Hot Dam and Cool Treat

UPDATE FROM THE ROAD: MPA is still off campus. After a couple of days in the Grand Canyon, it was off to Flagstaff, Arizona for a night, and then back to Vegas. On the way back to Vegas, we felt it would be remiss if we didn't stop by a world-renowned engineering marvel, the Hoover Dam.

Annabelle will give you a brief overview of our visit. More facts and photos to come when we're back on 'campus.'

When we arrived at the Hoover Dam, the temperature was over 105 degrees

Fahrenheit in the air alone, meaning the dam itself was over 110. When we stepped out of the car, we immediately began walking to the nearest drinking fountain, hoping to get some relief from the intense heat. We splashed ourselves with water and filled our bottle to the brim, enjoying the shade when we could. On one side of the dam, there was a "cooling station" with a large swamp fan provided to the public.

The architecture of the dam itself was beautiful, with multiple concrete arches and an Art Deco look. There were two towers along the edge with large clocks reading "Arizona time" and "Nevada time" respectively. There were multiple memorials scattered along the edge dedicated to the workers and volunteers that helped create the dam, including one featuring two angels surrounding the American Flag. The dam is hard to describe in words, but it's completely free to drive across, and if you'd like to walk, parking is just $10.

We've been working on a few projects around the house, and having fun in Vegas - including seeing Queen on Saturday night (more on that later). We've also had some fun with food experiences. CJ will tell you about a trip to the custard shop today. ...

On the way back to Vegas for the weekend. On 17 September 2018, a warm, sunny day in Las Vegas, I went with my father, my brother, and my sister to CJ's Italian Ice & Custard, located at 3555 South Durango Drive. According to the creamery's About Us page, CJ (the founder of the establishment) founded the restaurant because he felt the Las Vegas area was lacking in custard and Italian ice, which is a dessert staple in the Eastern United States (where he grew up.)

While at the restaurant, I ordered a regular-size Italian Ice + Custard treat. From bottom to top, it was:

• Chocolate custard

• Mountain Dew Baja Blast Italian Ice

• Salted caramel custard

It tasted better than one might expect. In addition, I also got an "I  ❤️  CJ's" t-shirt (which, according to my mother, appeared as though it was designed by a nine-year-old girl.)