2008.05 | Las Vegas, NV | Our First Cadillac Vacation

If the Grand Canyon is one of nature's most impressive accomplishments, then surely the Hoover Dam is one of man's most impressive.

You don't have to cross over Hoover Dam in order to get to or from the Grand Canyon, but I would strongly suggest it, especially because you won't be able to drive over this engineering and architectural masterpiece for much longer (an impressive bypass route and bridge are nearing completion). You will have to go through a security checkpoint (a post 9/11 fact of life), slowly wind through a dozen hairpin curves and then crawl across the two lanes on the top of the dam, but it's well worth the time. We were lucky enough to arrive at the dam just as the sun was starting to set and the light was stunning.

The next day we drove up to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for a little hiking through some truly beautiful desert terrain. During my time in Vegas in 1999, I spent a signficant amount of time in this area. It's only ten miles out of the city, and the long steady climb up the hill is a perfect training route for a cyclist who is preparing for much longer rides.

Red Rock is also a great place for hikers. Given the proximity to the city, and the variety of different hikes in the area, it's hard to believe that everyone in Las Vegas doesn't come up here every weekend.