Day 12 (27 August 2015)

One of the many strange scenes inside the Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho.

More eerie basalt features  inside the Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho.

Moving along inside the Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho.

Basalt pile from 2,500 year ago volcanic eruption inside the Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho.

Old dormant volcanoes south of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

View from our picnic lunch site in St Anthony, Idaho.

 

 Blue Star Spring in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Sulphur colour spill located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

 The Castle Geyser eruption located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

One of the many volcanic springs located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

 The Grand Geyser bubbling away located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Waiting for the 7:15 pm Old Faithful Geyser eruption located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

A zoomed picture of Beehive Geyser (rarely erupts) in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Zoomed picture of the base of Old Faithful Geyser just before eruption located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Old Faithful in eruption phase located in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Run off from the main springs located in the Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

The Grand Prismatic Spring located in the Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Then Turquoise Spring located in the Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

The internet is very slow in the Moose Inn, West Yellowstone...so this will be a short burst. Our journey today was from Twin Falls, Idaho to the Craters of the Moon, Idaho. An eerie scene of recent volcanic activity similar to the Hawaiian Island volcano lava flows. From this National Park we continued to Idaho Falls and stopped at Rexburg for a Walmart replenishment. Not far north is St Anthony and is a good spot to have lunch next to the Snake River. It took 90 minutes from here to reach our destination at West Yellowstone. The entrance to the National Park is only one mile away and after we settled in to our Moose Inn accommodation we headed straight for Old Faithful geyser. Before the scheduled 7:15 pm eruption we explore the many smaller geysers in the Midway Geyser Basin. Old Faithful is magnificent - not to be missed in Yellowstone National Park. Nearby there were plenty of bison to be seen and on the way back to West Yellowstone, Montana we stopped and explored the Grand Prismatic Spring. We are here for three nights and tomorrow we we explore the northern sector of the park. Today it did rained in the afternoon but did not spoil the beauty of the park. Cheers.

Day 11 (26 August 2015)

The small location of Rome in Oregon - one of our necessary wee stops to Boise, Idaho.

Having lunch in Boise, Idaho - just a small grass area near the Capitol building.

The State Capitol building in Boise, Idaho.

Inside the State Capitol building, Boise, Idaho - the exquisite white marble decor.

Looking up inside the State Capitol dome, Boise, Idaho.

The main street of Boise, Idaho from the steps of the State Capitol building, Idaho.

Entering Twin Falls, Idaho and about to cross of the Snake River and the huge Perrine Bridge.

View of the Snake River and canyon from the Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Anne and the Snake River from the Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho.

View of the Snake River from Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Another view of Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho,

At Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho,

We left Winnemucca at 8am, filled Bertha's tank, stopped at Walmart and headed north to Oregon. It is a long drive to our midday destination to Boise in Idaho. The countryside was semi-desert and the speed limit in Oregon was 55mph on an excellent road. Once we crossed into Idaho the speed limit increased to 80mph (125kph) which made the drive shorter. We didn't realise there was a time zone change from Pacific to Mountain time (one hour ahead) therefore our day turned out to be a 23 hour day. Boise is the state capitol of Idaho and before we toured the state building we had lunch in a local ground nearby. The state building is grand - inside the feature is made of white marble. Continuing eastward we made Twin Falls in Idaho and the Snake River cuts it way through the city. The highlight is the Shoshone Falls - unceremoniously called the Niagara Falls of the West. It was awesome but not like the famous eastern icon. The Perrine Bridge when crossing the Snake River was an experience, built in 1927 it is a magnificent structure. At night Anne and Choon hit Macy's with a vengeance - 70% off most items was too attractive to miss. Such bargains of fine clothes is far cheaper here in the US compared with Oz prices - it was a late night. Tomorrow we are off to Yellowstone National Park - yahoo. So until then cheers.