Team Anderson's tip to stay at the Boulder Dam Hotel is a winner. Opened in 1933 to accommodate builders and VIPs visiting the Boulder Dam- later named the Hoover Dam, the hotel is comfortable, beautifully furnished with antiques and a good deal. We had a great breakfast there and checked out the museum before rolling out to ride the River Mountains Loop.
Located in Boulder City's historic district, the hotel is a short walk to lots of restaurants and shops, and a perfect launch point for the ride.
Henry Fonda, Boris Karloff, Shirley Temple and Bette Davis were among the famous guests at the Boulder Dam Hotel in the 1930s. Howard Hughes recuperated here after he wrecked his plane on Lake Mead. This photo hangs in the hotel's Restaurant 1933, named for the year the hotel opened.
Inside the hotel, the Boulder City-Hoover Dam Museum is worth the time we spent learning what life was like for workers on the dam during the Great Depression. From 1931 to 1936 more than 21,000 men worked to build the biggest dam in the world at the time. While they dealt with intense desert heat and dangerous working conditions, their families endured the harsh environment in makeshift camps.
In the museum, an exhibit about the high-scalers who rappelled down the canyon walls to drill out loose rock.
After a good breakfast at the hotel we headed out on the River Mountains Loop that connects Boulder City with Lake Mead and Henderson. The 34 mile National Recreation Trail circles the rugged peaks of the River Mountains that were formed by volcanoes 12 million years ago.
We descended for the first 11 chilly miles down to the lake under partly sunny skies, with the breeze stinging our hands. After the cold ride in Red Rock the day before I felt pretty dumb wearing fingerless gloves again.
The trail is wonderful - wide and smooth with meandering curves. The deep blue lake grew ever larger as we got closer.
From the low point we warmed up again on a gradual climb over the next 24 miles of rolling terrain. Some of the hills were a challenge, getting up to a 14 percent grade. As the path ascended the mountains we took in sweeping views in all directions.
I like to cover at least 50 miles on the bike to claim a new state. Between Red Rock Canyon and this trail the 53 miles we have logged in Nevada were scenic and satisfying.
Hopefully we'll get back to Nevada to ride and hike in the Valley of Fire state park north of Las Vegas. I'd happily do this ride again too, and add the old railroad trail to the Dam next time. Check out the Andersons' 2020 post for more about that side trip and Boulder City's backstory.
After the ride we checked out some of the art in the historic district.
Roy Butler's "Afternoon Breeze" honors the women who civilized Boulder City. While their men toiled to build the dam, the women built their homes and community, planting vines, weaving rugs from scraps, filling cracks in the walls to keep out snakes and starting schools. They pressed on through "hard work, ingenuity, and an occasional afternoon breeze."
Looking at this sculpture, I saw a dude with dreadlocks out for a joyride. Barry saw a gas motor that powers an electric motor to drive the wheel. We are wired differently.
Dinner was at the Cornish Pasty Company. Pasties are pastries filled with meat and veggies that were a staple for miners in Cornwall, England for hundreds of years. Some miners who migrated to Michigan in the 19th century eventually found their way to Nevada, bringing the delicious pastries with them.
Bwhind the bar at the Cornish Pasty Co, a cool vintage photo of workers on the dam
