Travel: The Hoover Dam

It occurred to me the other day, that I never posted about our trip to the Hoover Dam while we were in Las Vegas this spring.

The dam is quite impressive, and one of the those things that you need to see in person to truly appreciate & understand the sheer volume of this massive structure.

We did the dam tour, and it was neat & very informative.  Not the most exciting thing in the whole world, but a good experience none-the-less.  I think we spent about 3 hours total at the dam, and we made sure to get there right away in the morning when it opened to avoid large crowds & the daytime heat.

Damn... that's a long ways down! ;)

Arizona side...

Nevada side...

Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

I'm not sure how much you remember learning about the Hoover Dam in school, but what's fascinating to me is the engineering feat that went into constructing the dam, and how they were able to divert the flow of the Colorado River while it was being built.  I mean, this was back in 1931 -- before computers and all the fancy gadgets we have today.

The dam was built to control the flow of the Colorado River, provide irrigation water to farmlands, and provide a dependable water supply for southern California.  It's self-supporting, too; the operation & maintenance is solely supported with the revenue from it's power sales.  To this day, the Hoover Dam is a world-renowned structure.

A look inside the dam:

If you're claustrophobic, avoid this part of the tour...

Here's the view at the end of that long narrow tunnel

Lake Mead -- America's largest man-made reservoir that can store 9.2 trillion gallons of water.  It also serves as a means of recreation. And, it's beautiful!

Zac pointing out some fish...

The view from the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (it was sooo windy on top the bridge!)

 

If you're in the area or passing through, make sure to stop by the Hoover Dam... even just to snap a pic.  You'll be amazed at it's sheer volume!  Plus, you can literally be in two places at once... Nevada & Arizona!

P.S.  You'll drive through Boulder City to get to the Hoover Dam.  On our way back to Vegas, we ate a super classy lunch at the local Taco Bell, and across the street was this fun mural.  Had we not stopped for a cheap lunch, I would have never gotten this photo :)

Travel: Rome, Italy {Day 2 - Part 2}

To read about Rome, day 1, click here.  To read about Rome, day 2 - part 1, click here.

Our final afternoon in Rome was spent sight-seeing, where we spent a brief amount of time at all the touristy spots --  the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, & the Pantheon.

When we arrived at the Colosseum, there was a bit of drama because there was an employee union dispute going on... so even though our group had reservations, they weren't letting anyone in.  So frustrating!  This apparently happens fairly often, we were told...  Thankfully, it all got sorted out within an hour or so.  I wish we would have gotten more time in the Colosseum, but the 'workers on strike' BS really cut into our time there.

But, getting to walk through a structure that opened in 80 AD... was insanely cool.   If you don't know much about the Colosseum, it's basically a massive (it covers 6 acres) amphitheater that was used for various gladiatorial events, animal hunts, & public spectacles.  Built by Emperor Vespasian, it is considered the greatest work of Roman architecture & engineering.   It is said to have taken the lives of about 500,000 people & over a million animals during it's time. 

What's crazy is that back in the day, it looked nothing like it currently does.  Much of it's former marble facade & some parts of it, were used for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica & other monuments.  Also, part of the Colosseum collapsed in 847 because of an earthquake.

^ look at that tourist line...

Between the Colosseum & Palatine Hill sits the Arch of Constantine.  It's neat -- you can Google it :)
It was built to signify a victory in some battle.

Making our way up Palatine Hill, we strolled under the Arch of Titus... again, a cool ruin.
It was built to commemorate the victory in the Jewish war.  Ask Google to tell you more ;)

But seriously, the details on these structures are amazing.  Especially considering the time in which they were constructed... I'm just baffled at how they managed to make these things thousands of years of ago. ..

Next up, are views from Palatine Hill, which is the one of the most ancient parts of Rome.

I don't know why, but I expected all of Rome to look like this.  It doesn't, but there are random spots of ruins sprinkled throughout the city.


After a quick lunch, we saw the Spanish Steps (highly overrated, in my book... maybe it was the large crowd, construction, or the massive Michael Kors advertisement... you choose).

Random fact: In 1986, the first McDonald's in Italy opened near these steps.


We then walked past the Trevi Fountain, which happened to be under construction, boo!
It's apparently one of the most stunning fountains in the world, and it's one of the oldest water sources in Rome, as it was built at the end point of the Aqueduct -- you wanna read something cool?  Read about the Roman Aqueducts.

Next to the Trevi Fountain is one of the best Gelateria's in Rome, so we indulged. 

After fulfilling our sweet tooth, it was on to the Pantheon.  You guys, this thing is awesome.  Built in dedication to all the Gods of pagan Rome, it's architecture is amazing. 

In the center of the dome, is an oculus or an opening at the top -- really, an engineering gem as no other oculus had ever come close to it's size.  It's lined with Roman bronze & continues to be the main source of light for the whole building.  It was never covered, so rain falls in & drains through the slightly convex floor. 

After that, we had some time to meander throughout a nearby Piazza, which was filled with artists selling their prints, and people lounging at cafes.  It was a lively yet quaint little town sqaure --  I loved it there.  

There was a fountain the middle of the Piazza, as well as a fountain on each end.

We got to see Trajan's Column.  The marble pillar was built to celebrate Trajan's victory of the Dacians.  With over 155 scenes carved into it, it's quite fascinating.

Click here for a neat article on how to "read" the column.

Also, the Column of the Immaculate Conception, was neat to see.

Finally, after a long day of sight-seeing, we walked to a restaurant near our hotel for dinner.  It was a lovely evening; we sat outside & sipped some Roman beer.  Zac ordered a pizza, and I ordered pasta.

While we ate supper, we talked about how blessed we felt at that very moment.  I have wanted to travel to Italy for quite some time, and it was finally real!   All the while we pranced around Rome, I just felt an overwhelming rush of thankfulness.

Topping it off with an authentic heaping plate of pasta was just icing on cake.

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Stay turned for images from the next city on our tour, the sacred destination of Assisi!

Travel: Rome, Italy {Day 2}

To read about our first day in Rome, click here.

Day 2 in Rome was dedicated to visiting all the usual touristy sights, and let me tell you, Rome houses some pretty amazing attractions.   My pictures don't even begin to do these sights justice.

Let's start off where we spent the first half of our day, in Vatican City...

Vatican City.
Did you know that Vatican City is it's own city state?  Yep, it's plunked right in the middle of Rome, but is it's own country with a population of less than 900 people.  It's ruled by the Pope & is the smallest internationally recognized independent state.  It lies to the left of us in the below photo, behind that wall.

Here's us -- all geared up & ready for our tours

There are no words, pictures or videos I can show to you that will give you the slightest feeling of what we felt & saw while in Vatican City.  These pictures DO NOT do this magical place an ounce of  justice. It's truly something that you need to experience for yourself.

Within the city are these historical sites that we visited: Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, & St. Peter's Basilica.

Sistine Chapel.
No photography or videography is allowed inside of the chapel, so I can't share with you what I saw, but pictures & videos wouldn't compare anyway.  Upon entering the chapel, I immediately got goosebumps; others even got tears in their eyes.   The Sistine Chapel is unlike anything I've ever experienced before, mostly thanks to the amazing talents of Michelangelo.  The painted ceilings at the Sistine Chapel attract nearly 5 million tourists every year; they stand in silence & awe, as they admire the detailed artwork & workmanship.  It really is incredible!  Just knowing that you are standing in the very room where Michelangelo once stood (in the 1500's!!) and where the Popes are elected... it's a feeling I can't describe.


Vatican Museums.

Filled with artifacts, sculptures, mosaics, paintings, & tapestries that are so beautiful & detailed, you can't believe the talent.  Here's a sampling of what you'll find throughout the museums:

Do you recognize these guys... from your art history days in college? ;)

The ceilings are so amazing, you'll be looking up the whole time...

Tapestries with so much fine detail, you'd think they were paintings...

St. Peter's Basilica & St. Peter's Square.
A massive church of beauty (one of the two largest churches in the world), filled with sculptures & mosaics, and is the burial site of St. Peter himself -- is completely breath-taking!  It's also considered one of the holiest Catholic tributes.

Click here for a neat virtual tour -- it will put everything in perspective.

Looking out, onto St. Peter's Square...

The famed bronze gilded Holy Door -- the northern most door in the Basilica, that according to tradition, is only opened for great celebrations, such as the Jubilee years (aka, it's kind of a big deal... they are currently opened as Pope Francis has declared this year as the Holy Year of Mercy).

What an amazing experience!

Phew!  That was a long post -- I could have shared hundreds of more photos, but these are just the highlights.

I hope you enjoyed that slice of Vatican City I was able to share -- if you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below & I will try my best to answer them! 

Tips:
*Visit Vatican City with a group tour (that makes a reservation) or pre-purchase your ticket online, otherwise you will waste an entire day of your trip waiting in line, just to get in.  I'm not kidding.

*Visit the Vatican gift store & purchase a (real) rosary made with flower petals, which can be blessed by a priest in St. Peter's Basilica.  It will be a wonderful keepsake & makes an excellent gift!

*Plan to wear garments that cover your shoulders & knees while in Vatican City.