Mountains and Mud

Adventures Abound - Friday, May 22

There it is, right in the middle of our windshield…a huge divet of glass missing. Oh, not one, but two holes.  A truck went by us in a construction zone and kicked up a rock. Dang truck drivers!! LOL We laughed about how every vacation has something go wrong and after awhile we figure that if this is the worst that happens we are in good shape. We were on our way to Boise so we just figured that we would get it replaced there. Not going to let a little window crack spoil the fun!!

Besides, with scenery like this, we just can't be upset!!

Belief it or not, this was not the scariest part of our day though. We continued on down US 26 following the Snake River all the way into Idaho. We turned onto US 20 in Idaho Falls. Here is what we know now…don’t go this way EVER! The countryside is so desolate. Nothing and I mean NOTHING is there…except one small rest area three-quarters of the way across.

I thought that was terrible…then we came to the Craters in the Moon National Park. Oh my goodness, how weird to be driving through a lava field. Black and jagged lava structures surrounded me and all I could think is that we left Jenny Lake for this!!! It is interesting though when you think about the powers in nature that form something like this…but I prefer the powers of Jenny Lake and the Tetons.

(Sorry I have no pictures...apparently I was not inspired to take them at the time!! LOL)

Things Turn South

Another thing Charlie and I wanted to do during this trip was to camp on BLM land. We hear everyone talk about how wonderful it is and we wanted to try it. So using a variety of sources, including a Free Campsites book with excellent directions and descriptions, we located our first BLM land to camp on.

We found the road to turn on very easily. Fish Creek Reservoir was identified by a sign on the main road.  The road we had turned onto went from a gravel road to a washboard to a muddy mess. About five miles in we came across a sign that said “Public Access” but we weren’t sure if that meant to a boat ramp or the dispersed camping area, so we continued on. We drove and drove; and Lilah shook and shook. 

We came across an old homestead site. I thought of my friend, Kimbo Polo and her travels in the Good Deal Bus. You can read her travel blog here: http://kimbopolo.blogspot.com/ We have both commented about how when we come across these old homes we think about the people that had lived there and what their lives might have been like. So Kim, here are a couple of pictures just for you. 

So back to our adventure on the muddy mountain road. 

We kept thinking “just around the next corner” we will find our campsite and still nothing…no RV’s, no cars, no people. We thought we had seen a couple of RV’s way back in the mountains far from the public access sign but we were definitely not finding the road they took.

We finally turn around and head back the way we came. The public access road comes into view and we turn onto it. The road has large muddy areas and skirts the side of the mountain. Charlie drives it like a pro as I hang on tight and close my eyes. The road gets muddier the farther we go. It is too late to turn around now as the road is one lane and hugging the mountainside. 

We continue on cautiously. 

We go around the point on the mountain and there are the campsites filled with three large fifth wheel trailers one right next to the other. There is one empty spot right in the middle. Charlie and I quickly decide that we are not interested as it is apparent that these people know each other. We decide to just move on. 

Uh - Oh

We continue in the same direction but very quickly the road becomes one big concern! We are spinning our tires in the mud, sliding around, and splattering mud all over everything. Uh oh…up ahead there is one big mud puddle going across the road and we both realize this is turning south very quickly. 

Poor Lilah…what a mess we have gotten you into!!  We discuss the prospect of trying to drive through it and decided that might not be the smartest move way out here in the middle of nowhere. 

Alternative number one involves trying to turn around. Oh wait, we are on the side of a mountain on a slick muddy road. We actually give this one a try but with the bikes on the back, Lilah’s length, and the road being so muddy we just can’t get it done safely.

Muddy Toes

Alternative number two, back out! Charlie puts it in reverse and I get out helping him find the best spots to cross the massive mud puddles. I am walking in the mud and step on the edge of the road and the mud just sinks beneath my foot. You know what happened next…ha ha…that mud sucked my shoe right off my foot!! There I am standing in the muddy road with only one shoe on. Oh, what the heck…off come the shoes!! LOL

If we weren’t in such a precarious situation, I would have busted out laughing, but here we were in the middle of nowhere and worried about Lilah! Chuck backs down the road until we can get turned around. We say a prayer of thanks and after a two hour ordeal, we head back to the main road. We can’t believe we did this; let alone made it out without a tow truck! LOL

Okay enough driving today…we locate a campground and pay for a spot! We stay at the Silver Creek RV Park in Picabo, Idaho. We have the mountain on one side and an adorable farm on the other. We check out Lilah and make she is sound after our ordeal and although muddy, she looks good. It was so good to be on solid ground. At one point, we just look at each other and burst out laughing. We can’t believe we just did that!! Oh my!!!

Our campground has nice level spots, electric and water, wifi and hot showers. We end up working on the blog and relaxing while watching the little lambs play in the pasture next door. Aww, being next to this farm kinda’ feels like home!

 

What a day we have had…what an adventure we have had!! Yellowstone, Tetons, desolate highways, and muddy mountain roads – how FUN!!! 

Next we are off to Boise to spend time with my cousin, Debbie and her husband, Rick…oh, and to get the windshield fixed!!

Happy Travels!

Charlie and Tammy