We visited the Experimental Breeder Reactor museum, which was closed for the winter. The reactors developed to power a nuclear bomber were outside on display, as well as the lead hulled train engine required to move them. The bomber was never built.
Still in Idaho, on the Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway we stopped at the Craters of the Moon National Monument (park to us). Instead of this massive lava field originating from a volcano, the lava issued from a series of deep fissures known as the Great Rift. The most recent event was 2,000 years ago and scientists believe that future events are likely.
It was fascinating and other-worldly. The park rangers gave us good advice about what we could see in a limited visit and we enjoyed the well made walks through an almost deserted park. It would be very hot in summer as heat radiates from black earth.
We walked up a short but steep path to the Inferno Cone, standing at 6,181 feet above sea level (park entrance is around 5,800 feet).
The drive into Boise, Idaho, was through treeless green foothills, blanketed in wildflowers, with snow capped peaks rising behind on all horizons. We saw old pioneer houses - still standing after a hundred and fifty years. Quiet roads - US20 to Mountain Home, an airforce base and home to a large percentage of Americas UFO sightings.
Boise was a cool town. We had a lovely dinner and then met some locals at a bar and chatted about holidays, national parks and politics!
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