Twin Falls, Idaho

Originally I planned to go to Twin Falls because I wanted to see Shoshone Falls.  I had read that it is considered the Niagara Falls of the west. Then we added in the wonderful treat of meeting up with our friends Lucy and Ray.  We hadn’t seen them since our New Orleans stop back in early April of this year. (They just finished up a trip to Alaska in their motorhome.) And then, after just a bit of research, I found out how much there really is to see in southern Idaho.  We met up with them at Anderson Camp RV Park near Twin Falls and spent two days playing tourist in the area.

Our first stop was to Minidoka Relocation Center which was used during World War II as an internment camp for the Japanese.  That visit weighed very heavy on our hearts as we read the history of Minidoka and the people who lived there.  It was heart wrenching.  If you want to read about it, a very good novel that I read recently is Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.  It is a wonderful, bitter sweet story which really helped me to understand that bit of history.

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Minidoka Relocation Center

There was not much to take pictures there but this building that is still standing was used to store cold items.  The places where the people lived were much worse.

Then it was on to Shoshone Falls!  This little water fall was on the side of the road.  This was a very dry year for Idaho so I would imagine that in a wet year this would really have been roaring. 

 I couldn’t believe it when we got to Shoshone – almost no water.  Like I said – a dry year.  But the views were magnificent and we enjoyed imagining the water.

This is the Snake River at the bottom of the falls

Shoshone Falls with almost no water flowing.

Just up from the falls was a small lake where we found this young man learning to fish.  He was so proud of his catch.

 And the guys didn’t mind sitting in the sun and waiting for us to wander around taking pictures.

 I didn’t want to miss the Perrine Bridge that crosses the Snake River right on the edge of Twin Falls.  What a wonderful view!  We have continued to cross the Snake River over and over.  We have camped on its banks too!  Definitely my favorite river!

The Snake River as viewed from Perrine Bridge

The next day we headed out again to explore.  We visited Malad Gorge State Park and drove all over marveling at the gorge that seemed to be almost hiding in the brush.

Lucy and Kirby at Malad Gorge State Park

We also were able to visit a State Fish Hatchery.  I wish they had given tours or at least had some information available.  There were tanks and tanks of fish with nothing to tell us about them.  I am wondering if these fish are Golden Trout.  If you know, please leave me a comment!

Our last stop was to see one of the Thousand Springs that are in the area.  The water just flows right out of the wall of the canyon.

Some of the Thousand Springs

Yesterday we arrived in Utah.  We are staying at Willard Bay State Park near Ogden.  Today will be a “just sit and goof off” day.

Juniper Campground, Swan Valley, Idaho

We were so pleased when we finally departed Star Valley, WY for Idaho and ended up at this wonderful campground!  Juniper Campground is about 3-4 miles off the highway so it is very quiet.  It is well kept and has very friendly hosts. And - this time of year - with school begun, there are very few people there.  We selected a site in the new pull-through area (Site C-12) and loved the quiet and the manicured grass...especially Jake....he loves grass! (CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT )

 Look at this - no one else in sight.  The sites were all lovely and I couldn't select a favorite.  The ones on the reservoir side of course were the best.

We found a little trail from our site to the bluff overlooking Ririe Reservoir.  Jake loved the whole thing and in the morning he found something that I never did see to chase after.  He loved it there!

This was so cute sitting in our barren campsite.

 This morning we took off to explore the whole campsite and the reservoir.  At the bottom of the camp we found a VERY steep road leading down to the water.  And then we found a trail leading around the perimeter.  Surely it will take us back to where we began - Kirby said.  Wrong.  I risked my life to get down there with him and then had to turn around and go back up.  It was VERY steep!  I was breathing very hard - but I made it!  And it really did feel good to know that this old body can still do that! Mostly we have spent the past 8 years on FLAT land.  Hills are very hard on this old lady.  Sometimes I wonder why I follow Kirby wherever he goes.  I have done that since day one with him.  Must have something to do with loving him.

 I loved this big rock and suggested to Jake that he climb up on it.  He did - and checked out the water too.  Doesn't it just make you think of Indians!!??

 At he very bottom of the reservoir there is a small marina.  I guess if you wanted to have a cooler and such, you would have to carry it all the way down there....it must be for younger folk than us!

Can you see what this picture is about.  They threw a lot of huge boulders down when the created the dam.  A stick got stuck between two of them and that is where is will be forever.

Loved this place and would go back in a flash.
Full hook-ups

Freedom Arms

Yesterday we had the privilege of visiting Freedom Arms which is a Freedom, Wyoming-based firearm manufacturing company, known for producing powerful single-action revolvers.  It is just down the road from where we are staying and we felt so fortunate to be able to visit.

The door was locked for security purposes when we arrived so we rang the buzzer and were admitted by Linda who was very welcoming and also, as it turned out, very knowledgeable about firearms.

First thing that I noticed were all the trophies covering the walls.  I felt like I was in the wilds!

The lobby was a small room with a TV where we watched a video (click here to go to the You Tube video) about the company and the production of their firearms.  Each firearm that they manufacture is done completely by hand and takes seven months to complete.  When they are finished they are not only beautiful but unbelievably accurate!

Then it was “hands on”!  Kirby was in heaven as he checked out the .500 caliber, the .260 Single Shot and the large .454 magnum.  Me?  Well, I held a couple but I prefer my camera! 

If you want to know more about this amazing company you can visit their website by clicking HERE.

Simplot Phosphate Mine and Giant Tonka Toys!

We were fortunate enough today to be included in a wonderful open house at the local Simplot Phosphate Mine.  It was a rainy and cloudy morning when we woke but we decided to take a chance and try to find our way to the mine.  Our GPS didn’t recognize the address so we were sort of on our own for finding our way up the mountain.

I am not sure how we did it, but after 20 – 30 minutes of driving through rain on dirt roads we saw the sign for Simplot.  Yea!  We actually found the place.  We didn’t know what to expect when we got there but there was a big tent and a lot of people.  We found our way to the big tent and it was full of people eating burgers and wandering around.

By this time the rain had gone but the mud was very present.  We “muddled” through it and enjoyed the display of huge, huge heavy equipment that is used in the mining of the phosphate.  This equipment was larger than any I have ever seen before.  One tire was 9 feet, 5,500 pounds and $30,000!

We were disappointed that we didn’t get to see the actual mining but it was a really fun interesting outing!  Thank you, Simplot!!

Star Valley Day Trippin'

We took a drive into the mountains at Bridger National Forest near where we are staying.  We packed a lunch and took the dog and headed out.  The beginning of the outing took us through the beautiful valley that I am coming to love so much!

 Once we got off the paved road and into the NF all the people went away and we even found a couple of campgrounds.  We are thinking of giving one of them a try.  It sure would be quiet at night.  There was no one there at all and nice new picnic tables….

 The route we were on took us to Afton, Wy which is a very nice small western town.

We are loving all these day trips!  Stay tuned for more!