Shoshone Falls

I know you must all be pretty tired of me using words like stunning, mighty purdy, magnificent, beautiful, cozy, etc, etc, but there are just so many places here in the US that qualify as all those things and then some. But I wonder if maybe the nicest yet are the views we saw this morning, at Shoshone Falls in Idaho. Just click on through if you need more, but these should convince you.

All pics here.

I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. There is something very LOTR about this area, something otherworldly.


But so beautiful.


Arty farty soft pic.


The rarely seen water monster.


And the even rarer water nymph.


Not sure what the dark color on the rocks is caused by. Algae, maybe?


If I squinted my eyes and tilted my head just so, I could let myself imagine that this old powerstation was some kind of Greek temple.


The incredibly beautiful and serene waters just behind the falls. I'd do anything short of actual, hard labour to be able to afford a house here.


Siri agrees.


A park bench and Lady Liberty just up from the water's edge. Somebody's understood what it's all about.


Cooooozy cave on the small island in the middle of all the roaring water.


Wail.


Both Siri and I thought this would be the perfect little bathing place.


This area would also qualify.


There was a rainbow forming down in the foaming waters.


A natural bridge just downstream from the falls.


The view downstream. Evil Knievel tried to jump the river about where the power lines are, but failed miserably.


Green lawns in the park by the side of the falls.


The lovely lake up behind the falls and the water. I don't think it was in any way connected to the actual falls.


Garbage?!?!?! This is what the death penalty is for!


I tried to follow Siri's jump over the little stream by the parking lot, but that was an epic FAIL. I got wet and muddy.

Twin Falls

Sunday we had a loooong drive from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Twin Falls, Idaho. Most of the southern parts of Wyoming, along Interstate 80 is pretty boring and without the variation that has characterized most of our drive so far.

I didn't take any pictures until we almost reached Twin Falls, when we hit a bridge into town over the Snake River. They had an info post there so we stopped to read and take some pictures. Soon it was blowing up to be a real storm and I have some pics of that too. Today, we stopped by the tourist info at the Chamber of Commerce, and the lady there told us this bridge was the only one in the United States where base jumpers were allowed, and people came from all over the world to jump it.

All Twin Falls pics here.

Water coming round the bend...


...and disappearing down the canyon...


There's a storm a-brewing.


Sandstorm, with a little rain thrown in. Siri took this pic, hanging out of the passenger window like a dog.

Return to Scott's Bluff

Saturday, we arrived at Scott's Bluff at appx. 6:50m PM and I was immediately disappointed at the closed gate and the sign on the office door which said they closed at 7 PM. Still, I went inside to mope and moan to whoever was on duty, wailing that we'd come all the way from Norway to see the views from the top.

Fortunately, the elderly guy behind the counter was very sympathetic to my lament and offered me a ride up the mountain, since he was going up there after 7 anyway, to chuck out all remaining cars. People were allowed in the park till sundown, which was still a good hour or so away and he recommended I walk down, since it was only a 2.6 km (1.6 mile) stroll, mostly downwards.

I heartily thanked him and went out to tell Siri the good news. We waited around for about 15 minutes and I took some pics of the cute and fluffy bunnies that jumped around the grounds. He then came out and put us in the Ranger car; I even got to ride up front, wheeeee! We passed a few sporty people who were walking up there and did our best not to gloat too visibly.

Up at the top we walked around and took our pictures. I am happy to report that Siri was every bit as stunned at the views up there as I had been back in '09. We then walked down the narrow, winding path and gawped at the rock formations and the steep hillsides and the tiny tunnel through the mountain. We took a lot of pictures, but sadly my battery gave up halfway down, and I'd brought the wrong back-up battery so I should have taken even more. Wail.

All pics (including the old ones) here. You can read my post from 2009 here.

I warned Siri not to go too close to the edge. I made it clear that no one was to fall off the cliff without it being MY doing.


You can see forever and ever from up there. View to the east.


View to the west/north-west.


One of the many pine trees at the top. Have I mentioned that I absolutely looove pines?


Ravines looking like fingers on the plain down below.


Erosion doing its work. This metal pipe was put into the ground in 1933, and was then level with the rock around it.


Whimper.


The tunnel through which we walked.


The tunnel up close. It was warmer than outside. Someone had thoughtfully dug a little opening about midway, from which one might jump out and scare the beejesus out of other walkers.


The bluff is a geologist's dream. You can see the layers in the rock clearly.


This gave me a craving for ice cream.


A lonely pine tree stood on the hillside on the north end of the walk and looked too picturesque not to photograph.


Awwww.

Carhenge

After the Black Hills, I sped on towards Nebraska. I'd waxed lyrical about Scott's Bluff earlier and wanted to get there before the sun went down or the Rangers closed the place for the night. Yet I found time for one attraction along the way - Carhenge. I'd been there in 2009, and it looked like they'd added to the exhibition.

All pics here.

Spawning salmon is still a favorite of mine.


This must be some kind of time capsule. It says it should be opened in June, 2044. If I'm still alive, I'll try and remember and then post something from it.


Crazy idea, but cool. Having been to the real Stonehenge, I much prefer Carhenge.


Me showing tiredness after driving over 14,000 miles. And counting.


Much of rural Nebraska is still hot, flat and boring. Still, it makes up for quite a bit of what y'all put on yer tables every day.

Goodbye to the Black Hills

Saturday has been another loooong day. First we drove back up again to Rapid City, to have brunch with an old friend of Siri's, then we drove back down through the beautiful Black Hills. I showed Siri the incredible views from Mt Coolidge, we saw tons of deer along the way, plus lots and lots of prairie dogs; even a badger. Add to that two buffalos and the lovely city of Hot Springs, which has a nice looking main street with sandstone buildings and a cozy little stream running next to it, and you have a really nice day out. And that was just the first of three events I had planned for the day.

All Black Hills pics here (including the old ones).

Siri striking a pose in Hot Springs.


It really is a most lovely little town, with a nice mix of pioneer feeling and tourism to it.


A river runs through it.


Siri's version of prairie dog life: "Do you see anything?" "No, do you?" "There's some good grass over here". "Here too." Repeat as often as necessary.


I think this might be the same big 'un I saw almost two weeks ago.


Man of the shades.


International woman of mystery.