Craters of the Moon.

Location, Craters of the Moon, ID

Just a short trip today from Twin Falls to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

We arrived at noon and found out that there was space in the campground for our big rig so immediately found a spot. Our original goal was to stop briefly and then go on to Arco, Id which is only another 18 miles. We thought it would be to hot to stay in the park without air conditioning but it turns out to be a mild day with clouds and a smattering of rain. Perfect conditions for this park.

We ate lunch then started on a driving trip which is a loop with side roads to investigate. We walked the trails, looked at the plants, and walked about ¾ of a mile to the caves which are really lava tubes. There are three you can reach easily by walking a narrow blacktopped trail. I elected to enter Indian Cave which is about 800 ft long and very large in diameter. The bad part of this cave is there is no obvious trail once you reach the floor of the cave. After walking about 200 feet there is a large hole in the ceiling and a very large pile of rubble directly beneath it. You need to scramble over very large boulders to get to the rest of the tunnel. I decided to forgo this part of the tunnel and turned back. I had to use my Droid phone light to find the path back. It was raining when I emerged from the tunnel so I got a little wet on my walk back to the truck. Clyda had turned back when I entered the tunnel and she really got wet.

Path to Indian Cave through the lava field.

Down inside Indian Cave. I am in the middle of the picture.

The rain finally cleared off as it does most days and we had a beautiful evening. We even attended the evening ranger program.

Exploring Twin Falls, ID.

Location, Twin Falls, ID

The expected thunderstorms yesterday never materialized. I heard it sprinkle a few drops during the night but that was all.

Today was a day of exploration. We started out driving east from our location which is west of downtown Twin Falls. My goal was to drive around the south side of the city then north to Shoshone Falls in the Snake River Canyon. Other than one detour because of road construction we found the road down to the falls. The falls are impressive! Although they have been dammed for hydro electric power, they still impress.

Associated with the parking areas is a very nice park with tables, restrooms, and well manicured lawns.

From Shoshone Falls we drove east to Twin Falls which are less impressive because they are dammed with the water flow restricted. Again the park was nicely kept. In fact we had our lunch there.

From the Twin Falls we crossed over the Snake River and checked out an RV Park on the north side of the canyon. I had originally planned to stay at Anderson Camp but later changed my mind in favor of the Hwy 93 RV Park west of town.

We drove back to Twin Falls via I-84 and Hwy 93 to the north side of the canyon where we drove along the canyon to a point at which we could see down on Shoshone Falls. A different prospective than what most people see.

On the way back to the highway I took a picture of the dirt ramp on the south side of the canyon that Evil Kneival used for his take off attempt to jump the canyon. The Snake River is between me and the ramp.

Twin Falls, ID and the Snake River.

Location, Twin Falls, ID

Today’s drive was only 109 miles, most of it in rain.

Our original plan was to go to the city park in Wells, NV for a pancake breakfast which was part of the car show. When we got up at 7 AM it started sprinkling and continued to rain as the morning wore on so no pancake breakfast in the park.

About 9:30 I decided to put on my raincoat and start getting ready for the road. We pulled out about 10 AM in rain and it rained all the way North through Jackpot, NV and stopped just south of Twin Falls, ID. I was surprised at how much traffic was on Hwy 93 for a Sunday. This has become a major road for traffic in both directions.

We are camped at Hwy 93 RV Park about 6 miles west of Twin Falls. After lunch we drove into town and checked out the Perrine Bridge over the Snake River and all the water falls which drop over the edge of the escarpment and into the river. To the left in the following photo is where Evil Kneivel attempted to jump the Snake River.

Looking west or down river.

Water fall next to a large house on the south wall as viewed from Centennial Park.

Perrine Bridge viewed from Centennial Park.

We had brief sunshine this afternoon but it later turned to grey overcast skies. There is the threat of thunderstorms tomorrow.

Hot day and hot cars in wells, NV

Location, Wells, NV

After a long hot drive of 350 miles today we arrived in Wells, NV. The first RV Park we planned to stay at was a Passport America park called Crossroads. The website calls it a “resort” which must be a euphemism for “dirt lot”. It was a pie shaped piece of land with a few power pedestals. None of the half dozen sites could accommodate a rig bigger than 20 feet in length. We decided to pass on this one.

The next park was full because of a car show this weekend so we took the third option which was friendly Angel RV Park. We were met in the driveway by a lady who welcomes us and asked us to come inside and register.

After parking and getting set we sat in the shade until dinner time as it was cooler than the inside of the trailer. After dinner we drove into town for fuel and then parked on a side street to watch the car parade. They said there were about 277 cars registered for the show tomorrow. Not all of these were in the parade tonight. I got pictures of many of them. I hoped some of them are good.

There is a street dance tonight and a pancake breakfast tomorrow in the park. We have an easy day tomorrow so may go to the pancake breakfast before we leave.

Location, Carson City, NV


We are at the Gold Dust West RV Park in Carson City, NV. We drove up Hwy 395 from Mammoth Lakes through Bridgeport and along the Walker River. This is a small RV park with good Wife and pull through sites. It is located on old Highway 50 at the East side of Carson City next to the new Hwy 395 by-pass.

Before I continue I should mention that we drove up to the Minaret overlook at the Mammoth Ski lodge. There was still snow in patches along side the road. Of course, this is at 9000 foot altitude. There is also lots of snow on Mammoth Mountain and even some right behind the lodge. This was a bumper year for snow in the Sierra’s. All creeks are running and the lakes are full. Even Topaz Lake south of Carson City is full.

This afternoon we toured the state capitol building. The tour didn’t last long as it is self guided and covers two floors. There are only a few rooms on each floor. The Governor and a few state officials occupy the building while the legislature and Supreme Court are in other buildings. The floors are Alaskan marble and are quite beautiful.

We are waiting out a thunder storm which is moving this way from the Sierra’s. So far we have only gotten a few sprinkles.

Tomorrow we move on to Wells, NV which is about 350 miles from here.

Quick update.

Location, Mammoth Lakes, CA


We left home on Wednesday with our route being through Santa Maria, Ca and then East on Hwy 166 to Maricopa and on to Tehachapi where we spent the night as guests of Budd and Brenda and Jessica who is 2 years old. The weather was beautiful with clear skies and warm.

Yesterdays drive through the Mohave was hot, about 96 deg average and smoky from a fire in the Golden Trout Wilderness West of Olancha. We did stop in Bishop for a sandwich at Shotts' Bakery and the temp was about 98. The sandwich line was out the door. Busy place. Can't imagine how much money they take in each day.

We couldn't get into Glass Creek as they limit it to 49 sites and all were full. Bummer! We drove back to Mammoth and stayed at Mammoth RV Park which is the pits but they do have good Wi-Fi and TV. They charge $47 for a blacktop parking lot.

Our plan was to stay 2 nights but we will move on today as this place is party central although it was quiet from midnight on.

Location, At Home, CA

Our company is all gone. Clyda had a good time at her reunion Saturday night. All of the ladies in her group went without their husbands which I am sure made for a nice time by them.

I washed the RV on Saturday, waxed half of it yesterday and finished it this morning. That is a BIG job. I use an 8 ft step ladder to reach the high stuff. I used Gel Gloss wax because the Gel Coat really needs it. I now have smooth feeling sides but they look blotchy. Best I can do right now.

We have much of the loading done but food items and last minute stuff will be done tomorrow.

Our weather has turned warm which means it must be time to leave. The good weather is always after we leave or just before we get home.

I aired the tires early this morning before they warmed up. I can tell the truck has been in for service as the tire pressures were all over the map. I don’t know what the shops use for a gauge but must they must do it by inspection. That looks about right … no… maybe a leettle more. That should do it!

Anyway, I checked the pressure with a digital gauge. It may not be right but it is consistent.

We have been invited out for dinner the last few nights which is really nice as we don’t need to stop what we are doing and fix dinner. Of course, there are still leftovers in the fridge from all the company but I am sure they will get eaten somehow.

Look for entries from down the road, or I should say up the road, as we are in fact headed North.