Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam (once called Boulder Dam) spans the Colorado River in Black Canyon between Arizona and Nevada,  about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas.  Hoover Dam's construction began in 1931 and was completed in five years.  There were about 16,000 total men and women who worked on that project,  with about 3,500 employed at a specific time.

Our First Views from above ---after driving across the dam and turning around

Hoover Dam was built as a source of hydroelectic power generations,  to provide water for agricultural purposes and to prevent flooding.  When finished,  it was the largest electric-power generating site in the world ,  as well as the largest structure made out of concrete.

The new bridge crossing the canyon

Hoover Dam is 726 feet high and 1, 244 feet across at the top.  And it is 660 feet thick at the base and 45 feet thick at the top.  It can store up two years 'average' flow from the Colorado River. The dam contains over 4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete... You have to see this place to believe that!!!! It's hard to imagine that much concrete.  Wow!

The bridge above us;  Note the ruggedness of the canyon;  The Colorado River below;

After seeing the Hoover Dam,  I can only imagine what it would cost to build TODAY.  Back then,  its cost was only $49,000,000.  There are 96,000,000 pounds of steel and metalwork used by the dam---but none of it is IN the dam... Again,  you have to see it!!

Can you imagine building all of this on those huge rocks/boulders?

It was the job of high scalers to hang dangerously by rope above the canyon to blast and remove weakened and loose rocks from the face of the Black Canyon cliffs --where the ends of the dam would join.

The best views of the entire dam are from that new bridge.  George went up there to get photos. That is Lake Mead in the background.

The Colorado River had to be diverted before construction could begin.  The riverbed had to be dredged clear of deep silt and sediment to expose a bedrock foundation for the building of Hoover Dam.  It was a tedious process of digging four diversion tunnels through canyon walls that would divert river flow around the dam site to join the Colorado River farther downstream.

The view of the water below the dam.  Can you imagine that much electrical equipment?

Hope you enjoyed seeing our pictures of the Hoover Dam.  We did not go to the visitor center nor did we take a tour into the dam.  We drove across it --and then turned around and went above it to get photos.  IF you haven't been there,  please go.  It's awesome --and needs to be seen in person.  AND---be sure to walk back up to the new bridge (the Mike O'Callaghan -Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge) to get the best pictures of the entire dam.

On another note,  I cannot say THANKS enough for all of your sweet comments and emails to me after my Friday blog post about the death of one of my best friends.  We are driving to Atlanta TODAY to attend the funeral.   Thanks again and God Bless ALL of you.

Hugs,

In Memory of a Great Friend

JO SUSAN HOLLIFIELD DAUGHERTY

 June 2, 1942- July 28, 2011

It is with much sorrow that I have to write this blog post.  Yesterday morning, one of my very best childhood friends,  JO SUSAN HOLLIFIELD DAUGHERTY (Susan or SuSu to me) passed away peacefully--after a long battle with Breast Cancer.  You may remember that I wrote a blog the first of June on "Perseverance" about Susan.  Click HERE to read that post.   Susan has fought her battles for several years--and has had some good and some bad times.  Recently,  she truly did 'rally' ---and I thought she would be around much longer. 

Susan,  about Age 12

This time though,  Susan reentered the hospital about June 17 (while George and I were on our trip out west)--and this time,  she did not rally.   They did all they could to help her --but when it became apparent that there was nothing else to be done,  her family wanted her comfortable.  So they put her in a very nice hospice facility.  The bottom line is that I knew her death was inevitable,  but when it actually happened,  I found myself crying and crying yesterday.

Susan and Duke,  with sons Brad and Ben, taken about 1970

Susan (and my other 2 childhood friends, Reida and Nita) call ourselves the Getaway Gang --or even the Ya Ya Sisterhood.  You will have to read more about our special bond (click HERE).   All four of us were born in the summer of 1942.  We grew up together and were great friends throughout childhood.  When we turned 18, we all left for college --and then went  our separate ways into different lives.

A sweet picture of Susan and Duke, 2009

Then in 1992,  when we all turned FIFTY,  we decided to meet for a few days of catch-up... That 'get-together' was AWESOME ---and we talked a mile a minute for about 3 days!!!! We decided at that time to try to meet every year in the Fall for another special time together.   We have done it most every year since 1992. 

Betsy and Susan, in 1992, on our first Getaway trip

One thing about these trips together is that we spent more time in our robes and gowns than our clothes!!!!! We looked through old yearbooks and talked about everyone that we knew 'back in the day'.... I have such wonderful memories of those trips together.

That cute little Susan getting ready to take a 'dip' in the creek (NOT)

Susan was the sweetest one of the four of us.. She was a peacemaker ---and always saw the best side of everyone and everything.  When we would get in a 'discussion' about a certain issue,  Susan would be the one who could see both sides --and helped us to come to a good  balance.

This gal always had a smile on her face.

Susan lived in Atlanta and worked for many years in the insurance business.  She married an Alabama boy --who loved her with a passion.  You can imagine how hard all of this has been on Duke.  They raised two wonderful sons, Brad and Ben.  Brad got married in 2001 --and I was was privileged to attend that wedding.  He and his wife Joy have given Susan three wonderful grandchildren... Ben is getting married in the Fall --and Susan had hoped to live long enough to go to that wedding.  She will be there with them in spirit now.

Betsy, Nita, Susan, Reida

The picture above was the last picture that the four of us have together.  It was on our 2009 trip to Maggie Valley, North Carolina.  We knew at that time that SuSu had cancer, but she was doing well then.  That trip however will remain in my memory as one of my favorites.

Look at all of my winnings!!!!!

Susan and Nita had a good time when we went to New Orleans in 1995.  We went on a casino boat ---and they just had to play the slot machines!!!!!  Susan actually won a little money!!!!  One would have thought it was a million dollars! ha

In the Sevierville, TN area in 2007

Our trip in 2007 was to a gorgeous condo in Sevierville, TN... We of course had to do some 'window shopping' in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg.  Susan wanted to take that big pumpkin home with her!!!!

Taken at the Wunderland Hotel,  near Gatlinburg, TN --1993

"Sweet, Sweet Susan:  You will be missed.  Our trips won't be the same without you.  I'm glad that Nita was with you when you died because she represented all 3 of us... We love you dearly.  We'll be watching for your smile from that big pink cloud in the sky."

Susan gave all three of us a gorgeous photograph album in 2009 ---with pictures from all of our trips together.  In my album,  she wrote this for me:  "For my dear friend, Betsy.  I  will forever treasure these memories of our 'Getaway Gang' trips.  Love you, Susan"

Susan's Response to us

This picture jumped out at me yesterday when I was going through our photo albums looking for special pictures.  This picture was taken in New Orleans in 1995 ---but I think she really made this picture for us today.   I can almost hear her say: "Hey Girls,  I am fine --and will be watching all of you from above.  Now behave yourselves. When you get here,  we'll have a big party."

Have a great weekend---and hug the ones you love. I am taking a couple of days off from blogging and commenting.  See you Monday!
Hugs,