Craters & Taters
Lava Tubes and Tubers
I start the day with a thought that I am heading into bear country and should probably acquire some pepper spray. I did some research yesterday regarding things I can do without needing bear spray and, as expected, the advice was to stay very much to the tourist areas or boat trips. What surprised me was the suggestion that even for short and popular trails, bear spray is advised.
I have a week and a half left and all of it in prime bear territory. I should probably take action.
I’m not sure if there are any sporting goods stores near by, but I had spotted a Walmart and had seen somewhere that they sell it. Not so much. They had any number of lethal devices in there - rifles, shotguns, bows, but nothing to act as a non lethal deterrent. Not to worry, I’m sure it will become steadily easier to source as I get towards the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.
I hit the road, first stop Craters of the Moon National Monument. What’s the difference between a National Park and a National Monument? I’m glad you asked. I actually had to look this up as it confused me that they both seemed to be run by the national parks service and the pass worked for both.
So there you have it. Clear?
Driving across Idaho, I can’t help but think “Nice but Dull” - green and flat, albeit with mountains in the distance - but then everything suddenly turns black and we are into the lava fields…
Apart from having the best name, Craters of the Moon National Monument (obviously specific point of interest lots of volcanic shiz) is chuffin’ cool. Ok, I’m biased as , as has been previously made clear, I likes a volcanic landscape. Still, you can judge for yourself.
Chatting to some Americans, I am asked for the third time on this trip whether I am from Australia or New Zealand. This takes second place to the two times I have been asked if I was German. I really need to work on my generic British accent!
The last section of the Craters is a full of lava tubes (which pleases me no end as I mis-planned last year and couldn’t get into a lava tube area in Oregon). Here there are lots of examples, most semi collapsed and you can go into them too.
That is, you can go in if you passed the ranger test as you came into the park. I was quizzed about whether I had ever been in a cave before . Obviously yes, but she didn’t ask where. Was I wearing any of the clothing that I had worn in another cave? Hard to say. Obviously I answered no as I could see where this was going, but did change my shoes afterwards as I’m pretty sure that the ones I was wearing had been into some caves in Cheddar Gorge. It’s not clear if the “white nose fungus” which concerned them (it is harmful to bats) is a worldwide phenomenon, but no harm in being careful! Apparently this fungus is very hard to get rid of (washing doesn’t hack it) and it can stay on clothes for decades. Ew.
Moving on from the Craters, I am heading toward the Idaho Potato Museum. Don’t judge. When in Idaho and all that. The state is very proud of its tuberous treats.
To say that the museum is interesting might be a stretch (although it has a certain charm) and they are very welcoming. On hearing my accent ( they expressed no opinion as to where I was from) they gifted me some “Taters for out of Staters”.
The museum does contain the world’s largest crisp. Unlike the suspect biggest pistachio in the world visited earlier in the trip, this counts as it is an actual crisp, presumably (at least at one point) edible, and verified by the Guinness Book of Records, so clearly beyond question!
It also has the world’s Idaho’s largest ever potato, although in this case, it is not the real deal, but a bronze cast (such was he level of pride) of said spud. Big, but a little disappointing I can’t help but feel.
They also have a potato signed by Dan Quayle. Don’t ask, its not clear!
Anyway, a few snippets for you:
Idaho harvests about 13 billion pounds of potatoes a year
The average American eats about 110 lbs of potatoes a year
62% of that is used in processed products
And I have no words for this
Now of course it would be rude to visit and not sample the goods. I head to the café for a baked potato. I’m asked about toppings and she mentions that the topping of the day is broccoli cheese. My body has a visceral reaction to this after a few weeks of junk food and pub grub, craving something green. The choice is made. Not so much with the green, but there are a few specs mixed in with the cheese.
I can confirm that this was a very tasty potato. I am not enough of a potato connoisseur to pass judgement on its overall standing in the potato pantheon. What I do realise is, that with 30 or so miles to drive to my hotel in Idaho falls, I had better set off before I drop into a carb induced diabetic coma.
So, Idaho Falls. Seems very pleasant. My hotel looks out over the river ( still on the Snake River) and there seems to be a nice path along the bank. I head out for an evening stroll (and to loosen up the several pounds of potato and cheese that I have ingested). It is remarkably pleasant: river, waterfalls and then a Japanese friendship park. I sit here for a bit to chill out.
I then decide to take chilling to the next level by heading to the Idaho Brewing Company and sampling some of their wares.
.. before crossing over the river again and walking back to the hotel via the clearly popular rock garden. All very conducive to a relaxed walk, so long as being buzzed by cyclists, scooters, skateboards and roller skaters does not impinge upon yours state of serenity.
Oh yes, and the Mormons are here too!
Lord alive! The size of that temple!
We did the Craters of the moon, but not the potato museum, I'm jealous! Not sure if it was the Shoshone or Idaho falls, but they turned it off when we visited in the drout of '94! :-)