While we were at Craters of the Moon, we took the opportunity to take a quick trip to Sun Valley. Cindy and I had also visited here on our epic trip from Alaska to Texas in 1981. The night before, we had been traveling a long, lonely Idaho highway way past dark and it was overrun with jackrabbits. How we managed to miss them, I’ll never know.
I was in my usual “lemming” mode – i.e., drive ’til you reach your destination or fall off a cliff, whichever comes first” – and Cindy desperately wanted to sleep. So we pulled over, set our ice chest on the side of the road and slept in the car. We had a tent but this was not the place to pitch it.
We rolled into Sun Valley feeling pretty gnarly and we’d stopped at a laundromat. A guy who was there offered his apartment to us so we could take a shower. I know, creepy, right? Still, we were desperate, and he wasn’t planning on returning home while we were there, so we took him up on his offer. Since there were two of us and only one of him, we figured we could take him if he showed up. He never did, and we returned his key, freshly showered.
All in all, I’ve had some lovely experiences on lonely Idaho roads. 🙂
Leaving Craters of the Moon, we had a rather uneventful trip to Twin Falls. Since we’ve been there a couple of times already, we stayed a bit out of town at the Fairgrounds in Filer. We had some shopping and a few chores to do, so that all worked out well.
At the Fairgrounds, just the two of us and a little guest.
Our only issue was a mouse. On the four occasions we’ve had a mouse on board, three of them have happened in Idaho! What’s up with that? (The fourth was in Canada at a campsite in the primordial forest.) It didn’t take long to discard of the intruder and after three days, we were on our merry way to the Elks Lodge in Caldwell for a two-night stay.
By the Elks Lodge in Caldwell.
In Boise, we met up with friends Dustin and Laci, who have a sweet year-long house-sitting gig. We originally met them in 2016 at Sage Creek Campground in Badlands National Park in South Dakota. That was a fabulous campground where each morning we found ourselves literally surrounded by a herd of bison! All I had to do to get a photo of them was raise up onto my elbow and raise the screen on the window by my bed. It was incredible!
Dustin and Laci were tent camping back then and stayed a few days. We had just returned from Alaska and had a freezer full of fish, so we whipped up some halibut to share. Each day, the campground would empty out but just after dark it was full again. We ended up having a bunch of college kids next to us, and that’s where I got the idea that if we needed to run our generator and disturb the peace, the least we could do is offer to charge our neighbors’ cell phones and computers! It’s funny how they didn’t seem to mind the noise and we sure felt a lot better about having to run the beast to keep our fridge going!
In Boise with Dustin and Laci.
We enjoyed a fun dinner out with lots of conversation, it was great to see Dustin and Laci again!
We had a gorgeous travel day to our next destination, Joseph, OR. Oh, how happy we were to be back in Oregon! This was a return trip for us and we had fond memories of our last stay at the cute little Five Peaks RV Park just off the main drag in downtown Joseph. When we were here in 2015 we ‘rode the rails” on a funky looking bike made to travel on decommissioned railroad tracks.
Our adorable little campground in Joseph.
We wanted to repeat that experience, as well as a few others. Unfortunately, we had arrived about a month earlier than last time. Most things were still closed for the season including many of the wonderfully scenic roads leading into the foothills of the beautiful Willowa mountains. Well, never mind. Here we were right in town, just a stroll away from the wonderful Arrowhead Chocolates store. Mexican Hot Chocolate. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. What’s not to love? We had a very relaxing stay in Joseph. But, just to make sure you don’t miss out on seeing Steven’s take on this beautiful area, here’s a photography post he did following our previous stay.
Hot treats at Arrowhead Chocolates!
Deer friends are a common sight around town.
We always enjoy the beautiful sculptures in Joseph.
Chief Joseph.
Willowa Lake, just minutes from our campground.
Who doesn’t like a big red barn?
We had some laughs in one of the gift stores. Very wise words to live by, lol!
More entertaining signs. Who knew there was such a thing as slow chickens?
After a week-long stay we headed to Ainsworth State Park just a couple of miles from the beautiful Multnomah Falls, one of the most photographed sites in Oregon, and therefore nearly always crowded.
What we hadn’t realized is just how close last year’s massive fire in the Columbia Gorge area had come to the state park and that the backroads in the area were still closed. Crews were still working on clearing burned out trees off the roads and trails. The Eagle Creek fire, as it is named, was caused by a teen setting off fireworks. He was recently fined $36 million dollars. That’ll learn him, right?
Despite much of the area being closed, we enjoyed smoking and relaxing at Ainsworth State Park.
Multnomah Falls.
In order to access our campground we had to show our reservation slip to a guard and he then would remove the barrier and let us in. While we were there we did manage a visit to the falls at the end of the day when there were relatively few people. Other than that, we mostly stayed at our site, sitting out enjoying some wine and smoking a brisket. I had to get that in the fridge because we were off to Portland to visit our vegan friends. LOL, just kidding. We eat really well when we’re with the vegans!
Update on my Undies Painted Rock: My friend Jodee informed me that any painted rocks found in a national park will be disposed of, as it is considered to be vandalism. Who knew? I am utterly heartbroken. You have no idea the angst I went through just to make the decision to re-hide it, and now this. Deb of trekkingwiththebs was actually in Crater of the Moons NP yesterday and she went to our actual site to see if she could find the cute rock. No joy. RIP little Undies Rock, wherever you are. Sorry I cut your journey short. 🙁
NEXT UP: Scoopy Love & Portland Friends
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Great pictures of Joseph . I was just there a week ago for the first time . I even went up in the tram . I did check out the RV park you were camped in , the guy was very nice . I was camped over in the Hell's Canyon area . Your pictures are sure better than mine . If you don't mind I would like to forward them to my daughter in Iowa to show her Joseph. If you ever have the time Hell's Canyon is a very interesting place with a lot of camping available . Check out Idaho Powers web site as they manage the camp grounds . Safe travels . Vern in Boise Id.
So looking forward to visiting Joseph later this year. I hope your undies show up one day! We left one in Winslow AZ and either someone kept it or it’s still there, all alone.
We love Joseph, and always stay at Five Peaks, too. And we always get Mexican hot chocolate at Arrowhead Chocolates. So fun to read your stories and see your beautiful photos—you sound in good spirits, despite having lost your little undies rock. 🙁 He's so cute, I'm thinking someone found him and is keeping him in hiding.
Love the photo of Multnomah Falls! Funny story about that guy offering up his shower. Great idea offering to charge the cell phones and computers!
We didn't make it to Joseph last year, but it looks like we'll have to remedy that. Love your photos!
We didn't go up the tram last time, and this time it was closed! We just got there too early in the season. It is such a beautiful area, like Switzerland. By all means, share the photos with your daughter. Of all the photography posts Steven has done, this one remains my favorite! Good to hear from you!
I could never paint rocks, because I would never be able to let them go! I think I have a Rock Attachment Disorder (RAD). 🙂
Isn't that waterfall stunning? I thought trading electricity for noise was a good bargain, and our neighbors seem to agree!
I think that Mexican hot chocolate is the best I've ever had. Ever. As the barista made our drinks, she brought over spoons of thick, gooey chocolate for us to lick. Divine! I sure hope that little Undies rock is sitting on someone's porch, or in a flowerbed somewhere. It haunts me. So sorry we missed you guys in MT!
Next time you are in Oregon, Joseph should be at the top of your list!
I know, we're super bummed that we missed you by a day!! My stupid phone had to have a sleep-over at Verizon in Bozeman and held us up. 🙁 But I think we're going to be in Portland for a week in mid-October, so we will see you there, for sure! Yay!!
Damn I hate being the buzz-kill…..but you know, tough love! I'm sure someone carried him off on another adventure and just didn't know how to post. I know I wouldn't (except that now I'd ask you). It's fun that you're parked in the same spot we were at Five Peaks w hich we also love, love! The art and signs are great. We will definitely go back to Joseph so we can enjoy it without the smoke.
Oh, goody!!! I'm sure you already have a place there where you like to stay, but if not, we can host you at the Sherwood Elks Lodge if you'd like ($16/per night). Either way, we look forward to crossing paths!
Wow, seriously?? That's an awesome offer! We're really excited about finally meeting up with you two. We'll stay in touch. No matter what, we're going to spend some fun time with you! Until then, enjoy your travels. 🙂
I was mad at you for about an nano-second, but then I moved on. 🙂 Seriously, I intended to post a photo of my rock on FB, but just never got around to it. If I had, I'm sure you would have spoken up then and I could have avoided this catastrophe. Lesson learned? Post more crap on FB. 🙂
I wish we had found that Mexican hot chocolate while staying at Wallowa State Park a couple of weeks ago. Glad the mouse issue is remedied.
I am STILL dreaming of that Mexican hot chocolate!