The Gift Of The Colorado

Last month, I had the opportunity to visit the US for the second time. It was a short 2 week jaunt but, as luck would have it, there was the long Memorial Day weekend in between. I tried to make the most of the weekend and managed to do a whirlwind tour of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. All three locations are amazing and I feel lucky to have been able to experience them.

The common thread between the three locations is the river Colorado. Las Vegas exists in the middle of the desert and depends upon this river for its life blood. Colorado supplies the city with water and vital energy from the Hoover dam, without which all the glitz and glamour, that Vegas is famous for, would be impossible. The Hoover Dam on the Colorado is a testimony to mankind’s efforts to tame nature since the dawn of civilization. It is an imposing structure. Nevada is in a state of drought and the reservoir known as Lake Mead has water levels that are at a historic low. Maybe it is Mother Nature’s way of striking back at our extravagant ways. Last, but not the least, the Grand Canyon is in league with the mighty Himalayas as the most awe aspiring natural features on the face of our planet. The dazzling array of colours on display here leave the onlooker spell bound. As the sun rays bounce off the steep walls they create incredible colours and patterns. One can only marvel at the power of persistent erosion for being able to carve out this most beautiful scar. It is a gentle reminder that our imagination can never match Nature’s creativity.

Enough with the words. Let the pictures tell the story!

View from my room

Driving across the desert

The bone dry mountains

Amazing vistas!

Vegas baby!

View of the Strip

Another view of the Strip

Fountain show at the Bellagio!

Inside New York-New York Hotel & Casino

The Bellagio resplendent in all its glory

Sculptures inside Caesar’s palace

Casino at the Caesar’s Palace

Frescoes at Caesar’s Palace

More of Caesar’s Palace

Slice of Paris in Vegas!

Special Effects!

Volcano Show at the Mirage

First view of the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

Lake Mead

Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge spanning the Colorado

Desolate beauty!

It was raining in the distance!

Watercolours by nature – captured at 80 mph

First view of the Grand Canyon from South Rim

More dazzle!

From Yaki point

All 5 frames welded into 1 panoramic shot

PS: All pictures were taken with my Nokia Lumia 1520. Just in case you were wondering which DSLR I was carrying 😉
Post on my previous visit