Getting Out of Dodge

I planned this trip with the intention of finding solitude and communing with nature. I succeeded. The road from Pocatello to Craters of the Moon was very lightly traveled. In 2 hours I didn’t see more cars than I could count on my fingers. Craters of the Moon, although desolate, has a beauty of its own. It reminded me of the landscape in the Galapagos Islands . . . Both are made from volcanic lava flows.




From Craters of the Moon, I traveled to Stanley via the Salmon River Scenic Byway. It was obvious why this area was designated a scenic byway.



Stanley is a small town in western Idaho with a population of 100, 1 grocery store, 2 liquor stores, several motels and lodges, and a fabulous view of the Sawtooth Mountains. This is the view from the deck at my motel.


I diligently checked Trip Advisor while planning this trip and found mixed reviews about the management here at the Riverside. All the reviews said it was clean and well kept, and they were right. The debate was over whether the owner was a grumpy @#$*% or whether she was reasonably easy to get along with. So far, I am happy to report that she is quite pleasant. She seems to think it a bit odd that I am traveling alone, but she gave me a good mystery to read, offered the usual kudos for my chosen profession when she saw the apple on my Visa card, pointed me toward some good local food, and invited me to wear my galoshes and tromp through the still soggy grass over to the common patio area should spring make an appearance during my stay.

I had dinner at the Redfish Lake Lodge. The scenery was beautiful.


More to come tomorrow (assuming the wi-fi holds out) . . .