Henderson, Nevada

Last Friday morning I walked to Arizona.

Really.

I was back home by lunchtime.

This Summer I plan to channel the Dora-the-Explorer within me by sightseeing in my own spectacular back yard.  For the past 25 years, living in the West, I’ve been destination-driven, always traveling here-to-there, too busy for stops among those smelly roses. Lately I’ve reached that, “If Not Now, When” point in life, worrying that those pesky roses could wilt. (Maybe, I’m more concerned about me wilting.) Whatever my reasoning, my route is clear. Colorado, Utah. Nevada, and Calli. Bring it on!

The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, Hoover Dam  (roadboystravels.blogspot.com)

It will be difficult to ever top my exhilarating premier adventure. Last Friday morning I walked over the Hoover Dam on a bridge that soars 900 feet above the meandering Colorado River. In a skyscraper, that would put you about on the 65th Floor. Take a deep breath.

Construction on the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge began in January 2005, shortly after we moved here. To watch its six years under construction was to recognize American ingenuity at work. The experience of my then standing on it was, in a word, awe-inspiring.

View from the Nevada side, beginning of the bridge walk

an iPad photo opportunity for a lucky tourist

This is the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge built in this country, its concrete arch being the widest in the Western Hemisphere. Although Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge claims bragging rights to being the highest, the Hoover Dam bypass bridge is a close second. This entire project was successfully completed on budget at a cost of $240 million.

I chose to visit early, beating tourist buses and the heat. It’s easy to spot the two kinds of bridge visitors. One is wearing a wide, Holy Cow, grin. The other, terrified, unable to move, clutches the railing with claws of steel. Don’t expect to hear English. Hoover Dam, one of the modern wonders of the world, is a must-stop for international visitors. Unsurprisingly, the experience of crossing this nearly 2000 feet long expanse, has been added to their list. The bridge, part of U.S. 93 and the North American Free Trade Agreement route between Mexico and Canada, connects Nevada and Arizona. It is named after former Nevada Governor Mike O’Callaghan and  Pat Tillman who graduated with honors from Arizona State University, played professional football for the Arizona Cardinals and died in 2004, at the age of 27, from friendly fire in Afghanistan. More than 14,000 vehicles roll across the bridge daily.

Another Hoover Dam view, walking to Arizona

From the Arizona point-of-view

At the Apex (pinnacle) of the structure I met a little girl, casually relaxing on the bridge walkway (her family was nearby, albeit not in the photo). As I strolled by, she mentioned, “Daddy’s bridge.” Being the curious journalist and spotting a photo op when I met one, I stopped for an explanation.  “Daddy” turned out to be Nic, the Project Engineer for the bridge’s construction. He was joined by Mike, the first Project Manager. Nic and his family now live in Iowa and were making their first trip back to see his bridge-in-action!

Taking a short rest of her Daddy’s Bridge

Mike, first Project Manager, Boulder City (left); Nic, Project Engineer, Iowa

Friday was a beautiful, lucky-to-be-alive, 80-degree day in Nevada.   As I lingered at the Apex of this daunting example of design and engineering, my exhilaration could not help but be tempered by the tragic Tillman story, still a recent and bruising national memory. Although this was uncomfortable, I considered experiencing sadness an appropriate part of this journey.

The bridge is open to walkers from dawn to dusk. I know I’ll return, again and again.

Plaque marking the Apex, the highest point of the bridge over Hoover Dam (flickr.com)