This is Part 3 of Kevin and Gail's Vacation Adventure.

Wednesday morning, we woke up relatively early. I was feeling maybe a tiny bit queasy. We go to the Paris buffet. Which is really all you need to know, because I have no self control, and literally ate myself sick. But, the food was really good. Mmmmm.

Anyways, after eating breakfast/lunch, we jumped in the car and headed to a music store, which according to our guide book, is the best in the state of Nevada. I was feeling like I might throw up on the CDs, so I'm not really sure I'm a good judge. Kevin did find a few CDs, but not the ones he was looking for.

We jump back in the car, and proceed to drive to the Grand Canyon. But, we plan a stop at the Hoover Dam.

I really should point out that I didn't actually _tell_ Kevin that I felt like death warmed over. Let's just say I was _really_ happy to see a bathroom when we got to the Hoover Dam. I should have taken a picture of the door and labeled it "Gail's Favorite Part of the Trip". Well, that's not actually accurate. Because the Hoover Dam is damn cool.

One thing you notice is that once you leave Boulder City, you are pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but then, all of a sudden, there are a million electrical wires and other evidence of man - its as if we just stomped a massive footprint in the middle of the desert.

I took this picture from the Hoover Dam itself, but it illustrates what you see as you approach the Hoover Dam. They were blasting that day, which added a bit to the experience.



The Hoover Dam is really massive. I mean, you know its big, but when you get there, its almost overwhelming. Here are the intake towers - they sit in the Lake Powell side.



The water is actually really low right now - about 30 feet below average. You can see it in the limestone deposits left behind on the cliffs by the lake water - the water is usually up that high.



This picture is of the Colorado River - again, see all the towers and electrical lines?



Of course, here is a picture of the dam itself.



And of the base of the dam - I think Kevin took this picture. I had vertigo something fierce if I even attempted to look down.



Our coolest souvenir of the entire trip is the stuffed animal ringtail cat we bought from the little window that sells the "official" souvenirs - there are two shops on the dam, but they didn't have anything decent. But, I love this little guy - the ringtail is the mascot of Hoover Dam because it hides in the tunnels, and the workers just see their little eyes.



We got back in the car (after another bathroom break), and headed to the Grand Canyon. Its a pretty long drive, and we didn't get there until after dark, so we had to wait until the next day to go. The Quality Inn right outside the Park entrance has very very good beds. Lots of pillows, a nice down comforter, and a comfy mattress. Which was important, because I spent the entire evening moaning in pain in bed. Kevin was sweet and took very good care of me, though.