Topeka West Holidome

We talked about the Holidomes before. Now, the former Holiday Inn Holidome in Topeka, Kansas, will be torn down and replaced with apartments. This Holidome, located on the west side of town just off I-70, appears to have been built in the early 80s. It eventually became a Ramada Inn but kept much of the Holidome architecture, including the interior courtyard and pool. It permanently closed about four years ago. Photos of the shut-down hotel are at the Topeka Courier-Journal online. Some photos of the hotel in happier times (when it may have already transitioned into a Ramada) are below, by way of Google.

Source: Google/Steve Barton
Source: Google/Rod Bagley

Source: Google/alisarodriguez

Featured Image: Holiday Inn Topeka West Postcard may predate the Holidome expansion.

Driving Northshore Road along Lake Mead

Northshore Road runs along, yes, the north shore of Lake Mead. The shoreline itself is now far east of the road because of long-term drought in the region. Coming west from Hoover Dam, we turned onto it near Lake Las Vegas and drove it up to Valley of Fire, stopping several times along the way.

Palm tree and spring
Rogers Spring
Jeep Compass Trailhawk on desert road
Our ride: Jeep Compass Trailhawk, courtesy of National Car Rental