Wednesday, May 9, 2012

May 1, 2012. On The Road From Twin Falls To Somewhere Else..

We were stopped at a stop light
and I snapped a picture of this basket of pretty pansies.

I'm seriously thinking about trying out
one of these food trucks some time.


The night before, at our hotel in Jerome, Idaho,
where I had the worst Chinese takeout in my life,
I started doing laundry about 11-12.
I met one of the Comfort Inn employees, Damian,
and had a lovely late-night conversation with him.
The next morning,
I found a note slipped under my door,
thanking me for our chat,
offering me area restaurant options,
and suggesting the scenic route 30
instead of the interstate 84
for our travels that day.
Damian, if you're reading,
I thank you.

Whenever I can get off the interstate
and take the scenic backroads,
I'll do it in a heartbeat.
The trip was beautiful
and I got to see parts of Idaho
I never would have seen
had it not been for Damian.

Here's a note for when you travel:
Always talk to the locals.
Listen to them and take their advice.


I found out that Idaho is a beautiful state.


Green farm fields and a gorge/canyon
right behind it.
Photographs can't do this justice.


The landscape is stunning.




















I try to stop whenever I see a sign 
for a historical marker ahead.

Payne's Ferry

A scow powered by oarsmen
let Oregon Trail wagons cross Snake River
here from 1852 to 1870.

The Overland Stage service from Boise to a rail terminal
in Kelton, Utah, was moved to this crossing,
and M.E. Payne installed a large
(14 by 60 foot) new cable ferry that used
river current for power.
  After stage service was shifted to a more direct route
at Glenn's Ferry in 1879,
this boat handled mostly local traffic until 1910, 
when it broke away and sank 3 miles below here.
 


In the off-road parking area,
I found this little owl.
Dead.

He was still warm.
Sad.

Fishing Falls
When John C. Fremont came this way
mapping emigrant roads in 1843,
he found an important Indian village at Fishing Falls
 (Kanaka Rapids)
about 4 miles above here.
He reported that native salmon spearers there
were "unusually gay ... fond of laughter;
and in their apparent good nature and merry character ...
entirely different from the Indians 
we had been accustomed to see."
As Snake River's highest salmon cascades, Fishing Falls 
was included on many early western maps.
 










Waterfalls abound.



















Thank you again, Damian,
for your time,
 your kindness, your recommendations,
and your well-wishes.
All are appreciated.

3 comments:

Mr. P said...

Thank you for the pictures. Looks like you are having a good time. (Other than the food travails.)

Rosie Hawthorne said...

You're welcome, Mr. P. Thanks for commenting. Good food forthcoming!

Anonymous said...

Your little dead owl looks like it might be a barn owl, almost extirpated (not seen anymore) in many states due to loss of habitat. You probably noticed that its feathers are marked delicately, almost as if the colors were applied by air-brush. What a rare, special find - though sad too. I'm glad to hitch along on this trip with you, you take notice of such interesting details. Love to you! Becky