2013-2 Scenic Idaho & Nevada
Hello All,
One of our granddaughters would be celebrating her 21st birthday in Las Vegas with family and friends. So when we got the invite to join them we couldn’t say no. We decided to combine the event with our first big roadtrip of the year.
Our plan was to depart Idaho and meander through Nevada exploring and checking out sites along the way. In Las Vegas we would enjoy the shows and activities with family and explore the surrounding area. On our return trip we planned to hit a couple of the national parks in Utah before returning home.
Departing the Boise area we took I-84 southbound towards Utah. Just south of the little town of Bliss, ID, we decided to checkout Malad Gorge State Park. We’ve passed over the gorge numerous times traveling on I-84 while in a hurry to get from one place to another--always saying to each other “…some day we have to stop and check it out.” We decided to make this the time.
We found the geological and wild-west history of the gorge to be fascinating--from the area’s first inhabitants, to fur trapping parties, to outlaws, to pioneers crossing it while using the Oregon Trail on their trek west. It is without a doubt quite an obstacle.
You can take in Malad Gorge State Park easily as it is right off the interstate highway. It’s a good place to stretch your legs and eat a sandwich. Thirty minutes to an hour would be plenty of time to read about it and see everything. Trust us when we say you don’t want to be climbing on the rocky edges of the gorge--unless you have a death wish!
One of our granddaughters would be celebrating her 21st birthday in Las Vegas with family and friends. So when we got the invite to join them we couldn’t say no. We decided to combine the event with our first big roadtrip of the year.
Our plan was to depart Idaho and meander through Nevada exploring and checking out sites along the way. In Las Vegas we would enjoy the shows and activities with family and explore the surrounding area. On our return trip we planned to hit a couple of the national parks in Utah before returning home.
Departing the Boise area we took I-84 southbound towards Utah. Just south of the little town of Bliss, ID, we decided to checkout Malad Gorge State Park. We’ve passed over the gorge numerous times traveling on I-84 while in a hurry to get from one place to another--always saying to each other “…some day we have to stop and check it out.” We decided to make this the time.
We found the geological and wild-west history of the gorge to be fascinating--from the area’s first inhabitants, to fur trapping parties, to outlaws, to pioneers crossing it while using the Oregon Trail on their trek west. It is without a doubt quite an obstacle.
You can take in Malad Gorge State Park easily as it is right off the interstate highway. It’s a good place to stretch your legs and eat a sandwich. Thirty minutes to an hour would be plenty of time to read about it and see everything. Trust us when we say you don’t want to be climbing on the rocky edges of the gorge--unless you have a death wish!
The gorge is 250 feet deep and
about 2½ miles long. You can see how it would be an impossible challenge for
wagon trains heading west following the Oregon Trail.
Within the park the state has
built a steel footbridge across the gorge. This allows for good photo
opportunities without having to venture onto the treacherous rocky edges.
At Twin Falls, ID, we turned
south off I-84 onto US-93. Since Shoshone Falls on the Snake River is so scenic
we decided to make a brief stop and snap a few photos. Wow, were we ever
disappointed! There was very little water flowing over the falls. The spring
runoff had not started yet. Another few weeks and it would be spectacular--it
wasn’t even worthy of a photo at this time of year.
While in the area we decided to drive a couple of miles east of Twin Falls to Dierkes Lake. We found the high desert lake to be quite beautiful. Here are a couple of photos of the lake.
While in the area we decided to drive a couple of miles east of Twin Falls to Dierkes Lake. We found the high desert lake to be quite beautiful. Here are a couple of photos of the lake.
As we continued south bound on
US-93 we crossed the border into Nevada. The majority of Nevada is within the
Great Basin of the west. The basin is a 200,000 square mile area that drains
internally. All precipitation in the region evaporates, sinks underground or
flows into lakes (mostly saline). Creeks, streams, or rivers find no outlet to
an ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
Nevada is one of the most mountainous states of the contiguous United States and their mountain ranges generally all run in a north to south direction. Here are a few photos of some of these mountain ranges.
Nevada is one of the most mountainous states of the contiguous United States and their mountain ranges generally all run in a north to south direction. Here are a few photos of some of these mountain ranges.
Note the ranch house and out
buildings at the base of the mountains in the following photo. You better like
isolation if you want to live in this part of the state.
This next shot is looking
south on US-93 with the Ruby Mountains in the distance.
Our target destination for the
day was Ely, NV. There are not a lot of lodging options in this part of the
state. Unfortunately, the sun decided to set about an hour before our arrival.
It worked out well though as we were treated to a lovely sunset.
After our night in Ely we
continued south on US-93 heading towards Las Vegas. Our travels took us through
an area known as White River Narrows. We were so fascinated with the rock
formations of the area we parked the car and walked around for a half hour
taking photos.
People often ask us, “Where is
your most favorite place to travel to.” We find that very difficult to answer.
There is beauty and uniqueness in all places. You just have to slow down and
take the time to find and enjoy them.
At the south end of the narrows we came across
an area that was loaded with tumbleweeds. Most people associate the tumbleweed
with the deserts of the west. And, it is true there are a lot of tumbleweeds in
the west. However, in fact the tumbleweed is actually Russian thistle and it is
the most invasive plant to ever be introduced into the United States. It isn’t
native to North America at all. It was brought into this country
(unintentionally) by Ukrainian farmers.
Tumbleweeds are round, green, bushy
plant that grows to about 3 feet. As they mature and dry they break off at the
stem base. Each plant produces around 250,000 seeds. When the wind blows it
scatters seeds as it tumbles across the countryside.
Here Miss Barb is standing amongst tumbleweeds that have blown up against the rocks.
Here Miss Barb is standing amongst tumbleweeds that have blown up against the rocks.
Here she is using them as pompoms.
Dave in not quite as animated!
We will continue with our
adventures in and around Las Vegas in our next write-up. Hope you join us for
the ride.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns