As part of the Congressional Award Program Alex has to plan several day trips, (6-8 hours). He planned his first one locally at Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. He decided to learn the history of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, practice photography, and observe the wildlife.
Alex did all the planning. He decided what we would do, what we would bring, and a time line. He did the shopping. He also enjoyed riding shotgun all day.
Our first step was to hike the Historic Railway Tunnel Trail. This was the railroad that brought supplies to Hoover Dam as it was being built. Alex read the notice board when we got there and discovered that part of the trail was closed due to deterioration of beams in the third tunnel. He adjusted his plans and we hiked what we could.
It was the first time the kids and I saw a living tarantula in the wild.
After the hike, we went to Lake Mead Visitor Center. The visitor's center has a small museum that includes hands-on activities and videos.
For lunch we used Sabrina's new Every Kid in a Park 4th Grade Pass, which is a free pass that fourth graders can get that allows them and anybody with them to get into all National Parks free for a year, (it is available starting at the beginning of the school year and expires Aug 31st of the following year). We went to a picnic area at Lake Mead. It was Alex's first time to do the grilling. It was a good place for bird watching. We saw Robins, a woodpecker, Ravens, and some other small birds we couldn't identify.
You can't go to Lake Mead without visiting the Lake. We walked along the shore. I was searching for beach glass, but did not find any this time. We saw several sea gulls. Alex took pictures of them and of the landscape.
Hoover Dam was our next stop. There is free parking on the Arizona side. There are also about a million steps on the Arizona side. I am feeling it today.
There is a free Hoover Dam Museum in Boulder City. It is small, but packed with lots of information.
Our final stop was Hemenway Park, which is a park overlooking Lake Mead. Sabrina was thrilled. This is a normal park, but it is used by a herd of Bighorn Sheep. Alex took the picture of the Bighorn Sheep with Lake Mead in the background.
Alex did really well planning this trip. He did learn that it is best to pack the night before and to not do the shopping the day of the trip. Getting out the door took a lot longer than it should have. However, once we got there his planning went smoothly, even with having to cut the hike short. Cutting the hike short also messed up his time line, but he added in the park to get his time.
Marie-Anne
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