Went across Eastern Oregon yesterday and it was like the Loneliest Road Part 2. For miles there was nothing but sage brush! Then we came into some beautiful green mountains and then eventually into Idaho. Stayed in a town just southwest of Boise called Nampa. In potato country but saw more of other vegetables and cows than we did potatoes.
Today we started the day by going to a Birds of Prey Conservatory. Saw rare birds that they were working to bring off the endangered species list. In particular they are working to bring back the California Condors of which there were only 22 at one point in time. They have them breed here and raise the young who are then assigned to a “mentor” Condor and then released into the wild in the Grand Canyon area. Other endangered birds are from all over the world. The place was funded by the Peregrine Falcon Fund and has an impressive international existence to save endangered birds. As a result of our stop here we were late leaving Boise. We had planned to go to Craters of the Moon National Monument but time just didn’t allow that. Instead we went to Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, ID.
Shoshone Falls is called the Niagara Falls of the West. We didn’t think it rivaled Niagara but there were pictures of more water coming over the rocks than we saw today so maybe at times, that is so. Fun fact, this is where Evel Knieval attempted to jump the canyon. For those of you too young to remember this (or those of you too old to remember) you will just have to google it.
We are in Pocatello, ID for the night, just south of Idaho, Falls. It has been VERY windy here today. Wind gusts up to 50 MPH and several dust storms stirred up as a result. Not sure how any of these fields have top soil.
Tomorrow we are headed for Cody, WY via Yellowstone National Park. Tomorrow is also Patrick’s 40th birthday. Not sure how that can possibly be since we are only 55 but somehow, that is indeed the case.
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