Boise Part II

Sep 25

My longtime childhood friend, from hana bata days, Jan and her husband Joel will be joining us for a few days. We picked them up this morning. We'll be in Boise for a couple of nights, then make our way to Las Vegas. Looking forward to this adventure with them, should be fun.

We visited the Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site. Over 13,000 prisoners served time at the Old Idaho Penitentiary between 1872 and 1973. The Old Idaho Penitentiary opened its doors in 1872 to some of  the West's most desperate criminals. Today, visitors can experience over 100 years of Idaho's unique prison history with a visit to Solitary Confinement, cell blocks, and the gallows. The site features thirty historic buildings and special exhibitions.

We had a guided tour that lasted over two hours. Very interesting with so much history. One of the youngest prisoners was eleven years old with the last name Whitaker.

This Whitaker has one "T".... no relationship???

Prisoners hung by dropping through the trap door

This is called the drop room

Our roommates for the next few nights

Dinner was at Texas Roadhouse. First time eating here for Jan & Joel. As always...pretty good steak.

When we got home we all went to enjoy the pool and hot tub. Perfect way to end the day.

Sep 26     Today is Carmen's wedding. That's why we're in Idaho.

The wedding is at Charles' parents house. Their backyard was decorated very nice. Perfect place for a wedding, and the weather cooperated too. Very nice and sunny. Carmen's mom and her sister in law flew in last night and surprised her. Everything went beautifully and Carmen and Charles looked very happy.

Charles brother Mike does catering in Idaho. They put out a good spread They had a nice menu and everything was delicious.

Sep 27     Hi Valley RV Park, ID - Buhl     119 miles     3 hours

Today we drove 3 hours down the road to Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl, Idaho. It's located on the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway.

Our first glimpse of Snake River

It begins at US30, just after exiting I84 at Bliss. The byway drops almost immediately into the massive Snake River Canyon. Water, water everywhere. We could see how Thousand Springs got its name. An abundance of natural springs gush from the steep canyon walls and cascade into the river below. The water source is the Snake River Plains Aquifer, one of the largest groundwater systems in the world. It creeps through an area of several thousand square miles under southern Idaho's porous volcanic rock before emerging from the springs in the cliffs.

Southern Idahoans have been enjoying the soothing waters of hot springs for generations. That is where we'll be camping tonight, Miracle Hot Springs. It's a geothermal oasis, natural hot spring water that is soft to the touch and odorless.

They have a small RV park with water and electric for $21.00 per night. The river flows right next to our site, pretty awesome.






After setting up camp, we continued our trek along the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway to Shoshone Falls in Twin City, Idaho. Shoshone Falls is also known as the Niagara Falls of the West. With a 212 foot drop and a width of 900 feet, it is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States. However, September is not peak season for the falls. The flows were way down but it was still very pretty and the whole area is very scenic.

Normally, water covers this whole area

A little ways down the canyon we saw panoramic views of the launch site of Evil Knievel's ill-fated 1974 jump.

In the distance Evil Knievel launch site

Dierkes Lake

Dierkes Lake was located a little way from Shoshone Falls. Very nice park with a good swimming area. In the summer, this park must be very busy.

Perrine Bridge was our next stop. This bridge spans the majestic Snake River Canyon on the northern edge of Twin Falls. The bridge is 486 feet high and 1500 feet long. Perrine Bridge is also the launching  point for base jumpers parachuting to the canyon floor below.

When we got back to camp, we went to the pools. $10.00 per person to enter. There were four different pools with varying temperatures, very relaxing.

Jan and I enjoyed it so much that after dinner we went back to soak. Life is good!