The Falls and Craters of the Moon National Park

Tuesday, 8/17, started out with some work then down the street for lunch at Snow Eagle Brewing & Grill then took in some of the sights in Idaho Falls.  I've never even thought of WHY the city is named what it is...there are actually falls here!  They are man-made falls for hydroelectricity, but they added rocks and landscaping, walking paths and picnic tables and have made it a wonderful attraction.  After walking and checking out a couple of the shops, we headed to Craters of the Moon National Park...something else I didn't even know existed!  We couldn't see the views because of the smoke, but it was still very cool.  Kenneth got his lifetime national parks pass.  It will pay for itself this trip and hopefully we'll get to see many more national parks with it.  Today, Wednesday, listening to the rain on the camper, working, doing laundry, early dinner at The Snake Bite Restaurant, Walmart run and peach cobbler at the camper made from some fresh peaches I got at a roadside produce stand.  Tomorrow....Yellowstone!

They had a nice light beer that went well with our meal of appetizers

Idaho Falls!

Giant Eagle Waterfall Nest near the falls.  All of this was within two miles of our campground.

Headed out to Craters of the Moon.  I have never see so much hay in my life!!  It's everywhere we've driven here.  I don't know if these guys are selling it or if it's all for their own livestock in the winter, but there is a LOT of hay!  Covered stacks and uncovered stacks, barns and quonset huts full, bales and bales out in the field to be picked up, tractors still cutting and fields to be cut...it's crazy!

But even with all the hay, there are still plenty of fields of potatoes!

The wind was ridiculous!  

This is a 750,000 acre lava field caused by fissure eruptions with the latest being 2000 years ago. 

So barren and the smoke was really thick here.  Thank goodness it rained Wednesday; that seemed to clear up the air somewhat.

For all the barren land, look at the wild flowers! Several of these large fields we pass were covered.  I think these white flowers are Syringa.

More hay!

Dinner spot Wednesday.  We generally try a couple of restaurants where we land but most meals are in the camper.  We've had some really good food on this trip, for sure!