2011-08-31 Trip to Idaho - Part 1

Before our mission began officially, we received permission to visit some friends in Idaho.
On the trip up, we saw many grain elevators.  Some were like this one that belonged to our church.



These were impressive.



Even more impressive were the commercial grain operations.



This old water tower made an interesting photo.



It wasn't easy photographing off the top of Linda's head while she was driving when I got this shot of what must be the north end of the Great Salt Lake.  The "mountain" in the distance to the right would actually be the north end of Antelope Island.



In this desert country they use well and reservoir water to irrigate the fields.



All that grain is used to make some familiar products.  If you've ever seen the large plastic bags of "Malt-O-Meal" cereal in supermarkets, this is the factory.



We passed a dust storm.  We looked and looked for the cause of it but didn't see anything.



All the signs told us we were getting closer to Pocatello, ID as we approached the bend in the road that goes around the mountains.



Besides grain, they raise a lot of beef out here.



Welcome to Idaho, or "I-dee-ho" as some of our loved ones used to call it.



I forgot to mention that all those cattle need hay during the harsh, cold winters.



There were neat looking livestock pens.



We passed "Four Mile Road" ...



... and "Two Mile Road."



We drove past the exit to "Weston and Preston."



There were deep green fields from irrigation ...



... and fields that were plowed and dry.



Many of the farms alongside the Interstate were very old looking.



Another large reservoir.



This one was called "Devil Creek."



And it looked like the locals were having a good time along it's banks.



The altitude in southern Idaho isn't all that high up, only a little more than a mile (5,574 ft. at the summit).  But remember, we came from a place that was only 300 ft. above sea level, so this is pretty high up for us.



It was fascinating to me how the rocks at the roadside kept changing color, size, and shape.  These were gray and ragged looking.  Later the rocks began to look black.



The road looks like it could go on forever doesn't it?  Actually that's a distortion of the camera lens.  With a more wide angle lense, it would look much closer.  But the road did seem to go on quite a way.



But all this way.  Virginia?  I think not!  Whoever named this place must have been homesick.



Here are some of those 4-legged critters I mentioned earlier.



And here's another of those farms off the Interstate.



The blue sign says, "Interstate Oasis."  This being desert country, I suppose that's an appropriate name for a rest stop off an interstate exit.  We took a break at this point.  You can too and join us again for the rest of the trip by clicking the link below the picture.

 
~ Click HERE to go to Part 2 ~