Day 30, 2015-05-20 - Continued
SUCCESS! Many thanks
to Middlekauff Ford in Twin Falls for getting the truck repaired today (for the
gearheads in the group, it was a faulty DEF sensor). This allowed us to make it to the next stop
on our journey only a half day behind.
We think we can make that up tomorrow without any problem. Tonight we find ourselves in the farming and
trout fishing community of Picabo (peek-a-boo), ID. You may remember a female Olympic skier a
number of years ago named Picabo Street.
Turns out this is her hometown, for which she was named. Picabo, ID is home to Silver Creek, a world
renowned trout stream, so much so that there is even an airstrip for “fly in”
fishing. You now know everything there
is to know about Picabo, ID. Pictures were deemed “not necessary”. 80 (4,578)
Day 31, 2015-05-21
Today started with a drive to Craters of the Moon National
Monument. This area is composed of several layers of different kinds of lava
flows from many volcanic eruptions across the eons. It is everything from soft and appealing
cinder mounds with pretty desert flowers to jagged conglomerations of sharp
lava rock.
It is also home to a phenomenon known as “Witches
Brew”. This happens when a dwarf
mistletoe attaches itself to a fir tree.
The parasitic reaction causes the tree to grow tangles of branches that
are referred to as Witches Brew.
After Craters, it was back to Picabo to pick up the trailer
and head north up the Sawtooth Scenic Byway toward Stanley, ID. This drive took us over an 8700 foot pass
(complete with snow on the sides of the road) then down into the Salmon River
Valley. Our campsite on the river now
becomes a strong contender for most picturesque campsite of the trip.
Our camp host, Vern, lived in Alaska for 3 years. He gave us three recommendations for “don’t
miss” local hangouts in Anchorage. I’ll
report on them when we get there if we are able to find them.
Tonight we went into Stanley so I
could have a steak for my birthday. Mom,
thanks for the card and cash – you bought dinner. Stanley has one gravel street with a couple
of rundown looking buildings that say they are restaurants. We didn’t hold out much hope. But, much to
our surprise, we had two of the best steaks we have ever eaten. The sides were perfect as was the homemade
soup and sourdough bread. Guess we
shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Bettie
opted for Harp Lager while I had a couple of Mirror Pond IPAs. What a way to celebrate!
194 (4772)
Day 32, 2015-05-22
Today we continued up the Sawtooth Scenic Byway (ID 75 and
US 93). This is the most beautiful drive
we have taken yet. The road runs along
the bank of the Salmon River, and when I say along the bank, I mean along the
bank. In many places the road is two
lane and only a few feet from the river’s edge.
In other places it is equally as narrow, but runs along the edge of the
canyon bluff, fifty feet or so above the river.
Motorcycle aficionados take note, this road is full of twists and turns
and dips and rises, for about 130 miles.
The first part of the drive took us through heavily forested areas. The spruce trees looked like candles rising
from the river bottom up the canyon.
Just as I asked Bettie to take a picture from the truck, we emerged into
a completely different landscape as the environment transitioned from forest to
valley, with vegetation covering what looked like velvet covered rolling hills. Since that kind of stuff doesn’t show well in
pictures, you’ll just have to take my word for how spectacular this is.
Our campsite for the next 4 nights is Josephine’s Pizza and
RV Park. No kidding. You can’t make this stuff up. But, what a nice place. Our trailer backs up to within 15 feet of the
North Fork of the Salmon River. Jo and
Vic are great hosts, very accommodating and helpful with local information. Here’s
a look at our view.
Bettie says she likes this better than our site last night,
so we have a new contender in the campsite contest. 146 (4,918)
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