Windy, Snowy, Cold Spring Work Period -- April 6, 7, 8, 2010
During Spring Break I am usually working with my boss and staff from my office. This year Missy Small, who is the Interior Appropriations staff in our office traveled with me to some Interior funded sites. The weather was, quite frankly, miserable. We took pictures of some of the places we visited.
This is Missy at the Minidoka Interment Camp National Monument. The wind was blowing about 45 mph with a windchill of upper teens. If you are driving past Twin Falls this is a worthwhile stop, about 15 miles South off the main Twin Falls exit. It is a sad part of Americas history and you realize it as you stand in this spot and read about those that were there. It is also inspiring as you learn how they adapted to their surroundings making the best of their situation. It was so cold and windy we were really humbled as we read the descriptions of the camp. This was where I dropped my camera and the phantom black spot appears on my lens in the rest of the pictures.
Same day -- Craters of the Moon National Monument. They were recovering from a blizzard from the day before.Quite the contrast of black and white.
City of Rocks National Monument was the day trip the following day. The temperature was rising, snow melted, beautiful fun day. Take the Albion exit off I-86. Great drive and very nice Back Country Byway road.... it was not and easy job to get that Byway funded and completed... you can thank the perseverance of Missy Small when you drive that nice smooth Back Country Byway..
Some great "Old West" characters to learn about. City of Rocks is more than an international climbing destination. It is a the crossroads of the California Trail and Oregon Trail, ruts still visible and marked. There are some of the granite rocks where you can see the names and year of the families that passed through. It is a great camping location with lots of rocks for kids to climb on. You don't have to be a serious climber to enjoy City of Rocks.... Very nice campsites as well.
This picture isn't that great but if you look close you can see the year 1825 and others.
These were the highlights of our visits -- at least the places we remembered to take pictures of.
