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| Lava scenery |
Our main scheduled stop was at Craters of the Moon National Monument. To get there we drove across about 80 km of arid, treeless plain with nothing much to see but shrubs of sage-brush and tussocks of dry grass. As the name suggests, it had to do with the volcanic activity in the area and the lava flows which resulted. Helen and I were intrigued by the variety of formations. It would be hard to imagine a more rugged and difficult environment. In summer it is blazing hot and in winter freezing cold. Today there was a lazy, chilly wind to contend with.
On our way to today’s destination, Caldwell, we very nearly came to grief. Dora’s instructions while travelling through Shoshone were to make a left turn, followed by a right turn. Just as I started to turn right a vehicle towing a trailer raced through the inside lane. His trailer wheel made contact with the front wheel of the car. I am absolutely amazed that there was no contact anywhere else and the only damage is a mark on the rim. I can only assume some higher being must have been looking after us! That left us a little shaken but OK.
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| Irrigated paddock |
Between Idaho Falls and Caldwell the Snake River valley makes a large loop which we rejoined after our Shoshone experience. The area displays amazingly rich farming resources. The amount of irrigation was mind-boggling. Huge irrigation sprays move in a circular pattern to water crops such as corn, lucerne and potatoes. One minute you’re driving through dry, arid looking sage-brush and the next you’re surrounded by lush irrigated pastures. As the Snake River is fed by snow-melt from Grand Teton and Yellowstone there’s obviously no shortage of water.
The Americans really have to be complimented on their road network. The interstate highways in particular are a driver’s dream. Two lanes of divided highway that just goes on and on with a maximum speed of 75 mph (120 kph). Through Boise, a city of over 200 000 people it became four lanes in each direction. Even the lesser highways are well constructed, have a speed limit of 65 mph (105 kph) and feel very safe to drive on.
