Salmon Idaho - Rest Stop

I know - after four days and I am already doing a rest stop!! It's not just because I'm old and tired, well a little of the later, but after talking with fellow travelers at Crater's of the Moon National Monument, I have decided to skip Grand Tetons and Yellowstone for now. At least until everyone goes away. Besides, with people stealing baby moose, walking on hot springs off the trail and someone falling into one??? I think I'll just give it a pass. Fortunately I have been there before, but...
Anyway, I'm heading straight North to Glacier NP and hope to catch a break. It is also good to have taken a moment to process the photos so far and catch up on this blog.  I discovered I have to clean my sensor after finding three huge spots (had to remove same from all the posted photos, phew!!). So with this last post of the week I'll do that and then get off my butt for awhile.
Salmon Idaho is a good sized town along the banks of the Salmon River. Part of my decision to stop was there is a micro brewery here - Bertram's Brewery. Not bad, hell I might just go back later.
Checked out the Farmer's Market, and though small, it did have some good veges though fruit is not yet available.

This is an 'in-camera' panorama on my Sony a7II, US93 heading North to the Snake River gorge.

This is a 9 shot (3 images with 3 exposures [HDR]) stitched together in Lightroom. Good comparison.

Main Street in Salmon

Fountain in town to the, what else, Salmon

Sign in a local shop window caught my eye. Damn, I'll have to miss it.

I'm told it is a gathering of local cowboy to drink beer, ride a mechanical bull, drink beer, talk bull, drink beer, and enjoy those Rocky Mountain Oysters, and of course drink more beer. I wait for some East coast oysters

Crater's of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

When planning my trip, I do upon occasion!, I thought going here on the way to Grand Teton's NP would be a good idea. I didn't have preconceptions about the place other than the fact it was a desolate moon scape.
Arriving from Twin Falls late in the afternoon (after loosing an hour to Mountain Time) I was happy to find most sites open. (Good I did come now, as they will close the camping area in July for the rest of the season to redo the sites and the roads.)
I did go to the Ranger's talk in the evening and did try my hand at star shots.

A bit of a moon lights the tree. I believe that is Sirius in Canis Major. Right?

Then I tried a little light painting with my head lamp. I have a very strong led light, but it just blew it up.

Spent the morning driving the loop trail. I'll just post the pictures and let you see it as well.

It is desolate. but there are plenty of beautiful views and sights.
My advice - go if you are anywhere near.

Twin Falls, Idaho

Famous for Evil Knievel's attempt to jump the Snake River Gorge with his 'rocket' bike. And also for Shoshone Falls. Twin Falls does have a good Tourist Office along the promenade above the gorge on the South side of the river where US 93 crosses the bridge. Perrine Bridge is pretty cool for all you BASE jumpers.

  Hell, everybody shows you photos of the bridge from downstream, right? Fewer cars to get in the shot.

It's almost 500' to the river. River has been carving on these banks for centuries.

Shoshone Falls Park is a very quiet and green resting place to watch water fall over the edge. I was lucky enough to arrive at a time when I could get right between the sun and the water mist for:

a double rainbow!!

I guess the Spring runoff has slowed, earlier this has so much water that the rocks on top are covered and there are truly two falls only.
It is worth the stop and good place for a lunch break. $3 to get in, unless you have a NP Senior's Pass, Yeh!!, then it's free - Have a pleasant stay!

Join me for my Day 3 in Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Continuing East

This is a catch up day. 

Last shot was of Donner Lake in California. 

I then moved on down into the Nevada desert on the I80 and headed East. I dislike the Interstate for my travels, though it is a great way to travel in this country for most people who just want to get from point a to b, because I must keep up with traffic 70-80MPH and miss so much. 

Stopped in Winnemucca for a leg stretch, they are more a Chamber of Commerce than Tourist info. Sad really. Other countries realize how important this is. But then again, what would you expect in Winnemucca, NV? (In fact, spell check for Google never heard of it!)

Stayed the night at a Rest Stop and took this as I awoke. I80 runs along side of the California Trail that was used by more than a quarter of a million settlers, including the Donner party, on their way to the land of milk and honey. Imagine traveling this land, mostly by foot, in a covered wagon. This would be a beautiful way to start the day, before the sun dried you out and the natives got restless.

Head East Old Man

My travel has begun with my journey along I-80 over the Donner Pass, down into the desert of Nevada.
Stopped along the highway and took this look at Donner Lake. Bad time of day, but I gave a good process.

Yes, Emily, Will's grandparents built a house on the lake in the '50s. Luck dogs!!
I am afraid I'll have to wait for another day to post more as I am currently at the Craters of the Moon Preserve and I only have 'one bar' and surprised at that.
I think I'll go to the Ranger talk tonight at 9PM and then try a few star shots as there is only a sliver of a moon.
More later

Coach Serviced and Officially take off Today

Election Day I did leave the kid's house in Brentwood and passed through the Delta area and stopped at Isleton, CA. They have an old Main Street, but with so many closed and unused building it is only of small interest. They started life with many Chinese to help build the area. One of the oldest Chinese buildings in California and is in process of renovation.
My main stop was Rocklin Mercedes to have the oil changed and vitals checked before leaving. It is difficult to justify a $200+ oil change but it is Mercedes and keeps the warranty in force. The big plus is they always wash your car when completed and since my car is a 25' motorhome it is an affordable wash. These guys make sure the car is clean when it leaves and they even got last season's bugs off the front!!
Camping World opens shortly (spent the night here - heavy freeway traffic, but the price is right) and will get the oil changed in the generator. Why not do it myself, you may ask? (Well not if you know me well.) I don't get dirty and they dispose of the used oil. By the way - where does all the 'used' oil go? Some land fill? Doubtful! Then they must recycle it, but that implies re-use, but to whom. And that means a sale to someone so the used oil that the shop charges us to empty and replace with new oil (12 quarts for the MB) must sell it to a re-cycler, right? Why do we not share the profit of our old oil? Sorry, forgot where I was.
Should be able to leave around 9am to head East, through Truckee, past Reno and into the Northern Nevada desert.
More later

Last Day before Expedition

Tomorrow maybe the California primary (I have mailed mine in! - VOTE!!), but I will be heading out for my long awaited USA exploration expedition. I prefer to call it an expedition as I will be exploring more than traveling from place to place and going as fast as possible between points.
This year I have given myself the mandate (or permission) of moving slower, staying longer and really 'seeing' what there is out there. The photos are of course a high priority, but I want to wait more for a better lighting condition and observe the flora and fauna in more detail and longer than last year's Alaska trip (Never did see elk or moose on the trip). That was what - about 5 months, 16000 miles and almost 2T of photo files.
I will check my stores today - last run to Trader Joe's, Costco was yesterday and spend my last night with kids and family.
I'll be going to Rocklin, CA to have the Mercedes dealer there give the coach an oil change and final check and then next door to the Camping World for the same treatment for the onboard generator. Then it's out of this 100+ heat and into the desert of Nevada (that must be cooler, right!!) before turning North in Wells, NV. I am hoping that will be the extent of my Interstate highway travel for most of this trip. I have wanted to travel on the less known US highways that go across this country and be able to go slower (about 55 to 60MPH is the best fuel economy for this coach of mine) and not worry about getting tailgated by a semi.
I found a book published by Moon called "Road Trip USA - Cross-country adventures on America's two-lane highways" by Jamie Jensen. Perfect! It seems well organized and though a bit economic in all the places covered along the roads (which is understandable to allow for a book one could lift) it gives a good overview and some interesting 'off the beaten path' highlights I'll be anxious to see. My next reference 'book' is Stone Road Press' "Your Guide to the National Parks" by Michael Joseph Oswald. It is a beautiful book with all 58 National Parks and though it is geared for the hiker it does and more in depth coverage of the sights in each park than just the Park Service guides. This covers my 'raison d'etre' for this journey, but of course I'll get all the info available at each Park and Landmark I visit.
My apps on my Apple include: "Field Trip" and "History Here" for places to see along the way. "Allstays Camp & RV Guide" along with "Passport America" for campsites along the way, though there will be a few Walmart stops as well. Some extra info on "REI National Parks" as well and of course "Gas Buddy" to find fuel deals. And of course, "Dark Sky" for weather. If you have others, give a shout out.
Hope you all have a wonderful summer doing what helps you de-stress and relax and energize.

Looking for new places to go this summer.