the long and winding roads.  Coming up out of White Bird Idaho it seemed like one constant assent.  I for one am scared of heights but when I can look the views are amazing.

Monday night we stopped just short of Coeur d’Alene Idaho in Worley found a cheap parking lot with electric.  We drove through small town America even came across Moscow, but did not see the Kremlin. Stopped at the Nez Perce Indian Museum interesting band of indians.  All through this area we’ve travelled in Idaho you will see the English word below the Sahaptian word.  People who know me know I slaughter languages other then english so I’m keeping the pronunciation to myself.  For more info on the Nez Perce check this out.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nez_Perce_people

On to Montana today.

Got up and out early wanted to drive down to Hells Canyon Recreation area and hopefully catch some animals.  The road over is 17 miles of gravel with switchbacks, hairpins, and a 16% grade.  That in itself is insane add to the fact that it is also open range and single lane in spots.  This road crosses the divide between the Salmon and Snake rivers, it is also the only road into Hells Canyon from northern Idaho.

Pittsburg Saddle is the high point at 4291 you climb 2800 feet from the Salmon river side then drop 3000 feet down to the Snake river side.  The views were amazing. Once on the other side down by Pittsburg Landing the water was much calmer.   Then we decided to climb back up because there is only one way out and that’s up and over. Good article on the road and landing. http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/road-accesses-magnificent-hells-canyon/article_7b0ceec1-be74-58d7-a614-6b44e46762c3.html

Info on the canyon

https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/find-a-forest/hells-canyon-national-recreation-area

Did this all before noon, grabbed lunch then went for another drive this time old 95.  This road also had switchbacks, hairpins, and no guardrails in spaces.  I was able to take a picture of the new road from the old road. I was scared because of the curves.  Here’s info on the summit https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/natural-attractions/whitebird-hill-summit/  It was very pretty up here.  We headed to Grangeville to get gas and come home on the new 95 so much easier.  Stop at a store that had huckleberry ice cream and I found Roy’s been holding out on me, he has his own seasoning, so I also bought some.

Full day of driving a few deer lots of cows and many curves.  Headed to Coeur d’Alene.

Driving in the mountains today was down to 39 degrees, it was cloudy and rainy on and off today.  The only wildlife on the drive today was one road kill raccoon.  I didn’t see wildlife until we got our camp set up, then across the swollen Salmon river we saw three young deer.  I got pictures.

Driving up ID-55 we saw three waterfalls and numerous raging rapids.  I thought this area would be a good place to try white water rafting but the water is way too rough.  The lady who checked us in said the snake river is a little calmer as it is wider.  This river is rough because of all the snow melt coming down from the mountains.  It was funny we had to use pull outs a couple of times because in Idaho if you have more than 3 cars behind you use designated pull outs.

We stopped twice on the way up, once to take pictures of the rapids, then to eat in the car.  We stopped in front of a field of cows this one brown cow would not let her eyes off of Roy.

Tomorrow we are going looking for wildlife and taking a scenic drive into Hells Canyon, via Pittsburg Landing.  The road is 17 miles of single lane gravel road, with turn outs.

We are in White Bird for two nights then to Coeur d’Alene for one night.

Today Lenny, Roy and I set out for the water, some food and finally some caches.  On this trip for my photos I would like to include more landscapes, also my video will feature more of what we are doing.  That said.

We picked up our tour guide at 9am and headed east towards Twin Falls Idaho looking for 1000 Springs Tours in Hagerman Idaho.  I had talked to Captain John on the phone and asked for the ole farts discount, which he promptly gave after lhao.  So in introducing myself I ask if he was the Captain, nope I’m Barnacle Bob.  I knew we were in good hands until on the way back we ran over a log, that had rolled into the path of the boat, dang Barnacle Bob’s driving.  Fear not Captain John over took Barnacle Bob and saved the day.  The tour was on a house boat and included a buffet, reminded me of the midwest. It’s just a two way river street up back and halfway up again, even Barnacle Bob didn’t get lost.  The cruise was amazing and I think I got some good pictures.  I promise this weekend you will have some pictures.  If you are anywhere near Boise you need to head out and take the tour.  More info on this small family owned business. http://www.1000springs.com The waterfalls were full and saw quite a few blue herons, white pelicans, and western grebes.  The grebes are diving birds very camera shy but I think I captured one or two.

On the way home we stopped for an earthcache and a true 1/1 cache.  We had an enjoyable day that was finished off with a trip to Wallyworld.  I was having withdrawals, not really had to restock the fridge.  Headed up to White Bird Idaho on Saturday for another two days.

I was in Boise joining the Army now I’m camping on a Military base in Boise.  Funny the paths life takes you.   I can’t believe it’s been ten years since I made a decision to change mine and Roy’s life.  I am glad I had the chance to serve my country and meet some amazing people along the way.

Speaking of meeting people we had dinner with Lenny and I was able to see May’s GCC geocoin and the blue indian chief headdress coin thank you Lenny.  Tomorrow we are going on a river boat cruise with Lenny should be fun.

The drive over today was raining and winding and we are here until Saturday morning.  I will try and post pictures tomorrow.

June 6th travel day 1 night stopover in Klamath Falls Oregon, free parking lot no hook-ups but boondocking is ok.  Driving up we saw 3 young bucks ran right in front of us, cool.  June 7th another travel day and 1 night stop over in Burns Ore, tomorrow we will rest our weary heads for two nights in Meridian ID to see fellow geocoin collector and cacher Lenny.

We did take the road less travelled today and I learned a valuable lesson.  Lesson learned was take a paper map with you when using GPS car navigater. We are driving along on a paved road and here in 1000 feet take the next right, we get there and it’s a dirt road.  So we pull out the map and continue down the paved road.  I guess we are old school.

The place here (Burns RV Park) is cute on the river and quite a few skeeters.  When we pulled in a newbie rvercame to chat and we were able to help her.  She had an R-Pod with a slide out no surge protecter though and she wanted to go solar, also gave her some leads on generators.

Roy and I both took a good shower so that was very refreshing the best part is they were FREE.  I hooked up the cable, Roy used the free internet, I went for a short walk.  It was short because I got bite to hell by skeeters, rubbing alchol is my friend.

No we didn’t go back to Vulcan, we visited Hat Creek Radio Observatory AKA Allen Telescope Array (ATA) or I want to say S.ETI.   No contact yet, maybe someday.  SETI uses the telescopes 12 hours a day and SRI uses them the other 12.  Bought my first shirt here.  UC Berkley started the telescopes here because it was very quiet they stopped in 2011. We were up and out the door by 8:45am and made our firststop by 9:15.  

Our second stop was Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery.  I was able to feed the fish.  It was funny to see them jump like crazy towards the direction of the pellets.  I could never be a fisherman though heavy feet when I walked towards the tanks where the big fish were they swam away.  Right before we left I checked out the albino trout I will post pictures when I have better internet.

After leaving the hatchery we came across some car sculptures then made a wrong turn. We drove for a while in the wrong direction, our goal was Burney Falls.  We made it right around lunch time only to find out my DV California pass would not be good after the end of July.  So we headed to the town of Burney for lunch at McDs and phone calls (no cell service at park).  I was so impressed with Roy 2 1/2 stops before lunch.

Back to the falls, where we found a parking space 75 feet from the overlook doable for both of us.  I’m still trying to learn my camera so more practice shots 😃.  It was getting warm dress in layers.  From here we went to Subway cave a lava tube this was cool in more ways then one.  My pictures didn’t turn out in fact they were spooky.  I was the only one who went down but Roy made it to the stairs going down to the cave.

On the way home there was a traffic alert so turning on the radio we here TRACK FIRE 3 miles past jct.  It comes to be a truck fire not to bad though.  Back to home base at 4pm and in bed by 10pm.  Tomorrow headed to Klamouth Falls one night.

Today is June 4th we’ve been gone 4 days already seems like we left yesterday.  Speaking of yesterday it was a very lazy day.  Roy and I took some time to use my tri-pod so I am more skilled to lay in wait for animals we’ll see.  Oh and that all important bear selfie (JK).  We are headed to Lassen National park where 10 miles of it is drivable.

Upon arriving at Hat Creek Resort, I immediately thought of summer camp meets Jason.  AWESOME!  We check in and cell phones, internet, cable, pay phone all don’t work (they say a lightening strike took the,m out last week) now I’m checking around for the hockey mask.  We are in the woods and there is a motel up front some cabins and then the rv park.

We decided to head to Lassen Volanic NP, good choice.  The park was nice even though I only saw the first 10 miles.  I did see geese on a log, deer no other animals that’s cool they aren’t hiding yet.  I saw and touched snow, it was COLD.  In touching it I remember why seeing it from the desert floor at home is as close as I want to be.

I have pictures I will be posting of snow grafitti.  I thought of my friend Shelby instantly because SHELBY was written in the snow.

Tomorrow we are headed to the fish hatchery, seti, and Subway cave.