Bright sunshine and blue sky when I was ready to leave. Temperature very pleasant, around 65-68 F.
I left Boise in an easterly direction on Route 20/I-84 which follows at times the Oregon Trail, that route taken
by the original settlers when they came to this part of the country. About 40 miles later the I-84 / Route 20
are going different ways. Following the I84 to Idaho Falls would have been quicker but I stuck with the old
Oregon Trail one, the Route 20.
For the miles this road lets you click decently into the Idaho mountains, up onto the plaines. And then for about
140 miles in an almost straight line across the plaines. Who has seen the movie “North by Northwest” in particular
the scene where Cary Grant is waiting in the midst of nowhere and only a crop duster is moving about has an idea
what this landscape is like. Cattle ranches to the left and right, followed later by wheat fields. And, this makes it
spectacular: at the horizon the mountains of the Boise National Park with there snow covered peaks. Add bright
sunshine, blue sky and the occasional cloud and you have an idea. The first picture gives an impression.
Two little towns, Hill City > population 85 and Carey > population 450 and the occasional farm don’t make one
call this part of Idaho densely populated.
Having passed Carey the landscape changes dramatically. Big, almost black rock formations and fields full of big and small
black coloured rocks appear on both sides of the road. One has reached the “Crater of the Moon National Park and Reserve"
Lava and ash erupted about 1600 - 2300 years ago have created this very unique scenery. The second picture below shows
a little bit.
After another 1 ½ hours drive I reached Idaho Falls, the end of my todays travels.
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