Eastern Idaho

My week started out with a five hour drive to Driggs, Idaho on the Wyoming border. I drove through lots of acres of scrub, hills and mountains. The first part of the drive was a little boring as I’d been that way before toward Twin Falls. But things got more interesting as I hit Rte 20 and Rte 33. Two lane highways but great scenery.

As I came out across a beautiful valley with nothing but farmland surrounded by mountains, I watched a lone farmer in the field adjusting the irrigation sprinkler. And I thought how hard and lonely that occupation must be and how grateful I am for the farmers who grow our food.

On a lighter note, you know that I love spotting signs that I think are weird, or make me laugh or are just unique to specific areas. This trip had no shortage of these. Along I-84, they had occasional signs for “Interstate Oasis”. I thought that sounded pretty exotic until I realized it’s just a truck stop area. In the south, we just call them truck stops. I’m thinking we need to up our game!😂😂 I also saw (but didn’t have time to visit) the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfeet, ID and the World Famous (according to the billboard) Idaho Horseshoeing School.

As I got closer to my destination, I drove through Teton, ID as well as the tiny town of Tetonia where the Main Street is like 900 ft long. There is one gas station there and I saw two police cars there. Now I don’t know whether it was a shift change or if the farmers and ranchers in Tetonia get rowdy on Monday evenings but I did see a guy riding crazy on a dirt bike. So I guess you never know. 😂😂 Although the speed limit went from 65 to 45 to 35 to 45 to 65 within about a mile as well. So maybe folks just aren’t too certain which zone they’re in.

Driggs is on the border of Idaho and Wyoming. Just before I reached Driggs, I pulled off at an overlook and got my first good view of the Teton Mountain range and a few little critters living around the rocks there.

Driggs is a small town as well. Population 1660. But it’s very popular with tourists as there’s lots to do nearby and not horribly far from the Teton Pass through the mountains to Wyoming and Teton National Park as well as Yellowstone access. I was hoping to have a bit of time to drive into Wyoming briefly. Unfortunately a few days prior they had a huge rainfall which caused a mudslide that took out a section of road and closed the pass. The only other way around was an extra 2 hours that I didn’t have on this trip.

Instead I booked a few extra stops with customers on the way back which took me a slightly longer and different route home. I got the chance to see Craters of the Moon National Park. It’s basically acres of lava rock that make the land look like the surface of the moon almost. Pretty incredible.

And as I drove further down Rte 20, I passed gorgeous farmland which gave way to more hills. The two lane highway didn’t offer many places to stop for pictures

As I came through the mountain passes toward Twin Falls, I found another few interesting signs. One warned of wildlife crossings in the winter. Another warning stated “Open Range. Watch for Livestock.” That one worried me - especially on the curvy roads with 60 mph speed limits. What’s gonna happen? Will I round a corner and find a herd of cows grazing on the side of the road or crossing it? Not gonna lie, that one freaked me out a little. But I’m happy to report that no livestock or wildlife was sighted. 😂😂

I made it back in one piece., with yet another list of places to go back and see. I’ve got one office day at home before I’m off to Portland for the American Society Of Echocardiography work conference over the weekend. Lots to learn. More adventures await. I sure appreciate you going along on the journey with me.

As always, thanks for reading.

Gypsy Jules