2012 SW Travel Destinations - HOOVER DAM and the MIKE O'CALLAGHAN - PAT TILLMAN MEMORIAL BRIDGE

"Welcome, everyone. I am your dam guide, Arnie. Now, I'm about to take you through a fully functional power plant, so please, no one wander off the dam tour. And please, take all the dam pictures you want. Now, are there any dam questions?"...VEGAS VACATION

Right in our backyard...there's a tiny bit more to NV than just the gaming.  Named one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century, Hoover Dam continues to draw crowds of nearly a million visitors a year, more than 70 years after its creation.  Considered to be the world’s largest dam and an engineering marvel at the time of its construction in the 1930s, Hoover Dam brings much-needed water and power for public/private utilities in Nevada, Arizona, and California.  Located in the Black Canyon, about 30 miles SE of Las Vegas, Hoover Dam straddles the mighty Colorado River, which forms the border between Nevada and Arizona.

Since 1900, the Black and Boulder Canyons had been investigated for their potential to support a dam that would control floods, provide irrigation water and produce hydroelectric power. In 1928, Congress authorized the project, and construction began in 1930.   Despite the remote location and harsh working conditions, it was completed in less than five years - two years ahead of schedule, and well under budget.   The lowest wage for a Hoover Dam worker was 50 cents an hour - the highest was $1.25.  “High scalers”, the workers who hung from ropes on the canyon walls as they drilled with jackhammers and packed dynamite, included circus acrobats, among others.

Hoover Dam is 726 feet high, 45 feet thick at the top and 660 feet at the bottom, and is larger than the Great Pyramid of Cheops.  The dam is filled with 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete, or enough to pave a strip 16 feet wide and 8 inches thick from San Francisco to New York City.  If the heat produced by the curing concrete could have been concentrated in a baking oven, it could have baked 500,000 loaves of bread per day for three years.

Holding back Lake Mead, the dam is located near quaint Boulder City, Nevada, a municipality originally constructed solely for workers on the dam project.  Boulder City is the only town in Nevada to prohibit gambling, a regulation imposed in the 1930s.

The Bureau of Reclamation has offered tours of this National Historic Landmark since 1937.  Tourists are not only intrigued by the immense size of the dam and its huge hydroelectric generators, but also by the elegant Art Deco designs on the dam’s four towers, spillways, and power plant. The Nevada side plaza features two Modernist-style bronze sculptures called the Winged Figures of the Republic and a polished terrazzo floor. Here you’ll also find a plaque commemorating the 96 workers who died during the dam’s construction. Contrary to a popular myth, however, no workers are buried in the dam’s concrete.

Two tours of the dam are currently available, and are well worth the time and money spent.   The view from the dam also offers a breathtaking look at Lake Mead, the country's largest man-made reservoir. Although water levels have been low recently, Lake Mead can store up to 9.2 trillion gallons of water, equal to two years of the river's annual flow. It also has become a popular recreation area, sought out by more than 9 million visitors each year.

A spectacular four-lane highway bridge arching across the Colorado River opened in late 2010 and carries traffic between Nevada and Arizona. Completed in October 2010, the "Mike O' Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge" offers breathtaking views that were once only available by helicopter.  The original two-lane highway across the dam could no longer handle the 14,000 vehicles that travel here each day. Construction on the 1,900-foot-long structure began in 2005. An impressive feat of engineering, the supporting twin-rib arch span echoes the elegant curves of the dam itself.

The bypass bridge, located approximately 1,500 feet south of the dam, is 1,900 feet long. The arch span stretches 1,060 feet, and the deck stands 900 feet above the river. The bridge’s pedestrian walkway gives visitors expansive views of Hoover Dam, Black Canyon, Colorado River and Lake Mead.  Visitors have access to drive to the bridge and then take a walking path.

We did this trek in mid July, so were very appreciative of the drizzly weather that day, when our summer heat can hit highs of 127 degrees.  The brighter pictures here were taken yesterday (April 3rd).  I had heard that there is a spectacular shadow cast by the bridge across the face of the dam, in the late afternoon...not knowing exactly how to gauge the exact (or close) time, I arrived about 2 hrs. too soon for the full spectacle - two hours before sunset should just about do it, for anyone interested in some spectacular shots of their own.

Visitors can cross from Nevada to Arizona on the 1,900-foot-long bridge - informative placards mark the path before and during the bridge walk. The construction of the bridge was an idea that evolved in the 1960s, but didn't actually come to fruition until 40 years later. This bypass was created not only to reduce traffic (which anyone who has driven along the old road knows all too well), but to protect Lake Mead and the Colorado River from hazardous spills and explosions.

You can learn more about the bypass construction project at Hoover Dam Bypass US "93".  For info on Hoover Dam itself, click on USBR Hoover Dam.

WESTERN DAY...VEGAS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Working at a feverish pace at the sewing machine, and sadly neglecting my duties here on the ol' blogsted...my friend Jackie (PEACE, LOVE, AND ART SHOP) and I are honored to have been invited to showcase our wares at "Western Day", this Saturday (for our local, Vegas friends).

The old mannequin even got a new bustle and skirt for the occasion - she's never looked better (and what are pearls without a Grateful Dead pendant?!  I know, right!  She will be sporting something more genre appropriate around her neck, to go with her new Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes).

Western Day is co-sponsored by Nevada State Parks and The Friends of the Fort, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the preservation of THE OLD LAS VEGAS FORT STATE HISTORIC PARK. Proceeds will be used for educational programs and projects at the Old Fort.  Below is all the information you might have a hankerin' fer, from the Friends of the Fort Western Day flier..."Deadwood Dave" will be there!

(Not Deadwood Dave...Loop Rawlins)

"Join us for a Rootin’ Tootin’ good time on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the Old Las Vegas Fort State Historic Park, located at 500 East Washington Avenue (Las Vegas Blvd. & Washington Ave.) from 10:00 am – 5:00pm. Enjoy a celebration of Nevada’s frontier heritage with old west entertainment, activities, living history exhibits and fun games for the kids too!

10:00 am-             Native American Singing            

10:30 am-             Country Western Music DJ

11:00 am-             Water Stone Bunch Skit and Gun Fight

11:30 am-             Country Western Music DJ                                                       

12:00 -                  Native American Singing

1:00 pm-               Loop Rawlins Legendary Trick Roping

1:30 pm-               Country Western Music DJ

2:00 pm-               Water Stone Bunch Skit and Gun Fight

2:30 pm-               Whiskey Revival Band

3:30 pm-               Country Western Music DJ

4:00 pm-               Water Stone Bunch Skit and Gun Fight

4:30 pm-               Wally Hansen Country Western Music

Kids will have plenty to do with Pony Rides, Calf Roping and a Bounce House. You can watch Classic Western Movies in the theater throughout the day, or have Deadwood Dave take your “Wanted” photo, check out the Mustang cars on display courtesy of the Mustang Club of Las Vegas, watch the Blacksmith at work, visit the 4-H booth, learn about the Old Spanish Trail, talk to the Mountain Men or help the Mining Camp Laundress at the creek. Visit a Native American Village with Tipi and learn about traditions of the Paiute, Blackfoot, Sioux, and Cherokee Indians.

There will be food & drinks and vendors too.  Raffle prizes throughout the day, including a Wild West Horseback Adventure Dinner Ride, Vegas Ballooning Ride, Blue Man Tickets and more!  Get 1 free raffle ticket when you wear your cowboy hat.  So git on your fancy duds, grab yer cowboy hat and spurs, and come on down for some fine family fun at the Fort! Tickets are $7 per person, 5 years old and under are free."   

A SPRING IN YOUR STEP...

"Spring has sprung, the grass has riz"...A lovely first day of Spring, here in Vegas - one that finds me married to my husband for 30 years, which makes me all of 42 - not long on mushy sentiment on the blog (I tend to keep the family affairs low key and on a personal level), but thanks for a great run, Mister!  This past weekend was the long-awaited "Santo de Estrella" class with ROBIN DUDLEY-HOWES, and some charming girlfriends, here in town.

The dolls were all hand sculpted by Robin, and presented to us as "pieces/parts" at the beginning of class.  Each person assembled their own dolls, and then stained and painted the basic parts, before moving on to lots and lots of soldering, connecting all the dots, and crossing all the T's!  Jewelry was hand fashioned for each of these, also - a TOTAL MUST among the jewelry makers in the crowd.

A two day affair, complete with food and laughter - 7 hours each day.  Learned (learned, not "turned") a few new tricks (who says you're too old), and remembered a few forgotten ones...

Made a couple of new friends, and reconnected with some that had fallen out of touch...

The end result of our table of four...I KNOW that the two that weren't quite finished will be fabulous by week's end...I KNOW.

Mine, in the midst of half from the other table - as each one of these was individually crafted for us by Robin, no two were remotely alike - especially after paint applications.

My finished product...the base has been filled with antique silk flowers.  A glitter glass banner hangs from her hands, and spells out "Calm" in French, the result of that very word being printed on an old page of text used during the day...not that I speak the language, but the word was there, and is also part of my daughter's favorite phrase from a book - "du calme".  The rest of the banners were made up to say Peace...yes, I had to be different and it just seemed to fit the bill.

Thank you, Robin (and the rest of you lovely ladies), for a great two days - had a fabulous time and brought home a special keepsake.

With that out of the way, it is time to spring on out of here and resume the travelogue, as my father in Denver is chomping at the bit, wondering where we're stopping next on our travels.  The incredible Hoover Dam and new Memorial Bridge, it is...a safe and happy Spring to everyone!

2012 SW Travel Destinations - JEROME AND PRESCOTT, AZ

America's "Most Vertical City" and "Largest Ghost Town", all rolled into one!  Located 5,200 feet atop Cleopatra Hill (on a 30 degree vertical incline, I might add), between Sedona (20 miles to the SW) and Prescott, is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Founded in 1876, Jerome became a notorious "wild west" town, and in 1903, was proclaimed to be "the wickedest town in the West", by The New York Sun.

Jerome sits above what was the largest copper mine in Arizona, and produced an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month.  Growing from a settlement of tents to a roaring mining community, four disastrous fires destroyed large sections of the town during its early history.  Once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory with a population of 15,000 in the 1920's, Jerome today has a population of about 450.

The Great Depression slowed the mining operation, while World War II again brought a demand for copper.  Demand slowed drastically after the war and, being dependant on the copper market, the mine closed in 1953. The remaining 50 hardy souls in town promoted Jerome as a historic ghost town, and it was designated a National Historic District in 1967. The Jerome of today is known as a tourist and art destination, with more than 30 galleries and working studios. There are numerous bed and breakfasts, and two hotels.  Many of the buildings used by present-day businesses are those built after the fires of 1894 and 1899. Jerome also has a large mining museum, presenting the town history, labor-management disputes, geological structure models, mineral samples, and equipment used in both underground and open-pit mining.  For more information on lodging, dining, shops, etc, please visit AZJerome.com.

The breathtakingly scenic highway 89A, winds up and over Mingus Mountain, through the Prescott National Forest, before dropping you down into Prescott, just 30 miles away. 

"Everybody's Hometown", quaint and beautiful little Prescott boasts a whopping 809 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, most of them in the Victorian style.

Renowned for its downtown historical area of drinking establishments that line the street on what has become known as Whiskey Row - until 1956, a notorious red-light district. In 1900, a great fire destroyed almost all of the buildings on Whiskey Row, including the 1891 Hotel Burke, advertised as "the only absolutely fireproof building in Prescott".  As legend has it, the patrons of the various bars simply took their drinks across the street to the Courthouse square and watched the block burn. At the time of the fire, the entire bar and back-bar of the Palace Hotel was removed to the square by the patrons as the fire approached (the size of the back-bar is massive, and appears not easily moved – funny what adrenaline, fueled by alcohol, can achieve), re-installing it after the gutted brick structure was rebuilt.

Antique and gift shops are plentiful throughout the historic downtown area, as well as four golf courses for those husbands who want to meet up later.  Neither town to be missed, if you've got the time to explore - full of "small town", turn of the century charm, and loaded with history, both...in fact, make time to visit - you'll be glad you did!

Time's a wastin'!  There's guaranteed to be something in these towns for everyone (who couldn't love a place that bills itself as "Everybody's Hometown" - why, you can almost hear Opie whistling the theme song to The Andy Griffith Show), so rustle up your sweetie and hit the road - buy her an ice cream in Jerome, and a "red-eye" on Whiskey Row ~ step back in time and relax awhile...you may not want to leave.  Next stop, the new Hoover Dam Memorial Bridge.

JUST BE...

Running in circles this week, going nowhere fast, and lagging behind in my travel guide for your summer vacation suggestions (continuing on Monday with Jerome and Prescott, AZ; a trip over the new bridge at Hoover Dam; and through Las Vegas, itself) ~ spinning my wheels, most certainly.  A trip to my mailbox, mid-week, brought a VERY wonderful surprise from two new Internet friends with a new blog.  I won a giveaway from JUST BE FARM ~ "two men, ten acres, and a whole lot of living"!

An AMAZING array of goodies inside...beautiful bamboo cooking spoons (which I sorely needed if you looked close at my post about the chili); new, CLEAN kitchen towels (I had just purchased a piece of fabric the week before, to use in a gift, and loved it so much that I went back, the very morning before this box arrived, to purchase more for a new Roman Shade in my kitchen...same colors as the towels, by coincidence); cake to bake in cups; a ceramic trivet/plaque with a Roasted Pepper Soup recipe (see below); jars of THE most decadent looking home canned items ever...Pepper Jelly, homegrown peppers, and Apple Butter; AND, Ghirardelli dark chocolates (because you HAVE to have chocolate after spicy - it's a MUST)!  My mouth watering (yeah, the spicy is RIGHT up my alley, and Apple Butter is an absolute favorite), I made myself promise not to open them until I had a chance to take pictures...

After I finished the impromptu photo session atop the table this morning, it was time to dig in on the apple butter...taking my friend Jackie's lead on renaming my chili recipe this week, this shall forever be known to me as "Bob and Eric's OH MY GOD APPLE BUTTER"!  I'm sure the Pepper Jelly and peppers are going to be just as "knock your socks off", as this was, but it was a little early for spicy this morning, with a migraine...I was warned in their note, and will take them at their word!

Just a smidgen of butter underneath the Apple Butter...whole wheat muffin...HEAVEN!  I'm in love and I'm hiding it in the back of the fridge, where no one else can find it!

And believe me, I have no shame...I DID lick the plate clean after this shot...you can't waste perfectly good Apple Butter!  Please drop over to their blog at JUST BE FARM, and tell them I sent you - beautiful scenery, wonderful (and pampered) animals, growing things, COOKING...and lots of love!  THANK YOU, BOB AND ERIC - I said it before, and I'll say it again, you guys ROCK!  Will keep you posted when I dig into the "hot stuff"!

However much wheel spinning I did during the week, I did manage to knock this out, during some quiet evenings at the kitchen table - my green for St. Patrick's Day this year.

Hope your weekend is wonderful - have a happy Saturday and a fabulous week - just BE!

NAVAJO TACOS - A SW Taste Treat - Recipes Attached

Yesterday I pulled out a new/old recipe that I had begged off a guy at a picnic years ago, and then had never made.  A batch of chili that will knock your socks off!  As I had it cooking in the Crock Pot all day, I decided that the perfect way to serve it last night would be over Indian Frybread, as Navajo Tacos, as I'm still in that SW travel mode.

According to Navajo tradition, frybread (or fry bread) was created using flour, powdered milk, salt and lard given by the United States government when the Navajo Native Americans were relocated to Bosque Redondo, New Mexico from Arizona 144 years ago (see previous post on Hubbell Trading Post).

Navajo (or Indian) Tacos, are made using frybread instead of tortillas, and are basically open-faced tacos. Commonly served at pow-wows, festivals, and other Native American gatherings, they are making their way into more and more venues these days.  Too good not to share so, in the tradition of handing down recipes, I pass along two pretty great ones, with lots of SW flair!

ROSSI's CHILI

Large Crock Pot

½ - 1 lb. Ground Beef

2) Pork Chops

2) 15 oz.cans Chili Beans in Natural Juice (if you can’t find these, use the ones in Chili Gravy/Sauce, and rinse them off)

1) 15 oz. can Red Kidney Beans in Natural Juice

1) 7 oz. can Ortega Diced Green Chilies

1) 4 oz. can Ortega Diced Jalapenos (you will only use a small portion)

1) 30 oz. can Whole Plum Tomatoes

Medium onion, diced (amount to taste)

3) cloves garlic – minced

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 – 3 Tbsp. Chili Powder

¼ - ½ tsp. Cayenne Pepper

½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper

½ tsp. Salt

¼ tsp. Cilantro

1 - 2 cans Beer (I used one 24 oz. “Tall Boy” can of Coors ~ pure “Rocky Mountain Spring Water”.  The brand is up to you…you will need enough to make it the consistency you want)

~~~~~

Brown Ground Beef and add to Crock Pot.

Brown Pork Chops.  Cut into small pieces and add to Crock Pot.

In skillet, heat Olive Oil – add minced garlic and diced onions, and sauté until glazed.  Add to Crock Pot.

Drain the Chili and Kidney Beans - add to Crock Pot.

Drain Tomatoes.  Cut into small chunks - add to Crock Pot.

Add can of Diced Green Chilies.

From the can of Jalapenos (DO NOT ADD THE WHOLE THING!), spoon out what you think the equivalent of 1 or 2 chopped peppers would be, remembering that whole Jalapenos are small and potent.  Add to Crock Pot.

Add your remaining spices to Crock, and stir thoroughly.  Add enough beer to bring to consistency you desire – drink the rest.  Cover, and turn your Crock to low for 5-8 hours.

INDIAN FRYBREAD (OR FRY BREAD)

3 C. Flour

1-1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Tbsp. Baking Powder

¼ C. Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk

1-1/3 to 1-1/2 C. lukewarm water – you want to use enough to make a “ragged” dough

Oil, or shortening, for frying.

Combine flour, salt, baking powder, and dry milk in bowl.  Add water and stir ingredients together.  Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead about 2 minutes.  Pinch off ball of dough, about the size of a large egg or a little bigger.  Roll into ball shape.

On floured surface, roll dough into circles, until about ¼” or thinner (thicker than a tortilla, though).  When it’s the size you want, poke a hole in the very center with your fingertip.  This will help it stay flatter during frying.

Heat oil in heavy skillet – about 1/2” worth, or so - pretty hot (Med. High…it shouldn’t take that long to cook on each side, but not hot enough to burn).  Fry dough circles on each side until just starting to turn golden.  Drain on paper towels.  Makes 8-10 pieces.

NAVAJO TACOS

(or how to throw it all together)

Layer fry bread, with chili on top.  Top chili with your choice of toppings…cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, to name a few...I was rather tame with toppings for my photo, and it should have been plated ala Bobby Flay (heavy sigh!), I know.  Be more creative than I.

The extra frybread you may have left over is delicious with honey, and your morning coffee, the next day...a flatter version of the beloved Sopapillas from the SW.

2012 SW Travel Destinations - SEDONA, ARIZONA

Sedona, Arizona is truly a unique, special place.  Featuring the wonder of what Native Americans consider the spiritual vortex of the Southwest, and absolutely sublime red rock formations, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon (previous post) challenge many national parks in their beauty.

Enjoying mild weather throughout the year, sunshine and clean air abound at Sedona's elevation of 4500 feet. Located 90 minutes north of Phoenix, and 40 minutes south of Flagstaff, Sedona is home to numerous resorts, golfing, and artistic events year round - one of Arizona’s premier tourism, recreation, resort, retirement, and art centers, all of which contribute to its economic base. Its history is that of a rural ranching community, far off the beaten track - its beauty became known through the motion picture industry with such classic films as John Wayne’s “The Angel and the Badman,” and Robert Mitchum’s “Blood on the Moon.”  The second photo here is the view from the courtyard of our motel.

Sedona's main attraction is its stunning array of red sandstone formations, the Red Rocks of Sedona. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The Red Rocks form a breathtaking backdrop for everything from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails.  The majestic red rock scenery and evergreen vegetation are two reasons for the unique energy of Sedona and its tangible regenerative and inspirational effects.

I can't talk about Sedona without mentioning the Vortex sites, as you'll hear references to them no matter where you go in town.  Though never experienced firsthand, the Vortexes are popular tourist attractions. Simply stated, Vortex sites are said to be locations having energy flows, in those "deeper dimensions", that the Soul can soar on.  A wide variety of lectures, texts, and Guides are available through Sedona's bookstores and Spiritual Centers to assist you in experiencing the power of Sedona's Vortex sites - just ask...someone will point you in the right direction.

Many, many unique shops, sounds, and sights line the main drag through town ~ like these non-smelly (I've been told that the real ones give off a horrible stench), large (and colorful) bronze versions of the Javelinas that are native to the area... 

to this array of delightful, large bronze frogs that I encountered at various spots throughout the day...

cute enough to kiss!

In addition to roaming the main street shops of Sedona, your trip MUST include spending time at internationally renowned Tlaquepaque (pronounced Ta-lah-keh-pah-keh) Arts & Crafts Village (for those of you who just want to park and walk, there is a free shuttle that runs between the main street area, and Tlaquepaque, at the bottom of the hill…every 15 minutes).

Nestled beneath the shade of huge sycamore trees on the banks of beautiful Oak Creek, Tlaquepaque (meaning "best of everything") is authentically fashioned after a traditional Mexican village, and has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970's.

Its vine covered stucco walls, cobble-stoned walkways and magnificent arched entryways give you the feeling that it’s been there for centuries.

Originally conceived as an artist community, Tlaquepaque houses over 40 unique specialty/gift shops and exclusive art galleries, as well as 4 restaurants and a micro-brewery. 

Within these walls, you'll find everything from western and eclectic bronze sculpture; functional and traditional ceramics; breathtaking blown glass creations, contemporary and Southwestern fine art; fine contemporary jewelry; designer casual wear; to truly unique gift items – there’s a little something for everyone - if nothing else, go for the scenery...

or the margaritas, food, and atmosphere on the patio at El Rincon Restaurant...

the perfect ending to a day of walking, shopping, and soaking in the sights of one of the most beautiful settings in the Southwest.

Many unique shopping areas abound throughout the canyon – from two locations for Garland’s Indian Trading Post, to "Hillside Sedona" ~

another array of beautiful galleries, shops, sculpture gardens (and real gardens - yep, that's an artichoke!), and restaurants...

such as The Javelina Cantina - it's all located "around the corner" from Tlaquepaque, on the hillside, like the name says.  The benches and peaceful quiet of the after-hours gallery area also make it one of the best places in town to catch the spectacular Sedona sunsets, after that delicious meal and margarita.

Heading through Jerome and Prescott, AZ, while wending our way towards Las Vegas, next...Happy Trails, and a wonderful Wednesday to you and yours!