Completed in 1935, Hoover Dam was a remarkable achievement. It produces over four billion kilowatt-hours of energy per year. The art-deco style structure is distinctive and guided tours, wheelchair accessible, depart regularly from the visitor center. Also of interest are the exhibits and theater presentations. The bare vastness of the Hopi landscape emphasizes the visual impact of every plant, every rock, every arroyo.
Nothing is overlooked or taken for granted.
Each ant, each lizard, each lark is imbued with great value simply because the creature is there, simply because the creature is alive in a place where any life at all is precious. Stand on the mesa edge at Walpai and look west over the bare distances toward the pale blue outlines of the San Francisco peaks where the ka'tsina spirits reside. So little lies between you and the sky. So little lies between you and the earth. You realize you will be speaking with all of them if you intend to last out the year.