One of Lake Mead's many coves

Las Vegas is one of the world’s most well-known vacation destinations, but just 30 minutes outside of Sin City is a virtually undiscovered paradise perfect for traveling families. Lake Mead and Black Canyon, one formed by the Hoover Dam and the other tamed by it, are an idyllic setting for adventures in a truly unique outdoor arena.

Lake Mead is a massive lake created when the Hoover Dam stopped up the raging Colorado River. The largest man-made lake in the country, Lake Mead offers over 100 miles of space for boaters, swimmers, and water skiers. The lake itself is rimmed by ancient cliffs and craggy boulders that claw at the Nevada sky. The shore is a mixture of flat rock face and secret enclaves where boaters can beach themselves on soft sands. From a distance, the clean spring water that fills the lake sparkles an ethereal blue, but up close the water is so clear you can see the over-sized fish that the lake is stocked with weekly.

Bypass bridge above the Hoover Dam and Colorado River

On the other side of the concrete dam, the Colorado River is allowed to continue its flow, although markedly slower and steadier than before the post-Depression engineers came. The smooth waters slip through Black Canyon, inviting kayaks, canoes, and rafts to explore what was once a dangerous stretch of river. Today, the 12 miles of river that straddle the Arizona and Nevada state line below the Hoover Dam provides a safe and beautiful place for hikers, backpackers, and campers to navigate between beaches, trails, and hot spring water falls.

The landscapes here are as dramatic as any that have graced the covers of travel magazines, but perhaps its the ease of getting here that makes it less appealing for those seeking exotic experiences. Boulder City, groceries, hotels, and wifi are a short bus ride away from the Colorado River, and Lake Mead is accessible through the Lake Mead National Park and Recreation area. The Lake Mead RV Village offers inexpensive camping and nightly activities for campers, neither of which scream “call of the wild adventure!”

Black Canyon

No, this is not a place to risk life or limb anymore. It’s safe, with relatively few rescue calls each year in either the canyon or the lake, according to local volunteers, unlike the nearby Grand Canyon whose rangers pull out 250 distressed hikers each year.

And yes, evidence of the hand of man is everywhere, from the dam itself and the impressive bridge that now soars above it, to the remnants of settling ponds that can be seen at the bottom of Lake Mead. But make no mistake, the presence of human interference has done nothing to diminish the overwhelming presence of God here.

Photos: Britt Reints

With all of the presidential campaigning and primary hoopla, I thought it appropriate to ask some former presidents their opinion. So far, no comment.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located near Keystone, South Dakota and features some of America’s greatest presidential hits.

Mount Rushmore is an amazing place to visit and should be included on every family road trip within a 100 mile radius. Give or take. It’s fun and educational!

Over the years people have suggested other presidents be added to the monument — who would you like to see on Mount Rushmore?

Directions to Mount Rushmore

This post is part of the Uptake Monday Museums, Monuments and Memorials Series.

Photo: jimbowen0306 via Flickr

kayaking in Huntington Beach State Park

If you’re a fan of kayaking like I am, you probably enjoy the sensation of  of gliding across the water and feeling the gentle waves below you. Well I discovered a different sensation while kayaking  through Huntington Beach Sate Park, near Myrtle Beach.  I felt it shortly after I started paddling and felt something stuck  on my paddle. It was smelly, greenish brown  and it’s called pluff mud. Read More »

Madera Canyon, Arizona

Madera Canyon is a lovely little tucked-away spot in southern Arizona. My husband and I discovered it one weekend while we were whiling away the day in the Tucson area. We followed a winding road that crossed over low desert, then started to climb until we suddenly found ourselves among tall trees and greenery. Madera Canyon and Madera Creek traverse four different “life zones” which supports a variety of flora and fauna in a relatively small area.

The area is considered to be the third-best birding destination in the United States – ornithology enthusiasts will be able to sight over 256 documented species of birds, including 15 different kinds of hummingbirds and 36 species of wood warblers. Patrons of the canyon’s parks and trails will frequently come across small herds of deer and flocks of wild turkeys – even black bears, mountain lions and bobcats have been spotted on occasion.

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