Falls Big and Small

 May 11 - 16, 2023

Twin Falls, Idaho

So done hearing Mom stress about that slide!

Moving from snow capped mountains in every direction into the flat, agriculture of southern Idaho is an easy 180 mile drive on smooth Interstate 84. With the exception of about 20 minutes of weirdness on the motorhome dash - loss of notification panel, flashing exhaust brake symbol, loss of cruise control (computer glitch most likely) - the drive is an easy one. We're listening to Anne Hillerman's latest novel on Audible that always helps these mostly viewless routes go by quickly.  

We are returning to Twin Falls 93 RV Park, about 9 miles north of the city. I know that since our last visit they added five rows of new pull-through sites so I figure we'll have several options for FHUs with open sky. For some reason they made two of the rows with water and electric only - seems like a bad business decision - limiting our options significantly. Our first site is very narrow and we can't open our dining slide due to a small tree. We're able to move to another 50 amp FHU site that is a challenge to negotiate, but is much larger. Gravel pad with good size grass area and picnic table. 

When we prepared our departure back in Ogden the wonky large slide failed to come all the way in on the first, second and third tries. Arrgh, I need tranquilizers! But I do finally get it all the way in, and swear I'm not moving it again until it's repaired. 

Here in Twin Falls I wait until after we venture out for a quick lunch (in a dark tiki bar that makes us laugh) before agreeing to give the slide another try. Bill really doesn't want to squeeze in and out of the bedroom every night! Slowly, with slight hesitation, it goes all the way out again. Now I just have to not worry about departure day again.

On the way for a grocery pickup I stop at the visitor center along the gorge - and the beautiful Perrine Bridge. I like this view better than driving the motorhome over it!

Given the lead time for repairs I send an email to a tech in Bend, Oregon, with all the details about our slide. They're open 7 days a week, so fingers crossed I get a positive response by Monday!

I have a short list of places to see here, and one is Scooters for Bison burgers - turns out to be another bar/grill :-)) And the burgers are just as good as anticipated - I definitely recommend a visit.

We aren't expecting more rain during our stay in Twin Falls, but Saturday night's sprinkles move into Sunday morning. Still, the forecast looks like it's moving on so we venture out before 11 to check out some of the local beauty. 

Perrine-Coulee Falls is 200 feet with a trail behind it but challenging access.

486 feet above the Snake River, the Perrine Bridge is the eighth highest bridge in the United States. I think it's even prettier from below.

A pretty but short drive takes us to Shoshone Falls. Although the falls are taller than Niagara Falls, they don't appear to be today. The multiple layers and stunning rock formations are uniquely beautiful with several overlook locations to appreciate it. 

Snake River Gorge taking the water to the Columbia River.

Also in the state park is little Dierkes Lake with a large grass picnic area and a calm swimming area. No dogs allowed - lots of signs :-(

Surrounded by basalt flows and scrub brush, it's an interesting area. 

We take I-84 north to the little town of Hagerman and Thousand Springs State Park Visitor Center to start the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway. The VC has some nice exhibits, but the information and the map we stop for are pretty useless. We never find the fossil beds and have to get creative to find the "scenics". 

Even with a return drive to the VC to pick up my cell phone from the middle of the road where it fell off the Jeep (I have no idea where I put it when we left the center, but noticed it gone about 20 minutes later), it's a pretty drive. Just a small scratch!

Sheep Camp Monument

A lovely old farmhouse.

Bell Rapids - a fishing spot along the Snake River.

Suffolk Sheep along the original Oregon Trail.

Storms are threatening all around, but there are several folks fishing at the Wildlife Management Area near the fish hatchery. Osprey, gulls, swallows and pelicans share the space.

The surrounding landscape gives me a new appreciation for the acres of developed agriculture here.

All from the same litter.

Osprey nest - just one baby visible on our drive out.

Both male and female pelicans develop temporary bumps during mating season.

A rare catch for me - birds in flight!

Springs along the gorge - scenic!

No signage, but we're able to see these from a parking lot.

Idaho does a nice job of providing historic information big enough to read!

It's Mothers Day so even late afternoon our first eatery choice is packed. We luck out with an old diner - Idaho Joe's gets us fed after a cloudy day of seeing the sights.

Sadly the mobile tech I was hoping could do our work in Bend doesn't work on Swintek slides (and I will never own another RV that has them). He does give me a lot of great information so I'm even more bummed he isn't the one we'll be working with. I find a shop with a less than enthusiastic person on the phone who can schedule us on the 8th, in Bend, two days after we're supposed to move on. Nope, we have to get this fixed. The park we're staying at is able to extend our stay and I book the appointment - yay!!

Now I just have to get the part ordered in advance so it's there when we arrive. Not going to be as easy as I hoped.......

Twin Falls has a few eateries along the gorge so we treat ourselves to lunch at Elevation 486 with stunning views. After yesterday's colder rain and wind, we're blessed with a calm 78 degree afternoon - and no crowd!

Capturing us in the large window behind the patio - fun!

Seared ahi salad with gorgeous views under sunny skies.

When reviewing the sights in this area there are several waterfalls to visit. I find it interesting that the last one on all the lists is Twin Falls. You'd think the namesake fall(s) would be first!

The twins are no more - not since 1935 while the city was named in 1905. One of the falls was "replaced" with a dam and power plant. The power plant was upgraded in 1995. The remaining falls are beautiful and powerful. 

Unlike Shoshone Falls, there is just a small parking and picnic area here. There's also no one else here - yay!

Then

Now

200 foot drop continues the Snake River.

The Snake River Gorge continues to Wow us.

A small, melodious cascade along the entry road.

Basalt cliffs of many colors.

I enjoy finding street art as a way to explore different cities. Twin Falls has an extensive public art program, but sadly the information, map, etc., are poorly done. Without a clear system on how to find each one, and some not where the program says they are, the treasure hunt is a bust. We find a few downtown, but eventually give up on the rest.

Wednesday we continue to Boise for a few more days in Idaho.

Reese Springing 

Penelope wishing Mom a happy Mothers' Day.

Elliott and Ezra terrorizing the highways.