter, the lake is back.

The dam and lake is located in a mountainous area of the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

The dam is designed with three concrete domes, supported by buttresses. After 100 years of Arizona weather, the dam looks a bit rough, even with major reconstruction in the 1990s.

The dam is 580′ long, and consists of a 2 lane roadway.

The art deco architecture of it’s 1920s construction is evident.

The dam is 249′ above the Gila River.

The reservoir behind the dam is known as San Carlos Lake.

U.S. route 70 is a major 2 lane route through much of Arizona (and across the country). It’s original design ran straight from Safford to Globe, but once the dam and lake were completed it was re-routed to take a scenic route up to and across the dam, before returning to the main route.

After about 20 years the straighter route was repurposed for U.S. 70, but by this time the state had placed mile markers on the longer, dam route. As a result when the road returned to it’s original route, it was ‘missing’ 12 miles. Rather than replace all the mile markers from here to New Mexico, they just skipped it, so to this day if you drive along U.S. 70 the mile markers make an unexplained 12 mile jump. The Arizona DOT has a page detailing this anomoly. https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/case-us-70s-missing-12-miles

The dam route was obviously built for the U.S. highway system of the 1930s as there are bridges across all of the washes, but the road doesn’t look as though it has been repaved in 90 years. Though bumpy as hell, it is a scenic ride.

Hoover Dam, Arizona (and Nevada) – October 2022 – Soon to Hold No Water

Architecture, History, Water Features

A stop by Hoover Dam in the early morning light, with few other tourists around.

The well known multi decade drought and over use has resulted in Lake Mead being the lowest levels ever since the dam was completed in the mid 1930s.

The dam was built at the height of the art deco period, with examples everywhere.

While water conservation is a key component of the dam, so is the power generation. On this day we were too early in the day to take the interior tour of the turbines.

The bypass bridge was completed in 2010.

The dam remains an architectural and engineering marvel nearly 100 years after it’s completion. Let’s hope with better water policies and some rain Lake Mead returns to a more acceptable level.

Page, Arizona – June 2022 – Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam

Nature, Transportation, Water Features

The Glen Canyon Dam was completed along the Colorado River in 1966, creating Lake Powell. The lake can hold as much as 25 million acre feet of water, but is currently only at 27%. The photos of that shortage are dramatic.

At 710′ high, it is the 4th tallest dam in the United States.

A look down river at the canyon.

The rock formations around the canyon have some of the distinctive swirls.

Once you cross the bridge you get some dramatic views of the dam, bridge and lake. For those unfamiliar the ‘bathtub ring’ indicates the high water marks.

Vernal, Utah – May 2022 – From Dinosaurs to Flaming Gorges

History, Nature

The small city of Vernal, Utah is in the far northeastern corner of the state. It is a short distance from two impressive, albeit very different, landmarks.

First is Dinosaur National Monument. While the entire park contains archaeological sites, as well as impressive canyons and rivers, it’s fame is due to the ‘Quarry’, an excavated wall with over 1500 dinosaur bones dating from 149 million years ago.

While some complete dinosaurs were removed and shipped to the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, the wall retains the ‘scraps’

This important wall is preserved in an enclosed space.

While most are fragments, washed upon a long ago sea, one is nearly whole.

The remainder are scattered about.

Just north of town, at the Wyoming border, is Flaming Gorge. This reservoir is a result of the damming of the Green River at the Flaming Gorge Dam, towering 500′ high.

The resulting reservoir is immense, covering 3.8 million acre feet of water.

The Flaming Gorge comes from it’s location (among others) in Red Canyon, with it’s vertical walls accenting the water.

Southeastern Ohio – October 2020 – Random Views

Architecture, History, Nature, Transportation, Water Features

While travelling around for great drone views, there are still plenty of views from the ground.

Rock Mill and Covered Bridge – Fairfield County

Fairfield County Fall Views.

Interesting pattern to a vacant building covered in weeds in bloom, in October.

Fall views in Licking County.

Dillon Reservoir.

Fall view with Muskingum River in the background.

Industrial Scene in Zanesville.

Dam and Locks in Philo.

Vintage bridge in McConnellsville.

Classic architecture in McConnellsville.

Former coal mining town of Glouster.

Virtual Travel – Oklahoma

Architecture, Art, Festival, History, Museum, Nature, Sciences, Sports, Transportation, Water Features

Today’s stop is Oklahoma.

In the early 1800s the United States government was taking over Native American land at a fast pace. One of the concepts they came up with for the people they were displacing was to create ‘Indian Territory’ in the middle of the country. The map below shows how the area that was to become the state of Oklahoma was divided up amongst the various tribes.

In 1889 the government was going to open up the area in the middle that was ‘unassigned’. The plan was to allow people to head for this land at noon on April 22, 1889, however a number of people took off early, despite a ‘sooner clause’ stating anyone who did would be denied land. Originally the term Sooner was derogatory, but now it is embraced by most Oklahomans.

In downtown Oklahoma City there is a large statue collection celebrating that day.

Oklahoma became a state in 1907. The current State Capitol building was completed in 1917, and has the unique feature of a working oil well on the grounds.

Unusual state symbols of the day

Official State Caricature Artist – Teresa Farrington

State Monument – Golden Driller – This guy is huge – 76′ tall.

Native Americans

1958 1991 1993

The Native American culture is celebrated far and wide throughout Oklahoma. The largest celebration is the Red Earth Festival.This multi day cultural event includes a parade. (photo from Wikipedia)

Everywhere you go you see signs of the Native culture. Many are excellent tributes, but some are a bit more commercial (like the gas stations with tepees).

Nature

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Oklahoma is mostly a vast plains.

Oklahoma is known as the center of tornado alley, having suffered from numerous deadly tornadoes each year. The National Weather Center is located in Norman, and has a collection of weather collecting devices on display.

There are a few areas that aren’t flat plains, like Gloss Mountain.

2019 05 29 151 Fairview OK Gloss Mountain State Park

2019 05 29 121 Fairview OK Gloss Mountain State Park

2019 05 29 117 Fairview OK Gloss Mountain State Park

2019 05 29 109 Fairview OK Gloss Mountain State Park

2019 05 29 114 Fairview OK Gloss Mountain State Park

There are also hills in Southeastern Oklahoma. (photo from Pintrest)

As you travel around the state you come across a number of random sights.

2019 05 29 161 Jet OK Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

2019 05 29 162 Jet OK Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

2019 05 29 110 Fairview OK Gloss Mountain State Park

Transportation

1980 1995 1996 2008 2011

Wait, was it left on 28 or right on 82….

Oil is big business in Oklahoma, once home of Phillips Petroleum.

Darryl Starbirds’ National Rod and Custom Hall of Fame is located in far eastern Oklahoma. Well worth going out of your way to get there.

2019 05 30 132 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

2019 05 30 51 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

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2019 05 30 35 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

2019 05 30 114 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

2019 05 30 116 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

2019 05 30 90 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

2019 05 30 68 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

2019 05 30 65 Afton OK Darryl Starbird Custom Cars

Grand River Dam.

Cities and Towns

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Oklahoma City is the state capitol, and largest city (not by much – Tulsa is nearly as large). It is a nice city, with a decent downtown, and a hipster neighborhood called Bricktown.

Tulsa – As noted, Tulsa is nearly as large as OKC. It has long been a center of the oil industry.

Tulsa has always been a center of the music scene, with the ‘Tulsa Sound’. Eric Clapton is such a fan, most of his band is usually made up of Tulsans.

Bartlesville was the headquarters of Phillips Petroleum. It is home to a landmark Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper.

2019 05 29 251 Bartlesville OK Price Tower

2019 05 29 255 Bartlesville OK Price Tower

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2019 05 29 228 Bartlesville OK Price Tower

2019 05 29 225 Bartlesville OK Price Tower

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2019 05 29 217 Bartlesville OK Price Tower

Oklahoma seems to be a center for statues.

Just south of Oklahoma City is the Museum of Osteology. Oklahoma was surprisingly interesting, well worth a visit.

Virtual Travel – New Hampshire

Architecture, Art, History, Museum, Nature, Sciences, Sports, Transportation, Water Features

Welcome to the Granite State – New Hampshire.

Daniel Webster stands guard over the state capitol in Concord.

The city of Concord is one of the smaller state capitols, with only 43,000 residents. (photo from Wikipedia)

New Hampshire has their fair share of unique State Symbols. (photos from Statesymbols.org)

State Amphibian – Red Spotted Newt

State Beverage – Apple Cider

Mountains & Seasons

1962 1973 1977 2001 2010

Most of the small state of New Hampshire is mountainous, as a northern portion of the Appalachians. Being just a few hours drive from Boston, the state has been a tourist attraction for 150 years.

The maps have often celebrated this physical feature of the state.

The highest, and most famous is Mount Washington. At 6288′ (1918m) it is one of the tallest mountains in the east. It is legendary as having the strongest recorded wind in the country, 231 MPH (372 KPH) before the anemometer blew away. (all photos from Wikipedia)

The Mount Washington Cog Railway has been a tourist attraction since 1868. This was the world’s first cog railway, and remains to this day as the 2nd steepest railway in the world, having some grades as steep as 37%.

A much smaller mountain in the far southern part of the state is home to the Andres Art Institute. Since 1996 Paul Andres has invited artists from all over the world to come to this former ski area to create their stone and metal sculptures.

It is a workout to see them all, but well worth the effort.

2019 08 02 100 Brookline NH Andres Art Institute

2019 08 02 25 Brookline NH Andres Art Institute

2019 08 02 67 Brookline NH Andres Art Institute

2019 08 02 76 Brookline NH Andres Art Institute

2019 08 02 83 Brookline NH Andres Art Institute

The most popular tourist season is fall, with the changing of the leaves. The Kancamagus Highway is one of the most scenic routes in the state, having been designated as a National Scenic Byway. (photo from Tripsavvy.com)

Among the attractions along this route are the Albany Covered Bridge.

The Flume Gorge

Sabbaday Falls (photo from NewEnglandWateralls.com)

Finally – we visit Rocky Gorge. (photo from Alltrails.com)

Lakes and Rivers

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There are numerous lakes and rivers throughout the state. The largest, and most popular is Lake Winnipesaukee. This lake is 69 square miles, and has over 250 islands scattered throughout it. (photo from Wikipedia)

There are a number of large rivers throughout the state including the Connecticut River – separating New Hampshire from Vermont. This river travels 406 miles from it’s start at the Quebec border to the Long Island Sound.

There are an amazing 15 dams in the 406 miles, most in the upper areas of the river. The largest of these is the Moore Reservoir Dam, providing electrical power, flood control and recreation. (photo from EcoPhotography.com). Interestingly the dam, and many others, are owned by a Canadian company.

New Hampshire has a small, but well developed, Atlantic Coastline. The shore is only 13 miles long, wedged between Massachusetts and Maine.

The largest town along the coast is Portmouth. (photos from Boston Magazine.com)

Non Natural Attractions

The largest city in the state is Manchester. In the early 1800s a canal was opened around a natural waterfalls that spurred the development of water powered cotton mills, prompting one of the early developers to proclaim it is ‘The Manchester of America’ . The former mills line the waterway to this day. (photos from Wikipedia)

The small town of Warner is home to the New England Telephone Museum. This small, but comprehensive museum has a large collection of telephones, and telephone company equipment from the earliest days through the 1990s.

2019 08 01 176 Warner NH New Hampshire Telephone Museum

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2019 08 01 212 Warner NH New Hampshire Telephone Museum

Across America – May 2019 – Random Scenes Part 2

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation, Water Features

Central Tennessee – Bus Graveyard

Northern Alabama – Rock Zoo

Scottsboro, Alabama – Did you ever lose your luggage on an airplane and never get it back. It likely ended up here, as they buy all of the unclaimed luggage from the airlines and sell it in essentially a thrift store.

Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Bartlesville, Oklahoma – Phillips 66 Petroleum Company Headquarters

Vinita, Oklahoma – Will Rogers Rodeo

Eastern Oklahoma – Pensacola Dam. A mile long and releasing a lot of water because of the recent rains.

Joplin, Missouri – America’s 2nd largest truck stop.

Southern Missouri – Presumed dead armadillo

Somewhere else in Southern Missouri – Coke Machine Graveyard

Scenes around Cairo, Illinois – At the confluence of the Ohio River and Mississippi River – with flooding.

Evansville, Indiana – Restored Greyhound Bus Station, now a hipster hamburger place. Manhattan prices in small town Indiana.

The interior looked nothing like a bus station.

Evansville, Indiana – County Courthouse

Scenes around Louisville, Kentucky

And after 3 weeks of running around the country – back in Ohio (in Cincinnati). Only 2 hours to home.

Columbus – February 2019 – The Ice is Back

Nature, Water Features

This weekend is a bit of a repeat from last weekend with visits to icy places and botanical gardens (to recover from the cold)

While Columbus doesn’t have anything close to Lake Erie, they do have a few streams that have enough drop to have small waterfalls, including Indian Run Falls in Dublin.

The falls are very small, but with enough splash onto the rocks for some nice ice formations.

As noted in the Cleveland ice posting it had warmed up and rained (a lot) but it is now very cold again, resulting in frozen puddles, with interesting patterns frozen in them.

Further down river is Hayden Run Falls, the best in town. There is a nice boardwalk to get back to the falls, crossing over the flooded bottom.

After a short distance you arrive at the falls. The Featured Image for this posting has a closer photo of the falls.

Everything within 200′ of the falls had a nice coating on it from the continual mist coming off the water, although mostly on the side facing the falls.

The ravine walls had numerous icicles all over them

As we made our way back down the boardwalk we could hear the ducks quacking away.

Our last stop was Griggs Dam. Again with all the recent rain and snow melt off there is flooding, so the dam’s for the reservoirs are running at full capacity.

With this being a dam, and not a waterfalls there is little spray to cause ice formation right at the dam, but just down stream the trees along the banks were covered in ice.