Nevada – RDZ Photography

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

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.

Las Vegas – October 2022 – Fremont East Murals

Art

Fremont Street was the first paved street in Las Vegas, and since the beginning of gambling in the 1930s, was the original center of entertainment until the Strip came along a couple of decades later.

Today Fremont Street has a massive cover (more in a later posting) essentially connecting the downtown hotels. Just to the east, outside of this cover, is an area far less glittery known as Fremont East.

A number of the buildings in Fremont East have large murals.

One building was covered on all sides.

Las Vegas – October 2022 – Downtown Neon

Architecture, Art, History

Our tour of Fremont Street continues with a focus on the neon, and other signs.

Las Vegas – October 2022 – Random Sights

Architecture, Art

A stopover in Las Vegas….

A 14 floor tall mural on the side of the Plaza. It is difficult to tell from this angle but the Plaza was used as the model for Biff’s Hotel in Back to the Future II.

Private Cabanas at the Golden Nugget.

The Giant praying mantis outside the Container Park art colony.

Vegas Vic without working Neon.

Need a lit up liquor store at 6 AM – no problem.

Giant showgirls on the Strip.

The Circus Circus has been along the Strip since 1968.

How to combine a band that broke up 53 years ago along with a circus in a casino in the middle of the desert surrounded by palm trees. True Las Vegas

New York in the desert

And on to Egypt – which actually is in a desert.

Our final stop is Mandalay Bay and their Griffins.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada – October 2022 – Part 2 – Fire Wave Trail

Nature

The Fire Wave Trail at Valley of Fire State Park Nevada takes one across some of the greatest formations any mile and a half hike can give you.

Words aren’t sufficient, so enjoy the photos.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada – October 2022 – Part 1 – Aztec Sandstone Formations

Nature

The Valley of Fire State Park is about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, but a million miles away culturally. The Aztec Sandstone formations are a result of 150 million year old petrified sand dunes.

One of the more interesting aspects of Valley of Fire is the variation in the colors of the rocks.

It is difficult at times to judge the scale of the landscape, until you notice the couple at the bottom center of this photo.

The erosion has left some strangely shaped rocks.

Across The West – Random Photos

Architecture, Art, Nature, Transportation, Water Features

As we travelled about I sometimes get photos that I like but there aren’t enough for a single posting. This is a collection of those random photos.

Tucson – The look back towards the city from Gates Pass Scenic Lookout

Sunset east of Vail, Arizona

Grasslands near Sonoita, Arizona. When you get above 4500′ in elevation in this part of Arizona the desert turns to grasslands.

Winslow, Arizona. Get mentioned in an Eagles song, it ends up as a tourist attraction and mini park.

About 1:10 into the song…

Mexican Hat, Utah

Gooseneck State Park. 1000′ deep!

Bluff, Utah – Twin Rocks Cafe

Southern Utah – A common sight – the dramatic look of irrigated fields in the desert.

Outside of Cortez, Colorado – The cattle drive has ended, along the road to Canyon of the Ancients National Monument.

Somewhere in Western Wyoming

Eastern Nevada – Coming down a mountain going eastbound on I-80, with the interstate continuing into the distance.

West Wendover, Nevada – Wendover Will

Navajo Nation, Arizona – The ubiquitous souvenir stand.

Nevada & Utah – June 2022 – Great Basin and Cedar Breaks

Nature

Our southbound trip continued with brief visits to two National Park Service units. The first was Great Basin National Park in Nevada.

Great Basin National Park’s claim to fame is Wheeler Peak, a 13,000′ high mountain, as well as Lehman Caves.

We were too early in the day to visit the cave, so we headed up the Wheeler Peak drive. Unfortunately as we got to the 9000′ level the road was closed as there was apparently snow further up. Still we had some nice views.

Our trip south continued into Utah, where we headed up into the mountains for a visit to Cedar Breaks National Monument. In my opinion Cedar Breaks is more worthy of National Park status than Great Basin, as the views were amazing.

Virtual Travel – Nevada

Art, Festival, History, Nature, Transportation, Water Features

Unusual State Symbol of the Day.

Official State Locomotive of Nevada – Engine #40 of the Nevada Northern Railway. (photo from Flickr/State Symbols).

Deserts

1946 1958 1961 1970 1979

Nearly the entire state of Nevada is in desert, offering numerous interesting landscapes.

All photos from Internet sources

This satellite view of Las Vegas illustrates the vastness of the desert.

Lake Tahoe

1952 1960 1975 2009 2013

One of the more beautiful places in the United States is Lake Tahoe, on the California/Nevada border.

Situated high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains the area is a ski destination (photo from Freestock photos)

Uniquely Nevada

1953 1972 2017

Without a doubt Nevada has their fair share of unique places.

Hoover Dam – Completed in 1935, this dam cost over 100 workers their lives, but has provided the water and power that has allowed the massive expansion of population in Nevada, Arizona and California.

Over 3 million cubic yards of concrete was used in the dam, with another million yards used in the power plant. This is enough concrete to build a 2 lane road from San Francisco to New York.

Since we visit 15 years ago they have completed the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, routing all the non tourist traffic directly across the canyon. (photo from Wikipedia).

Las Vegas – Love it or hate it there is no other place like it.

Area 51 – Long rumored to be a site where the U.S. Government has made contacts with Alients, Area 51 is a secret Air Force base. It has a strong following of ‘believers’

Burning Man is a massive event that occurs annual in the northwest Nevada desert.

Nevada State Capitol – Carson City

This quaint building is the Nevada State Capitol. It was built from sandstone obtained from the Nevada State Prison.

Cowboys in the Desert

1965 1968 1985 1987

A number of ranches in Nevada cater to the tourist trade.

Outdoors in Nevada

1995 2000 2002 2005 2007 2011

There are a number of beautiful state parks in Nevada (photos from Wikipedia).

Valley of Fire State Park

Ward Charcoal Oven State Historic Park

Las Vegas – December 2011 – Imperial Palace Auto Museum

History, Transportation

The Imperial Palace Hotel houses an Auto Museum on the 5th floor of their parking deck. While it is not the most elegant of auto museums it has a nice eclectic collection.

Apparently the display changes since all the cars and trucks there are for sale, even though they charge admission to view them.