Around Idaho
July 23 - 31, 2005
Okay, it's not a 4 month around-the-world adventure, but it's what we have these days. We took a 9 day summer vacation in Idaho. Although backpacking was the main event, we did have several days to enjoy a few of Idaho's other treasures.
Our first stop was the Snake River region so we could spend some time birding in and around the Birds of Prey Conservation Area. The birding was unbelievably good. The next day after a quick stop in Boise we rolled up into the Sawtooth Mountains and camped at Petit Lake. From there we caught a shuttle van to Redfish Lake where we started our backpacking trip into the Sawtooth Wilderness Area (read about it here: Backpacking the Sawtooths, Idaho).
At the conclusion of our backpacking trip we spent a wonderfully restful night at Redfish Lake Lodge. The following day we explored the Stanely Basin and Galena Summit and then discovered that darn near every campsite in a 50 mile radius was full. So we drove as far as Grandjean, down the bumpy dirt roads, and camped there beside the Payette River in a little slice of paradise. After a dip in the hot springs the next morning, we hit the road and drove north to Lewiston where we spent the final night of our trip. On the last day, we fortified ourselves at Waffles 'n' More and headed home to Seattle.
The Snake River canyon at the Birds of Prey Conservation Area.
Eric makes lunch at a Forest Service campground on the South Fork Payette River en route to Stanley Basin.
One of the most ferocious predators known to man gorges itself on wilted lettuce at Petit Lake Campground.
The bar at Redfish Lake Lodge. I think I will have a drink. Thanks.
Jill mugs for the camera on top of Galena Summit, with a view of the Sawtooth Mountains and the Stanley Basin.
Our campsite at Grandjean. Eric relaxes with some wine after a hard day of doing nothing.
Jill and Eric take a picture to document a moment of pure happiness.
An example of Idaho's progressive recreational policies.
The hot springs at Grandjean on the South Fork Payette River.
Eric tries to boil himself to death in the hot springs. The cold stream in the background was a welcome relief after a few minutes in the spring. A sign at the springs said the water can reach temperatures of 180 degrees!
Our favorite restaraunt in Lewiston. It's very hard to resist their injunction. I think I will have a waffle. Thanks.
Jill's waffle.
The Palouse country near Pomeroy, Washington (sure it's not in Idaho, but it's so close).
Wheat fields in eastern Washington.
[ Print This Page ] [ Email This Page ]