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10/01/2021 Happy October! We’ve left Jackson by way of Teton Pass and we are now campers inside Craters of the Moon National Park in Idaho.
10/01/2021 Happy October! We’ve left Jackson by way of Teton Pass and we are now campers inside Craters of the Moon National Park in Idaho.
Just a short walk from our campsite is the park’s amphitheater. Grace has decided to utilize this as an opportunity to give park goers an education on the benefits of having a dog like ours….and by “park goers”, I mean _me_.
Just a short walk from our campsite is the park’s amphitheater. Grace has decided to utilize this as an opportunity to give park goers an education on the benefits of having a dog like ours….and by “park goers”, I mean _me_.
The real prize is behind the amphitheater where we have discovered this beautiful Orb Spider. I wouldn’t want to wake up with this big guy on my pillow, but out in the wild it’s a super cool find.
The real prize is behind the amphitheater where we have discovered this beautiful Orb Spider. I wouldn’t want to wake up with this big guy on my pillow, but out in the wild it’s a super cool find.
10/2/2021 This is to be our only full day at Craters of the Moon, so we’ve gotta make the most of it. Trust me when I tell you that this place has the look and feel of a completely different planet.
10/2/2021 This is to be our only full day at Craters of the Moon, so we’ve gotta make the most of it. Trust me when I tell you that this place has the look and feel of a completely different planet.
Genuinely remarkable how different the landscape is here.
Genuinely remarkable how different the landscape is here.
About 2,000 years ago, black lava bubbled up from below and spattered out of cinder cones for almost as far as you can see.
About 2,000 years ago, black lava bubbled up from below and spattered out of cinder cones for almost as far as you can see.
Puuuuuuush Val, PUUUUUUUSH through the pain and up those hills.
Puuuuuuush Val, PUUUUUUUSH through the pain and up those hills.
Let’s play a game: “Is it a rock or is it brown cheese?
Let’s play a game: “Is it a rock or is it brown cheese?
I’ve climbed up the rocks to take this picture and I’m getting a big ole’ thumbs down for going “off trail”.
I’ve climbed up the rocks to take this picture and I’m getting a big ole’ thumbs down for going “off trail”.
Never in a million years would I have thought that lava rock could be so colorful and so beautiful. Look at that beautiful blue coloring!
Never in a million years would I have thought that lava rock could be so colorful and so beautiful. Look at that beautiful blue coloring!
Look at the iridescent shimmer of this one!
Look at the iridescent shimmer of this one!
We’ve been told that if there aren’t any signs specifically saying “Stay on Trail”, then you are allowed to go where ever you want. Just “be safe”.
We’ve been told that if there aren’t any signs specifically saying “Stay on Trail”, then you are allowed to go where ever you want. Just “be safe”.
The end of this hike brings us to the “Tree Molds” where living trees were enveloped by the flowing lava. The story goes that the trees contained enough moisture to create steam around the trunk and rapidly cool the lava. The end result is an extremely detailed impression of the tree in the lava rocks. Downright crazy looking!
The end of this hike brings us to the “Tree Molds” where living trees were enveloped by the flowing lava. The story goes that the trees contained enough moisture to create steam around the trunk and rapidly cool the lava. The end result is an extremely detailed impression of the tree in the lava rocks. Downright crazy looking!
That is _not_ wood! That _is_ lava rock!
That is _not_ wood! That _is_ lava rock!
We’re now off to the caves portion of the park and Grace has managed to photo bomb her way into another picture.
We’re now off to the caves portion of the park and Grace has managed to photo bomb her way into another picture.
The “Caves” here are underground lava tubes. Looking out across the landscape, I find myself wondering how many there actually are versus how many they know about.
The “Caves” here are underground lava tubes. Looking out across the landscape, I find myself wondering how many there actually are versus how many they know about.
Ha! She’s gives me a big ole’ thumbs down for not following the guidance of a sign that says “Stay on Trail” and she gets to do this?! PFFFFFT! Not fair!!!!
Ha! She’s gives me a big ole’ thumbs down for not following the guidance of a sign that says “Stay on Trail” and she gets to do this?! PFFFFFT! Not fair!!!!
Based on what we have learned elsewhere in the park, this seems to be one of the “signature” features of this park; “Indian Cave”. In we go!
Based on what we have learned elsewhere in the park, this seems to be one of the “signature” features of this park; “Indian Cave”. In we go!
And it….is….BIG!
And it….is….BIG!
Again, with the colorful lava rock. Just remarkable.
Again, with the colorful lava rock. Just remarkable.
Yes, this is a rock! ...no, seriously, it's a rock!
Yes, this is a rock! ...no, seriously, it's a rock!
If you actually manage to make your way down the entire length of this huge lava tube, this is your only way out.
If you actually manage to make your way down the entire length of this huge lava tube, this is your only way out.
We even got Grant all the way through the tube and out the small opening at the end.
We even got Grant all the way through the tube and out the small opening at the end.
We’ve ventured into another small cave and it’s a pretty cool sight looking back at the family.
We’ve ventured into another small cave and it’s a pretty cool sight looking back at the family.
Today’s funny “story”: This place is so “other worldly” that it apparently attracts strange and unusual creatures who like to…..well…..role play…..in the Star Wars universe. There were 8 or 9 in this group and Grant LOVED them! This guy was the only one that offered up a picture, so we jumped on that opportunity.
Today’s funny “story”: This place is so “other worldly” that it apparently attracts strange and unusual creatures who like to…..well…..role play…..in the Star Wars universe. There were 8 or 9 in this group and Grant LOVED them! This guy was the only one that offered up a picture, so we jumped on that opportunity.
10/4/2021 Southern Idaho has more to offer than one might think. Today we are exploring City of Rocks National Monument.
10/4/2021 Southern Idaho has more to offer than one might think. Today we are exploring City of Rocks National Monument.
Dog allowed? Why yes, dogs are allowed!
Dog allowed? Why yes, dogs are allowed!
This place has an interesting history. Millions of years ago, granite was shoved up by moving tectonic plates and then time and erosion exposed the granite. In more recent history it became a navigational waypoint and popular stop for the pioneers heading west on the California trial.
This place has an interesting history. Millions of years ago, granite was shoved up by moving tectonic plates and then time and erosion exposed the granite. In more recent history it became a navigational waypoint and popular stop for the pioneers heading west on the California trial.
Bath time?
Bath time?
Remember the early pioneers I mentioned? They “signed” this rock that has now been named “Register Rock”. Supposedly most of the signatures are done with axle grease. I can’t believe that axle grease from the 1800s can persevere through to this age.
Remember the early pioneers I mentioned? They “signed” this rock that has now been named “Register Rock”. Supposedly most of the signatures are done with axle grease. I can’t believe that axle grease from the 1800s can persevere through to this age.
We thought Bear might enjoy a nice view.
We thought Bear might enjoy a nice view.
I promise we got him up there!
I promise we got him up there!
Hey Dylan, thanks for assisting your sister!
Hey Dylan, thanks for assisting your sister!
Erosion on a geologic timeline can do some weird things. This rock was hollow.
Erosion on a geologic timeline can do some weird things. This rock was hollow.
Still some great fall colors here too.
Still some great fall colors here too.
10/5/2021 Nothing quite like an early morning walk to see a great sunrise.
10/5/2021 Nothing quite like an early morning walk to see a great sunrise.
Come on Bear! ……turn around! …….you’re missing it. Pfffft, nevermind. You’re beautiful just the way you are!
Come on Bear! ……turn around! …….you’re missing it. Pfffft, nevermind. You’re beautiful just the way you are!
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