ArizonaCity HoppingNorth AmericaRoad TripUSA

Wild, Wild West ~ Hoover Dam & Williams

by Tsvete Popp
written by Tsvete Popp
"Open Road Cowboy" shop sign near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA, with vintage cowboy illustration.

Hello! Today we are heading to the next challenge – Hoover Dam and Williams in Arizona. My Bucket List with places that I want to visit and things I wish I could do someday is quite long. Probably a whole life and some holidays won’t be enough in order to go through it. The National Park Grand Canyon is one of those magical places from my Children’s Encyclopedia of the World. I found to be most interesting and I wished to have the opportunity to visit it someday in my life. And of course, when you are only a few hours away from your childhood dream, you better get in the car and head toward it.

 

But today's post is dedicated to the first hours spent in Arizona – a state with terrific Biodiversity. Our first stop was the Hoover Dam! Hoover Dam is the largest dam and hydroelectric plant in the United States. The Dam is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona. It is built in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River. Nowadays, it is still the main source of water power for the states of California and Nevada. Unfortunately, the water level has dropped dramatically over the past decade. And the first problems with water supply are expected to occur in 2016.

We stayed about an hour at Hoover Dam. On this day, the temperatures reached 47° and it was definitely too hot for me outside. Only after 20 minutes in the car, the landscape changed from a stone desert into a theatrical background for ‘Winnetou' by Karl May. We had a wish to spend the whole day in “Grand Canyon”. Therefore we had to stay somewhere close to the national park so that we can start in the early morning on the day after. And fortunately, Williams was a perfect choice! The small town is located in just half an hour by car to South Rim. It lies on the historic Route 66. Cowboys, Indians and country music are the words that best describe the small town in the heart of the Kaibab National Forest.

We spent a very nice day in Williams, enjoyed some original Arizona’s beef steak and got a lot of souvenirs from the lovely shops in the town. In the morning, we had the good fortune to visit the summer rodeo, which is held every year in the town and definitely contributes to the atmosphere of some Western Movie.

Highway view of Lake Mead near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA, with cars driving under a clear sky.

View of Hoover Dam reservoir and rocky desert landscape near Williams, USA.

Hoover Dam water intake towers above Lake Mead in Williams, USA, surrounded by rocky cliffs.

Hoover Dam towers and Colorado River in Williams, USA, under a clear blue sky.

Woman enjoying view of Hoover Dam's blue water and mountains near Williams, USA.

Hoover Dam in Williams, USA, showcasing its massive concrete structure and surrounding cliffs.

Hoover Dam in Williams, USA, with turquoise water between rocky canyon walls.

 

Highway through rocky landscape near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA, under a clear blue sky.

Route 66, Arizona

Desert landscape with a rocky hill near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA, under a clear blue sky.

Road 66, Arizona

Entrance sign in Williams, USA, reading 'Gateway to the Grand Canyon' under a clear sky.

Horse-drawn carriage with U.S. flag on a street near a gift shop in Williams, USA.

"Open Road Cowboy" shop sign near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA, with vintage cowboy illustration.

Route 66 sign on pavement, Hoover Dam vicinity near Williams, USA.

Woman posing with a cow statue outside a steakhouse near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA.

Rod's Steak House, Williams

Placemats from Rod's Steak House in Williams, Arizona, featuring Route 66 design.

Rod's Steak House, Williams

Wild West Junction water tower at dusk in Williams, near Hoover Dam, USA.

Route 66 sign in Williams, USA with a "Mother Road" map and iconic motto.

One-way street sign at Route 66 and Flagel in Williams, near Hoover Dam, USA.

South Rims Wine & Beer Garage in Williams, USA, with classic car mural at dusk.

Woman poses by a wagon and horse statue near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA.

Train-shaped mailbox in Williams, USA, near Hoover Dam with cars in the background.

Red Santa Fe train caboose near a railroad crossing sign in Williams, USA with trees behind.

Billboard for Bearizona Wildlife Park near Hoover Dam, USA, with forest backdrop.

Sunrise over mountains near a church in Williams, USA, with clouds and blue sky.

Route 66 signs and gift shop in Williams, USA, near Hoover Dam, under a clear blue sky.

Rodeo event at Williams, USA with horses, spectators, and a scenic backdrop.

Cowboys chase a calf in a rodeo near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA.

Cowboys participate in a rodeo event near Hoover Dam in Williams, USA.

Two cowboys ride horses at a rodeo near Hoover Dam, Williams, USA.

Children practice roping at a ranch near Williams, USA, outside Hoover Dam.

Enjoy the day!

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