Southern Roots And Snow Boots: High Plains Drifters...

We woke up late in Salt Lake City, thinking we had the morning to explore a little bit more...but Southwest Airlines had other ideas and we whisked Nana back to the airport early. After at the airport we hit I85 to Boise. In our minds we thought, we'll arrive early enough to explore. Famous Last Words.

On the road, we saw a sign that read "Rocket Display and Golden Spike". We knew the Golden Spike was the sight of the meeting of the Transcontinental Railroad. Rocket Display was an unknown. We couldn't pass up the chance to see history. We took the exit and were immediately in the middle of nowhere.

On our left looked like bunkers, is that a missile area...

On our right was the Great Fill, where the Union Railroad built a trestle and filled a ravine to help complete the railroad. The National Park service has done a great job in preserving history. I love a good detour (http://www.nps.gov/gosp/index.htm) On May 10th, 1869 at Noon time, both Lead Engineers met and drove the last spikes. Both missed on the 1st try. :) The enormity of the effort, the massive scale, of muscle power, sweat and human danger that went into building the railroad was felt at the site. We will never forget.

On our way back to the main road, we looked at the Rocket Display. The rocket display belongs to ATK (http://www.atk.com/) The leading manufacturer of missiles and rockets for the United States.

Back on the road in the middle of nowhere we found ourselves in Snowville. Named, not for the amount of snowfall, but for a Leader of the Latter Day Saints. We had lunch at the Ranch Diner. They do have an elementary school up to 5th grade. 6th grade and up get bused 38 minutes to the next town. Most people either farm or work for ATK and drive up to 40 to 70 minutes. The middle of nowhere.

Idaho is known for its wheat, cattle, and potatoes. A random notation: the hay bales west of the continental divide are square and the east they are rolled up. Hmmm...I wonder why.

So, we arrived much later into Boise. Honestly, this city is amazing. It's 100 degrees at 7pm and a lovely little town with character and culture. Wish we had planned to stay here longer. We stopped at the grocery to picnic in our hotel room. The hotel pool was amazing. It was a mini water park and swim area. Perfect for us! As Andy and I have said it gives us an excuse to return. Idaho has so much going for it...wineries, breweries, skiing, rivers, fly fishing, hiking, exploring and so much more. I think this will make a great get away from the rain and cold of Alaska.

Here are our pictures for today. Miss you all!