West Quest Part Deux - Day 58
Henderson, Nevada to Hoover Dam (Fail!) to Davis-Monthan, AFB Tucson, Arizona
Thursday, 6 October 2022
All my life I’ve wanted to see the Hoover Dam and today was going to be the day. We deliberately drove out of our way to Henderson, Nevada to set us up for a 2-3 hour tour of the worlds’s most famous dam. We would then camp somewhere halfway to Tucson.
Here’s what things looked like just before we left Revere Golf Club late morning:
They of course don’t call Las Vegas “Sin City” for nothing, and we were glad we kept it at a safe distance since two people were stabbed to death and another six injured as we drove away. Yikes.
Now, about the Hoover Dam. Having worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority for six years, I know they are not going to allow firearms, ammunition, or explosives past a security checkpoint. It makes sense and is reasonable. Driving past the security checkpoint means you consent to a full vehicle search and if found with, say, a firearm, you will be cited. They clearly warn you about this on the Hoover Dam web site.
There are four RV-capable parking lots at the dam. One on the Nevada side, inside the secure area. So we could not park there. Fortunately, on the Arizona side, they show three RV lots outside the secure area, so obviously that’s where you park if traveling with firearms, which we do. So, after wasting a lot of time encountering closed roads to the three Arizona side RV parking areas, I called the main phone number for help. Now, do you think they bother to tell you that the Arizona side parking lots are closed indefinitely and that there are no options available for anyone traveling with firearms? Of course not. I would like to believe there is no deliberate hassling of lawful gun owners going on here but I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what this is. A big F U from the Administration. Let’s Go Brandon!
So, what I got from this effort was this picture of Lake Mead as we approached the dam which is NOT visible from the highway and we never actually saw it.
Note the “bathtub ring” where the water has historically been. The island to the right would normally be mostly under water. Crazy.
Having not spent the time we allotted at the dam, we decided that we could just press to Tucson where we will be spending some time with my dad and stepmom in Oracle, Arizona, which led to another frustration. Army and Air Force base RV parks are called FamCamps and they do not allow reservations. The are always first come, first served, making travel plans uncertain at best. Fortunately, this is not peak season and when I called the Davis-Monthan AFB FamCamp, they said they had over 90 vacant spots and I would most certainly be able to get one even if we arrived late. With this assurance in hand, but no guarantee, we pressed on.
Since I’m ranting a bit, and it was that kind of day, a few thoughts about California. I was born in San Jose and spent about half of my childhood in the state. I’ve lived in Monterey, San Diego, Alameda, and Lemoore. I’ve been pretty much everywhere in the state. It was, without a doubt, the best state in the country for many years including the years I lived there. It’s a true dystopia now and we could not be more glad to have it in the rear view mirror. Sure, we had a wonderful visit with family and friends, and the scenery is gorgeous. But how, for example, gas can be HALF of what it is there by simply driving one or two states away is simply astonishing. And the homeless. It’s simply nuts. Land of fruit and nuts.
Back to the drive, it always amazes me how Maddie and Skipper, when in the back seat, seem to find sleeping on the stuff on the floor more comfortable than sleeping on their bed which is on the back seat! Silly dogs.
We encountered a small rainstorm along the way that provided a beautiful double rainbow.
Having safely arrived at Davis-Monthan AFB well after dark, we picked a spot, had a light dinner, and hit the sack. It was our longest, most frustrating day of the entire summer, but we were safe and in good position to visit with Dad and Sandy in Oracle tomorrow.
With Arizona added, Oliver’s Travels now looks like this:
hello! boy, i was missing your posts...was so glad to see one today. But, sorry for the troubles. That rainbow almost looks like a triple! (if there ever was such a thing!!) Glad to see you adventure-ing on!
God bless you. From Iowa. Tammy.
Wow! Scott and I heard about the stabbings in LV and very glad to know you were camping a bit of distance away from that nonsense. So sorry about your Hoover Dam sight seeing trip.....we new that was going to be a highlight of the this part of your trek! Glad you've arrived though in AZ. Enjoy the time with your Dad and family!! and thank you for continuing to document your travels for all of us following along! It truly feels as if we're alongside! love it!