After a breakfast of complementary waffles at the camp, we set off for Craters of the Moon. I had no idea that it would be as extraordinary as it was. I've hiked lava flow in Russia, and I spent five summers hiking the Katmai volcano ash fall on the Alaskan peninsula in the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, but his truly was extraordinary. But what was most extraordinary was the way that the people who designed the public access carried out their job. It was a pleasure to see what they have done.
You do not need for me to explain what Craters of the Moon is because you can get better information on Google. Truth is, I had no knowledge about this monument until someone mentioned it to be the week before I left, and since it was so close to Yellowstone, I decided to swing by, unless I was heading north. What a treat it was to visit here. And what a treat it was for Donner to leap out of the Defender every 15 minutes for another treat to do smells that he never knew existed. Unfortunately, dogs were not allowed on the trails, but he could not have cared less.
Before entering the park itself, I did drive by the Lava Flow campground where we were supposed to stay last night. I could see why they closed the road. However I learned today that had I driven around the staff complex, I could've access to campground that way. While I certainly would've like to camp at that absolutely fantastic campground, the truth is I needed a respite from the first two weeks of the trip and this layover at this little cabin is doing that. I think I'm now re-energized for the next half of the trip, which is the journey home. But, after I saw some of those stunning campsites at the campground, I vowed to return to spend more time there.
Made it back to camp by 5, with chores completed, i planned tomorrow. Plans are to a 260-mile day trip to the Sawtooth mountains, especially Stanley Lake and Redfish Lake, and then return back to our cabin in Arco. Arco, by the way, is the first city in the world ever to be powered by atomic energy. However I can hardly call this place a city with a population of 849 people.
i'm beginning to finalize plans for where I go after tomorrow. Were in not for the cold weather coming and the good campgrounds closing, I probably would drag out this trip a little longer than I can afford to now. All good things must come to an end, and so must this trip. However,It is only half over.
Ed and Donner from Craters of the Moon National Monument.
