Day 15

Jackson, Wyoming to Melba, Idaho

8 hrs. 393 miles

Today was a day of drastic landscape changes! We saw majestic mountains, winding rivers, huge reservoirs, volcanic lava fields, rolling hills, and desolate prairie! This was the scenery today as we drove from Wyoming to Idaho (near Boise).

We left the campground early-by 7 am in freezing temperatures and by the time we arrived on the other side of the mountains at 3 this afternoon near Boise, it was near 90 degrees! What a change!

We rode mostly on secondary roads, avoiding the highways as much as possible.  The mountains leaving Wyoming were magnificent all the way-we followed the Snake River until Idaho Falls, going through the Grand Canyon of the Snake-and passing the Pallisades Reservoir. The water level was low, and the sandy shoreline was impressive, with the layers of sand and rock exposed.

As the mountains ended we entered into a barren wasteland, completely treeless, flat, and miles and miles of sagebrush. We passed two interesting places: INL and EBR-1. I had to look both up on my phone, but just from the looks of things, Dennis and I guessed that it reminded us of Area 51. We were not too far off! The first, INL stands for Idaho National Laboratories. This is a facility of the Department of Energy where they test and research Nuclear Production of Energy and other nuclear research.  EBR-1 stands for Experimental Breeder Reactor 1, and is the site of the very first nuclear generated electricity. Evidently the site is listed on the historic register and is available for tours during the summer months.  This electricity was first provided to the town of Arco-and as we drove through the tiny farm town, they were proud to share their history. There was a restaurant on the edge of town called Eat at Pickles-Home of the Atomic Burger. Needless to say, we did not stop to taste one!

 We continued on through rolling hills of sagebrush and cattle open range until, suddenly, we started noticing what looked like volcanic rock. Upon studying the map a little closer, we realized that we would be passing by an unexpected National Park-Craters of the Moon National Park and Monument-so we decided to stop and find out more about it! What a weird landscape-who would have ever thought that there was  a volcanic rift running right through the middle of Idaho! When planning the trip, we just thought we were choosing the best route to visit Dennis’ sister Colleen…we did not expect another National Park to add to our list! We pulled in to the visitor center and went inside to get more information. Turns out about 2,000 years ago the Great Rift that runs across the Snake River Valley between the Snake River and the upper mountain ranges of Idaho erupted in many places and left huge lava fields. It was avoided for hundreds of years by explorers, but the Native Americans of the area had traversed it for many years on their migration routes. A later explorer and geographer, Goodall, made famous the route that we took across Idaho 20 and cutoff many miles of traveling along the Snake River across Idaho, and cut through the lava fields. In the 1920’s it was made into a National Monument. It is really bizarre to see 7,000 ft. tall buttes rising out of the flat plain, and then a huge expanse of lava fields. It reminded Eric of his trip to Hawaii! We took a little drive through the park, stopped and had lunch, and got out and walked a little to get some pictures. Then it was back on the road.

The next big change in scenery was a range of mountains that we had to cross to get to Boise. These mountains included part of Boise National Forest, and were different than any others we had previously crossed. The hills were rolling, but high (not rocky and steep) and barren of anything except lots of sagebrush and a few trees. This whole route, popularized by Goodall, was traversed by the wagon trains and stagecoaches traveling west, and was peppered with historic sites. One that was interesting was a rocky mountain pass that was the site of multiple stagecoach robberies. It was easy to see how the bandits would hide out in the hills and as the stagecoaches passed, they could spring upon the travelers and burglarize them.

Once we came down the windy mountains the land opened up once again to a flat and shapeless prairie.  The rest of the drive to Boise was the same, until we arrived at Dennis’ sister’s house, tucked amongst cattle farms, corn fields, mint fields and irrigation canals.

All of our drives have been different in many ways, but today’s drive, although it was not terribly long, involved the most variety in changes of landscape.

We enjoyed some homemade pizza made by Colleen, a visit from her son, Ehud and his wife, Cassie, and some catching up and visiting together. The kids played with the dogs and Leah fed the goats hay until they could eat no more!

It has been a big day. We have the RV all set up in their driveway-they have hookups for a motorhome at their house, so we are connected and making ourselves at home for a few days!

 Leaving the Grand Tetons through the Snake River Valley-we have really loved Wyoming and hope to come back here again some day!

 The Pallisades Reservoir-made by damming up the Snake River

 Flat land and then all of a sudden a butte-3 of these were in a row

 INL-this place was heavily gated and warning signs all over. This was as close as we could have gotten. It had its own airport.

 In the town of Arco, powered by the first nuclear reactor. I don't think I would eat their burgers!

 The surprise of the day-Craters of the Moon-an unexpected piece of our landscape!

 Volcanic lava fields like this for miles and miles

 Straight for as far as the eye could see-a good art study in vanishing points!

 Parked and set up at Colleen's house

Dennis hasn't seen his sister, Colleen in at least 2 years-it is good to see her again!