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Published: June 29th 2012
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Having spotted a Barber's Shop only a hundred yards or so from the Boulder Dam Hotel, Bernie headed there after breakfast for a trim. After the ministrations of the Turkish Barber, it was a very quick, very standard going over with the No.2 comb!!
With Bernie's grooming taken care of we made our way down Highway 93 to Hoover Dam. When we checked in yesterday afternoon we discovered that the new Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (Colorado River Bridge) includes a pedestrian walkway so we were keen to check that out. In fact, we had been told that if we wanted to see anything, we would have to get out and walk because the concrete sidings on the bridge actually prevent you from seeing anything as you drive across.
After walking to the mid-point of the 2,000-foot long bridge, where it is nearly 900-feet above the Colorado River, we returned to the car and drove down to the parking area near the dam wall. Even though we have walked the dam wall before, we needed to take a photo of the bridge from that vantage point!!
We drove across the dam wall and took a few
more photographs from the Arizonan side of the river. Just looking at the water line it is clear to see that Lake Mead is very low. A graph on the Internet, plotting historical and current water levels, shows that Lake Mead is still recovering from the very low water level reached in 2010. After almost hitting the critical shortage level late in 2010/early in 2011, water levels recovered a little last year. Low rainfall in the first half of this year sees the water level declining again so they desperately need rain to ensure the water supply and power generation that Hoover Dam is relied on for.
Back at Highway 93 we drove south across the bridge to the first exit in Arizona where we turned around and drove back across the bridge to Nevada ... as you do! And, guess what? You really can't see anything from the bridge!! You cannot see Hoover Dam or Lake Mead at all. In fact, you can hardly even tell that you are on a bridge, 900-feet above the Colorado River.
After spending nearly two hours at the twin engineering marvels of the Hoover Dam and the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat
Tillman Memorial Bridge we set the Sat Nav for Las Vegas. Arriving just after noon we headed to the Premium Outlet Mall to fill in some time until we could check in at the MGM Signature Suites at 3.00pm.
To avoid the 3.00pm rush, we arrived at MGS Signature about quarter to four ... only to find that there was no room yet available due to some delays with people checking out and getting rooms cleaned. We were offered a $50 credit to spend on food and beverages within the MGM complex and asked to come back in half an hour.
We wandered around for half an hour and returned to the desk after about 45 minutes. Still no room available!! They apologised profusely and increased the food and beverage credit too $100 and asked us to come back in one and a half to two hours!!! So we wandered around a bit longer, I bought a new dress to wear out to dinner tomorrow night and then we went out to the half price tickets booth and the Coca-Cola shop. We had a good laugh watching the Coca-Cola polar bear hamming it up with people having their
photos taken with him. We headed back into the MGM Grand, had drinks at one of the (many) bars and we returned to the desk.
Thank goodness, a room is now ready. The guy on the desk thanked us for our patience and said that he would move us up a bit higher than the 11th floor room that he had provisionally checked us in to. We didn't think all that much about being moved up the tower until we entered the lift and pressed the 35 PH button. Woo hoo, upgraded to a penthouse suite!!! Beautiful.
After freshening up, we went to the MGM Grand's Japanese restaurant - Shibuya - where we spent about twice our food and beverage credit on a pricey, but delicious Teppanyaki meal.
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Janet
non-member comment
the value of patience!
Well that was a bonus to get an upgrade! The desk clerk must have liked you. Not often you get that sort of treatment over a delay to check-in. Great to enjoy some luxury while in Vegas. Not long before you head home so enjoy the remaining time to the fullest. See you next weekend!