USA NORTHWEST 2014
~PART 4: IDAHO~

Photos © R.Leeuw

 

We crossed the mountains, from Jackson,WY via Route 31, to Idaho. It was less of a mountain pass than I had expected
but there was a bonus in coming across this deserted cabin. It was on a gravel road, visible from US 31.

My GPS tracked it to a crossing of Campbell Road and Traughber Road, off US 31 / Pinecreek Road, not far
from its junction with Highway 26, 'Swan Valley Highway'.

From Jackson Hole to Idaho Falls was a relative short drive. We had no plans for our stay here, but the next day was
again going to be a long drive and there were no options to balance the two stretches. I could have included the Legacy
Flight Museum in nearby Rexburg,ID but did not know about it. So we indulged in some shopping at the Grand Teton Mall.

 

 

CRATERS OF THE MOON

In 1986 we passed through this area, but it was too late in the day to make any photos: the lava is so dark and
black that one needs some really good light to allow for photography here. No complaints on this day.

If one looks carefully there is indeed some colour to be found.

MORE PHOTOS SEE MY PAGE 'CRATERS OF THE MOON'

 

Driving north, a deliberate detour on our way to Boise, US75 brought us to Ketchem where we stopped for lunch.

 

We continued north and enjoyed the best of weather. We crossed the Galena Pass and noticed there was
still some snow beside the road. Sawtooth National Park allowed for a very scenic drive and I
remembered that the Clint Eastwood movie 'Pale Rider' was filmed in these parts.

I inhale great draughts of space.
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.

I am larger, better than I thought,
I did not know I held so much goodness ( - lines by Walt Whitman)

 

 

We came across the history of The Mountain Men again, the trappers hunting for furs and pelts.
Many of the Mountain Men later guided settlers over the mountains, finding new places to live.

Salmon River

 

 

IDAHO CITY

Idaho City was another place we had visited in 1986, in our search for ghost towns then. It had been inhabited and
upon this visit I found it had actually grown. But my mind may have been playing tricks. I did not see the saloon we
visited then: a veritable western saloon, but with large television screens.

It was late in the afternoon we arrived here; the drive south on Route 21, the Pondarosa Pine Scenic Route with
the many switchbacks, took more time than expected (beautiful though!). The low sun made it hard to take decent photos.

Idaho City still radiates the old spirit of a frontier town.

Compare this 1986 image. Alterations have been made,
though hard to believe it is the same building.

Idaho City, pop. 458

 

Levels are low in the reservoir, parhaps as a result of a dry season.

 

Just before we drove into Boise,ID for the night, I noticed a sign advertising a visit to the Warhawk Air
Museum in nearby Nampa. While we had another long day ahead of us, we started the day with a visit here.
See my report WARHAWK AIR MUSEUM

 

From Boise,ID to Baker City,OR it is only a short drive, but we made another deliberate detour: north on US 55 to McCall.

The history of logging. Splash Dams were built to store logs.

North on US 55, in Cascade,ID

We had arrived in McCall,ID. After having checked out the airport for 'propliners' (1 HU-16), we went
for lunch here. Note the tail sticking out of the roof. Perhaps it is a place for pilots to 'crash' here, at the bar.

On the other side of the airport, where I found a DC-3 among the trees, I also noticed this fine building.

It does give the impression of being closed, this Café / Restaurant. But we had just filled our bellies with
a fine lunch in McCall so no worries. Here in New Meadows we changed US 55 for Highway 95, going south.

Council, ID on Hwy 95 (S)

Brilliant autumn colours. We had lost the sun though, clouds were moving in.

Another prairiescraper, in Midvale,ID

Allons! the road is before us!
It is safe - I have tried it - my own feet have tried it well - be not detained!
(-Walt Whitman)

USA NORTHWEST 2014
THE START: OREGON & WASHINGTON
PORTLAND, OR
WHALEWATCHING FROM ANACORTES
PAGE TWO: IDAHO & MONTANA
NATIONAL BISON RANGE
PAGE THREE: WYOMING
YELLOWSTONE NAT'L PARK
JACKSON,WY
PAGE FOUR: IDAHO
CRATERS OF THE MOON
THE END: OREGON

§
INDEX TO MY TRAVEL PAGES

Reactions / comments welcomed.