One helluva dam and one damn drive for a big rig!
We had no idea what it would be like driving to Hoover Dam. For some reason, I always pictured it as a long, straight drive. Nope! Not even close to it! Imagine our surprise when five miles from the dam we get stopped by Homeland Security to inspect our rig. They opened our compartments and went inside. We did have to explain why we carried so much propane (we have a propane generator and keep two extra tanks just for it) and asked about our generator. After a few minutes, we were allowed to continue.
Imagine our surprise when we quickly find ourselves in a quick, windy traffic mess – along to see that within a few minutes, not only had we passed the parking areas, but went over the dam! I took several snapshots (yes, I bought black-and-white film) as we were going over so we could have proof we were there! 
I do not recommend this route for RVers with long rigs. We are about 53′ with our extended cab/bed truck and just under 14′ high. It was especially harrowing as we left the dam and headed toward Las Vegas. The first few turns are not the greatest for large rigs.
Extraterrestrial Highway - black and white view!
That trip we continued northward to the infamous Extraterrestrial Highway. Yes, there really is such a road and believe me, after 50 miles of it, you wish you were abducted! The area is so barren and lonely, no wonder people welcome the aliens! We stopped in Rachel at the AL’E'INN, a little cafe-slash-gift shop. Souvenirs are rather pricey, but how many places have you been that sell Area 51 stuff? A funny story about the stop – when we walked in, a man at the counter (in the cafe) was asking the waitress if she heard the funny noises and saw the “lights” the previous night. We didn’t know if they were putting on a show for the tourists with the over-sized RV or not. We were disappointed not to see any “Men in Black” vehicles; however, we did see some interesting “signs” (ie. rock piles) by the road where vehicles had drove into the desert. Could those be the roads to Area 51? Hmm…
Outside Las Vegas, I like to say I saw a UFO!
Keeping that in mind, I took this photo of a UFO outside of Las Vegas. Okay, so it’s not really an alien craft… most likely an advertising blimp… but it is flying object that I can’t technically identify!
Las Vegas at night.
If you are anywhere near Las Vegas, you should stop and see the lights at night. They are several campgrounds near town and even one right along the Strip by Circus Circus. We like to stay at Sam’s Town because they have a regular bus schedule that takes you to various hotels and casinos along the Strip. It’s a great way to see the city without even having to unhook your tow vehicle.
Of course, there is a lot more to Nevada than dams, aliens and casinos…. especially in you haven’t visited amazing Tahoe, Virginia City, Reno… okay, enough from me!
But if you go to NV, just don’t wander too far off the Extraterrestrial Highway!
UPDATED: March 7, 2012
