Idaho Falls region

Holidays are about being flexible and living in the moment. Initially we'd thought we'd go to Salt Lake City area, but when it suited for Mavis' sister and husband to come visit, we decided to stay put for a few more days.  Each day we went on an excursion in the area. 

ASHTON - TETON TRAIL

The rain let up, and the clouds lifted somewhat and we headed out on a scenic drive, together in one vehicle, including Molly, the dog.  We did a circle drive north east towards the Teton Mountains, but unfortunately, the clouds hadn’t lifted quite enough to see the peaks.  Nevertheless, the views were beautiful as we drove through a broad agricultural valley (think potato farming) with foothills and mountains all around.

The Ashton to Tetonia Trail is a 29.6 mile trail following along a former rail bed.  We found an access point, down a muddy gravel road.  The trail had quite a bit of snow on it heading left so we turned right. There was still enough snow for Molly to roll around in!  We hiked along for about a mile or so,  past a small old elevator to a little bridge across a very murky stream.  It was cool and cloudy and we were thankful for the warm gear we’d packed along.

Dog on the loose!

In our habit of looking for unique local restaurants for lunch, we found the right place in Driggs.  Provisions was a popular place.  The bison sausage chowder was delicious, as was the chicken soup that Mavis and Paul ordered.

When in the mountains, there will be mountain passes and we crossed another mountain range just past Victor, coming into the Snake River valley. We stopped at a look-off spot and by now the sun was out and it was much warmer. 

The name suits - the smell is nauseating.

Back at the campground, it was warm enough to pull out the lawn chairs and relax in the sun while trying to stay out of the wind.  Dinner was served inside, because, you know, we can – and it’s just so much nicer than in the wind with your jackets on.  Yes, we’re glampers, not campers.   

CRATERS OF THE MOON

It was a bit sunnier today and we decided to head off into the other direction, away from the Tetons and Snake River and into the desert.  This is real desolate country.  In fact, it seems to be remote enough that it’s the home of the INL, Idaho National Laboratory, a nuclear testing facility.  Fifty-two reactors have been built and operated in this area since 1949.  The one that is the museum piece unfortunately wouldn’t be open until Memorial Day weekend so we carried on through the desert wasteland.

If what we drove through looked like the ends of the earth, the Craters of the Moon was a weird and beautiful place.  The park contains three lava fields formed by volcanic eruptions originating from a 52-mile long tear in the earth’s crust, known as the Great Rift. Eruptions which began about 15,000 years ago and continued until only 2,000 years ago. The resulting volcanic features appear to have happened yesterday.  We took a hike around an area called Devil’s Orchard, so named by a visiting minister about 100 years ago.  It's a jumble of lava rock, limber pines and sagebrush, hiding pika and other creatures.  The longer driving tour was still closed because of snow conditions, understandable as the average elevation is about 5,900 ft. 

On the way back we stopped in Arco for lunch.  Arco is the first community powered by atomic energy.  Pickles was the place to be.  It was famous for its Atomic Burger and other dishes with references to nuclear power.  The hill behind the town was called Number Hill because the graduating classes for over the last hundred years have been adding their date to the hill.  

We returned back to camp and enjoyed the warmer weather, waiting for Karen and Boyd to arrive from Vale, Oregon, and then enjoying a BBQ steak supper.  It might have been warmer, but that was momentary.  It was still more enjoyable to eat inside the RV.  Ours was the host trailer.  

IDAHO FALLS

Finally a morning warm enough to have breakfast outside! It's camping season after all.

Karen and Mavis are sisters and hadn’t seen each other for a long time and had lots of catching up to do.  What better than to take time to walk along the falls in Idaho Falls.  It was a beautiful sunny day, which became obvious as we all had a sun-kissed faces by the end of the walk. 

The Idaho Falls on the Snake River are an interesting combination of a weir and power plant with natural rock falls.  These were rebuilt in the early 1980s when an earthen dam in Rexburg failed, sending flood waters downstream causing extensive damage. 

What was becoming a habit now was to find a unique spot for lunch.  The historic downtown, next to the river, had lots of eating options.  Paul's always great at engaging locals in conversation and getting recommendations and we were encouraged to eat at The Soup Market.  They had a choice of about seven or eight soups and homemade breads.  Everyone was satisfied with their lunch choices.  It was the perfect spot. 

The ladies then continued on around the block to check out the shops while the men spotted some patio chairs at a coffee shop to wait for us.  Our first stop was Poppy and Pout, a lip balm company that makes their products right on site.  Next, was a Bumble and Bleat Soapery which also made it’s products right on site.  We continued on, poking into a bookstore, and a consignment clothing shop before rejoining the men who by now had been sent down the street to another outdoor patio as the coffee shop was closing and wanted their chairs back!

 

We made our way back to the campground and enjoyed a delicious enchilada dinner, courtesy of Karen, and continued visiting until it was time to call it a night.