First stop: Snake River Canyon
The Visitor Center is behind the Outback! That's something I never thought I would hear but this wonderful attraction is kinda in the middle of a huge shopping center. We watched a guy BASE jump from the bridge while practically standing in an Old Navy parking lot. If Twin Falls, Idaho ever got a NHL team I would live there.
Ryan Note: As Jess mentioned, this is right near a major shopping area. I told her about the bridge and since you can't even see the canyon below until you get right near it, she didn't know what to think as Google Maps told us we were almost there. The canyon goes down about 500 feet and has nice walking trails all around it, including areas under and across the bridge. It was formed when Lake Bonneville expanded past it's natural boundary and caused water to rapidly flow down an existing (albeit much smaller) canyon. It was flowing so fast (70 mph) and with so much water that it carved out the soft rock to what we see today.
This place is also famous for being near the location that Evel Knievel attempted to jump the canyon in a rocket motorcycle...unfortunately, it didn't go as planned as he only made it out partway before falling (slowly, thanks to the parachute) to the bottom near the river. This was the inspiration for the climatic scene in The Simpsons episode "Bart the Daredevil" which is mostly why I cared about it. The dirt ramp Evel Knievel used is still there and visible from the bridge.
Finally, as we got there there were a couple guys packing up parachutes. I thought we missed the BASE jumpers but thankfully one more went as we were standing there. The last two pictures below show them on the bridge and in the last picture you can see the blue parachute against the water. Apparently this is the only man-made structure in the US where you can BASE jump without a permit so it happens quite frequently. I'd like to say that I would try it but considering I only could walk about 50 feet out on the bridge (on the safe pedestrian walkway) before the shaking got to me and I high-tailed it out of there, I doubt I'd ever try that.
Ryan Note: As Jess mentioned, this is right near a major shopping area. I told her about the bridge and since you can't even see the canyon below until you get right near it, she didn't know what to think as Google Maps told us we were almost there. The canyon goes down about 500 feet and has nice walking trails all around it, including areas under and across the bridge. It was formed when Lake Bonneville expanded past it's natural boundary and caused water to rapidly flow down an existing (albeit much smaller) canyon. It was flowing so fast (70 mph) and with so much water that it carved out the soft rock to what we see today.
This place is also famous for being near the location that Evel Knievel attempted to jump the canyon in a rocket motorcycle...unfortunately, it didn't go as planned as he only made it out partway before falling (slowly, thanks to the parachute) to the bottom near the river. This was the inspiration for the climatic scene in The Simpsons episode "Bart the Daredevil" which is mostly why I cared about it. The dirt ramp Evel Knievel used is still there and visible from the bridge.
Finally, as we got there there were a couple guys packing up parachutes. I thought we missed the BASE jumpers but thankfully one more went as we were standing there. The last two pictures below show them on the bridge and in the last picture you can see the blue parachute against the water. Apparently this is the only man-made structure in the US where you can BASE jump without a permit so it happens quite frequently. I'd like to say that I would try it but considering I only could walk about 50 feet out on the bridge (on the safe pedestrian walkway) before the shaking got to me and I high-tailed it out of there, I doubt I'd ever try that.
Second stop: Shoshone Falls
Only a short drive later, we got to Shoshone Falls State Park and after quite a terrifying drive down a winding road we got to a picturesque waterfall with a mist rainbow and everything.
Third stop: Craters of the Moon National Monument
It was a 2 hour drive to get another stamp in my National Parks and Monuments Passport! This was once again all Ryan's idea and once again it didn't disappoint. First, there was a small hike off the scenic overlook which was full of dull black lava rocks with shiny blue streaks, awesome flowering bushes and twisty trees. The second time we stopped we climbed a mountain...well, a 160 ft cinder trail up the side of what felt like a mountain and at 6000ft elevation it wasn't all that easy. The 360 degree views at the top were well worth it!
Ryan Note: I've wanted to come to Craters of the Moon for a long time. I don't know why - I think when looking for something to do in Idaho, it came up as the top attraction. Frankly, I had read some unflattering reviews of it so I was preparing to be underwhelmed. Whoever doesn't like this place doesn't know what they're talking about. We were lucky to get a cool day (about 70 degrees) - usually it's hotter this time of year and with all of the black rock around, it makes the surface temperature very hot (and unpleasant to walk on).
Some of the lava flows that created the cones and features were only a couple thousand years ago. I guess while the volcanic activity is currently dormant, it's not extinct and odds are it will erupt again within 1,000 years. There are many different lava features here so it was very interesting to see.
The highlight was the Inferno Cone, which contains a pure cinder trail up to the top. It's pretty steep - 160 ft that's between a 8 and 28 degree grade and the pictures below show views going up and down. The panoramic view at the top was incredible and worth the hike (though I will say that going back down is tougher because the rocks are so loose and it's so steep). This is such a unique place in the continental US and it was definitely worth the stop. I should have known better - the National Park Service rarely disappoints.
Fourth stop: Ketchum Cemetery
We checked into the cute little Wood River Inn and headed out looking for dinner but drove a little further to check out the place were Ernest Hemingway is buried. It's in a little cemetery with a view of the mountains and the grave is under a tree. We left a couple coins and paid our respects before heading out.
Ryan Note: Yep, Ernest Hemingway is buried here. He moved to Sun Valley late in his life because he was paranoid that the government was watching him and trying to spy on him. He was partially right, as it turned out, but the alcohol and other illnesses didn't help the situation. He killed himself in 1961 in Ketchum which is why, despite his famous connections to other places in the world, his wife buried him here.
