World United States Idaho Sun Valley

Where is Idaho?

Last discovery day, head to Boise May 30, 2012

We have to get up early to get our Breakfast. Sharron has to go into town, so we have to eat at about 7:15AM. OK, up, and cross to the big house to eat. It is fresh eggs, from the hens in the hen house on her property. She made us potatoes and onions, as requested, and good blueberry pancakes. We get through a whole pot of coffee. Back to the room, and back to bed for a short nap. We are both feeling the affects of the hike! Get up to shower, pack and get on the road of discovery. We plan the day. Check out the town of Salmon, just 11 miles north of our cabin. See if there is anything else to see up that way. Then we will backtrack a bit on US 93, to Stanley, and possibly visit the museum there. Sharron guided us to take US 21 to Lowman, then switch across to 24 to Banks, where we pick up US 55 south to Boise. She says it is worth the trip. So, we are off to Salmon. We find the tourist info located within the Chamber of Commerce. We ask about sites to see, and well, they are less than bubbling with ideas. It is now almost 11AM, so we leave and drive a bit up the road, and see an example of how a contraption with a water wheel thing helps to make sure that the salmon aren't swallowed up when they make their way up river from the Pacific. OK. Head back to town, and park and walk the town center to find some food. Nothing jumps out but we find a place with fish and chips, and eat there. I try some local beer, and eat lunch. After which, with no great attraction, in Salmon, we head out, south, back on 93. As we spend about an hour heading toward Stanley, we are tired, but happy to have been up to the hot springs. We arrive in Stanley, and the museum, is less than inviting, so we stop for gas, and get a snack at a local bar/diner. There is absolutely NO ONE in the place. It is about 3PM, but??? We use the AC outlets to juice up, eat, and then leave. As we are now on US 21, we see a sign for Stanley Lake. 3 miles down the road we find another wonderful state park, and a huge lake, with the snow capped mountains as a back drop. Stunning. It is sort of warm, about 60F, and when the wind is not blowing it is downright nice. On the road now, US 21, it is twisting, winding around and around these mountains. We start on Ponderosa Pine Scenic byway, with the temperature at about 63 degrees. As we wind around, watching the water on the side, the snow run off, get faster and faster, white water sort of bubbling down the mountain. As we get to the valley the temperature rises to about 75F, and the water gets a bit calmer. We turn onto the small road to Banks, and this is now know as Wildlife Canyon Scenic byway. We stop a few times, and the last time we see Kayak's getting ready to launch. We stop as the last guy slides down a wooden Kayak shoot. The water has some calm spots but just down from the put in is some very wild water. Getting closer to Boise, we are ready for food and sleep. We find a place close to the airport, and go back to the same sushi place. So good, we returned. The best of Idaho may still be waiting for us!

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