We are now at the famcamp at Gowen Field, Boise, ID.
Last Sunday we went out for some exploring. Our first stop was south west of Grangeville at Tolo Lake which is part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park. This small lake was a gathering place of several bands of the Nez Perce and played a significant roll in their flight of 1877. Back in September 1984 there was a huge Colombian Mammoth bone found in the lake.
Our next stop was at the White Bird Battlefield, the first battlefield of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877.
Next we took a drive down to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. After stopping at the visitor’s center in Riggins, ID, which is actually closed, we made a drive up over a gravel road to Cow Creek Saddle. The Saddle is beautiful and we can just imagine how even more beautiful it would be in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Monday morning we left Grangeville on US 95 for the drive to Boise. Almost all of the highway is two-lane so we had to pullover several times to let folks pass us.
After clearing the gate and checking in at the Billeting Office we finally got settled in at the famcamp. This park is really just back-in parking on cement pads right on the road but has good 50 amp power and great water pressure.
Yesterday we took a drive over to Mountain Home AFB to check out their famcamp, the Exchange and Commissary. Joyce was able to get a vitamin supplement that she wanted and did some shopping for groceries.
September 16, 2018
On Friday morning Joyce was having a lot of problems breathing. Joyce was able to make an appointment with a allergy clinic in Boise. We parked the RV in a Walmart parking lot while we had lunch and went to the appointment.
We finally got on the road about 3:30 and made the 120 mile drive in good time. We got backed in one of the parking spots with 50 amp electric and then went into the lodge for a drink. It just so happens they were having a ribeye steak supper which made a long day much better.
The allergist recommended a chest x-ray so we got up Saturday morning and went to the hospital in Twin Falls to get that done. After some hassles she got it done and everything was good.
This morning we headed up highway US 93 to Challis, ID., making the 190 mile drive in good time despite the strong headwinds most of the way. We did make a stop in Arco for fuel which was $3.38 a gallon.
We pulled into the Round Valley RV Park about 2:30, got setup in a huge site and then went to get some groceries. We’ll be here for four days and do some day trips for sight seeing.
September 19, 2018
Joyce and I have been very busy sightseeing in the Sawtooth Mountains.
On Monday we started off with a trip up to Salmon, ID. Our first stop was at a local eatery, The Savage Grill. Joyce had a chicken sandwich and I had one of their burgers. All-in-all the joint is pretty good although I thought my burger was a little overdone.
Our next stop was at the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Center that is just a few miles north of where she was born. The Center is dedicated to Sacajawea and her people, the Agaidika Shoshone-Bannock and her role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. If you are ever in the area this is a must stop.
Next, we drove down Hwy 28, the Sacajawea Scenic Byway to the cutoff to the Lewis and Clark Backcountry Byway. This is a 39 mile drive on a gravel road that was a little rough in places but well worth the effort. You will see a lot of amazing country some of which will take your breath away.
After returning to Challis we had supper at the The Village Inn Motel and Restaurant. Noting fancy here but the food was darned good.
On Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the Tea Cup Cafe & Bakery here in Challis. This place is a “must do” if you are traveling through the area.
Next we made the 58 mile drive over to Stanley, ID located in the heart of the Sawtooth’s. With twenty-twenty hindsight, we should have booked RV parking somewhere here instead of Challis. This area is truly the essence of Idaho.
Salmon River on the way to Stanley
On the way to Stanley
Our next stop was at Redfish Lake and is about the same elevation as Stanley Lake. This area is much more developed that at Stanley Lake. There is the large Forest Service campground Glacier View Campground plus two other’s that are a bit smaller. Also there is the full-service Redfish Lake Lodge that has cabins, a dining room and a small store. They also have a marina with watercraft rentals. Large RV’s or trailers probably should use this area rather than the Stanley Lake campgrounds at least until they get the new sites finished there.
There are some RV parks in the area as well. Check these out:
Mountain Village Resort
Valley Creek Motel and RV Park
Elk Mountain RV Resort
Today we drove back over toward Stanley to the land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area. This beautiful area of the Sawtooth’s was, for many years anyway, about gold.
The Custer Motorway is a 46-mile follows the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River and turned out to be one the highlights of our trip to the Sawtooth’s. Most of the Motorway is on a gravel road that is a little narrow in some places but the scenery is worth the slow going. We would absolutely recommend doing this drive in the fall.
More later.
Barry & Joyce
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