Craters of the Moon

Friday morning, 25th August, dawned crisp and clear, with a the Tetons to one side of us and the Snake River to the other.  We drove west on Hwy 26, heading across the smiley plains of Idaho, mountains pressing in from the north and south.  Our next stop was Craters of the Moon.

If you've never been and you're thinking about heading that way, you ought to make a point of stopping at the Visitor's Center for the Craters.  Most rangers and park staff are pretty knowledgeable about their areas, but these folks are passionate.  I'm not sure how long any of their assignments are for, but one gentleman who was holding a group of kids' attention was demonstrating how the craters were formed, I think he was a permanent, not seasonal, employee.

What was really impressive to me is that the same thermal dynamics that brought us this lava landscape eons ago also is what fuels the geysers today, hundreds of miles to the north east.  The fine blackened grit that stretches for miles is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  All sorts of rock formations are accessible off various driveable loops.

I was amazed at the variety of vegetation growing amongst the rocks.  Bright splashes of reds, yellows, and oranges brilliantly were showcased against black mounds.  Altho I didn't see any animal life, I have no doubt that pika, rabbits, and grouse make their homes there.  It was well worth the few hours we spent rambling about.

Then we headed farther west, pushing on into Oregon.  My brain was full of all the sights we'd seen, all the wildflowers, the fields, the plains, the mountains, the red, browns, sand, black, and orange hills.  I thought of all the animals we watched cross roads and valleys and climb mountains, the elk, deer, goats, and tiny quick lil chimunks.  So many birds, from the tiny sparrows to the huge crows.  I was ready for a bit of a rest, to stay in one place for a few days, catch our breath and process the vast variety of the first part of the trip.  In short, I was ready to visit with Daughter Donna for awhile, in Portland, Oregon.