Idaho Falls, Idaho: First a quick update from last night. After I had posted my column, we were unexpectedly treated to a fabulous fireworks show. Glenns Ferry is a very small town (1,300 people), yet the fireworks show was first-rate big-town fabulous! The show started late, and we weren't expecting it, so were surprised when the sky above us lit up. Thank you, Glenns Ferry for a lovely 4th of July!
Before leaving Glenns (no apostrophe!) Ferry this morning we exercised and went (our third visit) to the Three Island Crossing State Park Visitor Center where we learned how settlers crossed the river (the wagon acting as a boat, with Mr. Glenn leading across the river, following a rope lead from island to island, to reach the other shore), and how settlers and the Army killed the natives. Glenn later built a large ferry that could hold a wagon and its passengers and critters. In 1878 it cost $1.50 for a wagon and two horses to cross the ferry. A horse and rider were 25 cents. Families had to decide whether to cross the ferry or not. Just like in the Oregon Trail video game (I think Lisa died of dysentery several times in 4th grade). You could die or lose all your belongings during a crossing. Taking the southern route was dry and offered not much for your oxen to eat. The northern route had plenty of water and plenty of grass. It's a gamble.
We continued our route east, but left I-84 at Gooding, because My Geologist needed to see Craters of the Moon National Monument AGAIN. Fine by me, and fine to see rural countryside and small farms instead of interstate freeway. We found cherries and massive apricots at a farm stand in Carey (population 639). They also had goat cheese, goat yoghurt, honey, and eggs. Our sales clerk was the nine year old granddaughter of the farmer.
We used our National Parks Pass to enter Craters of the Moon, did the loop drive, stopping several places to see the lava flows, cones, and caves. We had lunch and hiked up to a few craters. It wasn’t much fun though due to gusty winds. This was our fourth visit to the park, and the first time without camping here. We hiked to Spatter Cone and Snow Cone (just next to each other). Snow cone has snow in the base year-round. They are too difficult to photograph, but are just two vertical lava tubes. Very cool (if you are a geologist).
We recall this scenic turnout (above) well. Years ago, we were camped in Craters of the Moon (dry camping only) and our batteries became so low, they were setting off all sorts of alarms at 2a. The only "cure" for this was to start our generator, which would have not been a very popular plan in the middle of the night in a place with zero noise and zero light. Instead we started the engine and hit the highway (with me - blind lady! - following in the tow car). Just a bit after the park entrance is the above view point... where we ran our generator the rest of the night and slept like babies. Ah, the good old days.
Next exciting event was driving through Arco, population less than 1000. The high school classes paint their graduation year on the mountain above town, and Arco is the first city in America electrified with atomic power, as next door to Arco is the Idaho National Laboratory and breeder reactor. We knew a guy who worked at the lab and said it is the best place in America to get a flat tire, because if you stop your car on the side of the road, military will be to you within seconds - just in case you are up to something not having to do with a flat tire. Oddly enough, in the middle of the Idaho desert, the mascot of the high school in Arco is a pirate. A pirate. Hundreds of miles from any ocean. I can't make this stuff up.
And finally we cruised into Idaho Falls where we would stop for the night. We had super good luck by finding old-school diesel at the first fueling station we tried - and it was Sinclair, where we have been skunked every time prior to today. We found our campground and were greeted with this sign at the check-in desk:
You know dinner is going to be yummy when you see these spices prepped! I made my Butter Chicken tonight, served with basmati rice and a chilled cucumber salad.
Until my next update, I remain, your "not packing" correspondent.
Campground Information: Snake River RV Park - Used to be a KOA. It is on the river, but is quite run-down and filled with live-ins. Full-service sites, laundry, pool, bathhouse, tent sites, RV supplies, ice, propane. Very close to Highway 20. We paid about $72 per night.
When I told my husband you guys were having trouble finding the correct diesel he said, “once they get out of Oregon/Washington, they will have much better luck.”