June 2023
My sister’s mother-in-law told me that Idaho reminded her of California forty years ago. I definitely see the comparison as it felt very California like driving from Jackson, WY to Craters of the Moon and then Ketchum. Perhaps this somewhat sameness is why Sun Valley and Ketchum did not speak to me the same was it did for others (the dreary weather may have played a part) and instead Twin Falls was where I found my interest. Not the town itself which was fairly nondescript, but Shoshone Falls and the Snake River Canyon which were beautiful. The canyon is also where Evel Knievel made his failed jump attempt on a steam powered rocket across Snake River Canyon. As a side, at age six I took my first major spill on a bicycle going down a hill my mom told me not to ride days before. On the 20 mile drive to the emergency room at Oak Knoll Hospital where my dad worked and we had medical insurance, my sister and I moved around towels and washcloths to my knees, elbows and all the other spots that were bleeding. I still remember the mat over my face and the giant needle to administer novocaine I could see through the eye holes. The rest of my summer was spent with blue stitches in my chin, a lot of road rash (still have some of the scars), me lying on my back on a cot for weeks, and then my sitting it out watching my friends swim. My nickname with the hospital staff from then on through my teens became Evel Knievel.
CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT. This is a volcanic landscape with lava fields, tubes and craters formed by volcanic eruptions. They have camping here as well but no shade so I made a 2-3 hour stop to drive the scenic drive, get in a hike and then head to my next destination. Not worth going out of your way if you are not into volcanic rock but cool to see.
SUN VALLEY / KETCHUM. This area in the Sawtooth mountains and a destination for many of my California friends. Prepare to spend a lot of money here unless you can land a camp spot. I found one at Wood River campground, about 10 miles north which was quiet, clean, and had a great camp host. I stayed in site 21 which was close to the vault toilets but far enough away for some privacy. The weather was not cooperating for a bike ride so I hung out drinking coffee and enjoying some avo toast at Maude’s Coffee and Clothes where I could be outside but protected from the rain.
TWIN FALLS. I love gorges and canyons and this one is a must see. I started at Shoshone Falls Park and took a hike to the Evel Knievel jump site the depth of which just can’t be captured on film. See narrative above of why this was so fun for me. Shoshone Falls were flowing (they call it the Niagara of the West and it is taller than Niagara Falls) and people were kayaking in the Snake River below. Next stop was to Centennial Park where I had hoped to get in a kayak ride on the Snake River and under the Perrine Bridge, one of the highest bridges in the U.S., but I arrived too late and all floatables were taken.
