Keeping busy ...Resort pool, Pahrump Valley Museum, bike ride and quick trip to Las Vegas

Since my last post we haven't had a chance to go back to Death Valley NP but we've been keeping busy. It's been very hot lately, like 97 degrees, here in Pahrump, NV. Not exciting things but helping us pass the time before we travel back to the Midwest to see our granddaughter graduate high school and bring her back with us to see a couple of the National Parks in UT. We've been to the pool here at the RV park a few times.

Which is pretty spectacular with the waterfall and all. Lots of lounge chairs, umbrellas and some shaded areas. It's pretty quiet now too with more folks gone for the summer. The water and breezes help with the heat recently. We also were able to ride our bikes on the road next to the park. Since we're out of town a ways the roads around here are less traveled. Good for biking. We diverted from the main road into a couple of small subdivisions. The homes are pretty spread out as you get out of town.

We had a chance to check out the local Pahrump Valley Museum too. If you'd like more information on the history of the museum, you can click HERE. The outside is very plain with some cool sculptures of children playing.

I thought these sculptures were really impressive. There is no admission fee to the museum. We just signed in and started looking around. Lots of antique irons, typewriters, construction equipment, mining tools, furniture and other miscellaneous artifacts.

We took our time enjoying some nostalgia. I can remember some of the old cameras and the bag phone. Technology has come along way in a short time.

There was a lecture going on in the back room when we arrived so when it ended we were able to view some history of the area related to underground nuclear testing. One hundred above-ground nuclear tests were conducted at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) between January 27, 1951, and July 17, 1962. - See more at: http://www.onlinenevada.org/articles/underground-nuclear-testing-nevada-test-site. On August 5, 1963, the Soviet Union and the United States signed the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), which prohibited nuclear tests in the atmosphere, under water, and in space. From that time, until the end of testing in 1992, nuclear tests at the NTS were conducted underground. - You can see more at: http://www.onlinenevada.org/articles/underground-nuclear-testing-nevada-test-site.

Drilling and mining equipment and other technologies had to be modified and improved upon to meet the needs of weapons tests. Underground safety protocols had to be implemented for all phases of the experiments. The shafts and tunnels where tests were conducted needed to be stemmed and sealed to prevent the escape of radioactive materials from the explosions.

Enlarge to read

Underground blasts would leave craters in the earth

Mining equipment to drill shafts

Shaft and drilling equipment photos

Short history lesson

In September 1992 the U.S. Congress passed legislation known as the Hatfield-Exon amendment for a nine-month moratorium on nuclear testing. As a result, the final nuclear tests conducted at the NTS were the tunnel test (code-named Hunters Trophy) on September 18 and the shaft test (code-named Divider) on September 23, 1992. On October 2, 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed the law containing the testing moratorium amendment. Test site tourists can visit the 157-foot tower built for a joint U.S.-United Kingdom test, code-named Icecap, one of three cancelled 1993 ground zero tests. On September 24, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), prohibiting nuclear weapons test detonations. The U.S. Congress has never ratified the treaty; however, the United States has maintained this cessation in nuclear testing.

Since we're heading back to the Midwest by way of Las Vegas and Allegiant Airway we thought we should check out where the airport was and possible long term parking. Especially with a huge truck and small parking spaces.

The drive from Pahrump. NV to Las Vegas is about 60 miles on SR 160 to I-215 that goes to the airport. Once we got to the airport we drove up a ramp to the parking garage and found that we would fit height wise. We were still concerned about the siddth though. We decided to head to the hotel we will be staying at after returning from the Midwest and see what there parking and possible shuttle opportunities might be.

We found out we could get a shuttle to the airport from the hotel upon leaving Las Vegas. That lead us to make a reservation at the hotel the day before our flight. They would shuttle us to the airport but we will have to take a taxi back after our trip. Yes, it's an extra night's stay but much more convenient and it would have cost is $16/day at the long term parking anyway. We don't have to get up as early to get to the airport and we can keep the truck parked there at the hotel for free until we get back.

That was a relief. After making those reservations we drove through part of the downtown strip on Tropicana Dr. and saw a couple of iconic hotels.

It was really a quick trip through the downtown. Lots of traffic and hustle and bustle. Our reasoning for doing this is when we get back from the Midwest we have tickets to see Michal Jackson One - Cirque De Solei ant the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Now we have all our plans in order for our trip from and to Las Vegas.

Then we thought while we're here let's go to Hoover Dam. Never been there so why not? It was another 30 minute drive on I-15 to I-215 then onto SR 93 through Boulder City. NV. We turned off at the Mike O'Callaghan/Pat Tillman Memorial Walkway Bridge for viewing the dam. Spectacular view from there. As you walk out onto the bridge the dam comes into view on the left.

Glenda had to walk along the inner edge due to fear of heights

Yeah...it's pretty high

Quite an engineering feat to build

Huge pylons anchored into bedrock

Again this was just a quick view of the dam. We didn't even go down to drive across it either. Next time in the area we'll take more time. It was getting late and we still wanted to check out Lake Mead.

Lake Mead is just back down the road from Boulder City. WE made the turn off and checked out the RV campground. They have full hook ups some lake view sites and standard sites with limited lake views. Rates run from $35 to $55/night depending on the site and view.

We drove along the lake to Booulder Beach in the park and gound out why they call it Boulder Beach. Not an sand and lots of rocks(boulders?). People were still swimming and some sitting in chairs near the water.

Maybe we're too picky but not a beach I would probably go to if we were to stay in the RV park there. The views from the campground were nice since they sit up higher back from the water. You get a goo perspective of the lake.

We headed back to Pahrump with a stop outside Vegas for some dinner at In and Out Burger. Tasty sandwiches and fries. Quick service and made to order.

See we have been busy and getting some details taken care of. So very much looking forward to seeing family and bringing Jasmyne back with us. I've been reading some RV friends blogs that are already in UT hiking and sightseeing and they're really making envious. All I can  say is we'll be there soon.