Shelley, Idaho

After leaving that wonderful campground in Salmon, ID, we headed south towards Idaho Falls for just a short stay.  We continued to follow the valley between the Salmon Valley Range and the Lost River Range.  We passed by ranches and farmland with nice views of the mountains. 

   

Then the valley widened and we found ourselves on a very long almost straight road that seemed to go on forever.  We drove many many miles without seeing a soul.  Just us, cows, one antelope, and even a coyote.  There are signs to watch for deer and cows!  Sure enough, we saw something black right on the side of the road, and soon realized it was a cow!  Guess the grass was greener on the other side of the fence after all!  What grass? The landscape became mostly scrub brush and desert so we saw cows grazing all along the hills and the base of the mountains.  “Here comes another RV.  Wave!  Who knows when we will see another human!”   If you break down out there, you better plan on getting out the grill, let the awning out, and get out the camping chairs!   Who knows how long it could be before help arrives!   

  

After about two hours on that lonely road, we were approaching Interstate 15 South and the valley really opened up to flat open land as far as the eye could see.  In the far distance we could make out the shadowy outline of the 3 tallest peaks of the Teton Range at Teton National Park.  The peaks are so tall that mountain men and Indians used them as a beacon when hunting or traveling.  We reached the interstate and headed to Idaho Falls.  Along the way as we passed through a small town, we saw a small real cattle drive being driven right down the road under an overpass.  Cowboys on horses and all! 

On the outskirts of Idaho Falls we saw buffalo, but they were fenced in like cattle.  Maybe that farmer is in the buffalo meat products business.  Hard to believe Buffalo used to number in the millions and blanket the west.  Some history stories say that they were so thick,  it would take 30 minutes before the entire herd passed by.  We have eaten buffalo meat before and it is pretty good if cooked right.  Just tastes like steak. 

  

We stopped at a small city park in Shelley, ID, just south of Idaho Falls.  Doug found this park on the internet.   It only has 12 sites and a small local recreational park.  It was clean with lots of green grass.  This little park seems to be quite popular.  We didn’t think they took reservations but I guess they do.  We wanted to stay 2 nights but could only stay one because all sites were taken the next night.  At least we had a nice sunset.