The Road Less Traveled

Today we followed the Oregon Trail, or at least the Goodale Cutoff, named after Tim Goodale who led about 340 wagons, 1000 people and 2500 head of livestock north of the Snake River because of the problems with the Shoshone Indians (Idaho Highway 20/26). Now you have had your history lesson for the day. The first part of the drive was beautiful with magnificent views of the Sawtooth Mountain and travel along parts of the Big Wood Creek.


It was both beautiful and sad at the same time. Abandoned houses and falling down barns. Pieces of Americana falling into ruin. It was clear however that Oregonians are not the only people that keep every vehicle and piece of equipment that they ever owned. It seems that the Idahoan (is that the proper terminology?) have an affinity for collecting relics as well. At a scenic viewpoint where we took the picture above, we found a pile of unidentifiable items. And Jon or Rick we are bringing one home for you to tell us what it is.

The second part of todays travel was endlessly flat and straight and pretty boring. We passed a company that specializes in environmental items and two miles down the road is a nuclear waste dump inauspiciously marked with signs saying Restricted Area - Access By Permit Only and another sign saying "Material and Fuel Entrance". I guess if there is nothing there and no one lives anywhere near you can put in a nuclear waste dump where you want.


We finally got to Crater of the Moon National Monument. We were good tourist and checked out the visitor center and took the seven mile loop drive. I must admit that after the second turn out and walk we decided that if you have seen one volcanic rock display you have seen enough.

Tonight we are stopped in Idaho Falls which has some significance to me since this is the town where my parents were married and my brother was born. We are camped at the Snake River RV Park which is quite pretty for an "in town" RV Park.