Wilson Price Hunt Trail (‘Astorians’) 1811 — 1812

Day 21: September 2nd, 2006 Idaho Falls — Pocatello/Chubbuck

I have breakfast again at Denny’s. The meal is good and plenty. Next I drive over to the next gas station and to Wal–Mart. There I fill up my supplies of water and apples and I also buy a new CD.

Idaho Falls River Walk, Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls River Walk, Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls River Walk, Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls River Walk, Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls River Walk, Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls River Walk, Idaho Falls, ID

Then I start my search for the falls. They are located directly at my motel and I have completely missed them yesterday. I have the chance for some real nice pictures before I depart.

West River Rd, Snake River, ID

West River Rd, Snake River, ID

Rose Rd, ID

The drive along the Snake River can be completed on my planned backroads.

River Rd, ID

River Rd, Snake River, ID

River Rd, Snake River, ID

River Rd, Snake River, ID

Cow on 900 South Rd, ID

Bower Rd, American Falls Reservoir, ID

Sterling North Rd, American Falls Reservoir, ID

Finally I arrive at the American Falls Reservoir. There I am also able to continue on some nice backroads.

American Falls Dam, ID

American Falls Dam, ID

American Falls Dam, ID

Snake River, American Falls Dam, ID

Highway 39, American Falls Dam, ID

At American Falls Dam I have the chance for some nice pictures of the water reservoir and the old dam house.

Then I continue my drive to Massacre Rock State Park. But this park has an entrance fee and because I am already late and I am running out of time, I decide to drive on backroads to Eagle Rock.

Snake River, ID

Snake River, ID

I also visit the “Monument”, which is again a pretty rough offroad trail. But there I get some fantastic shots of the Snake River and all the lava stones around.

Backroad, ID

Eagle Rock, Snake River, ID

Eagle Rock, Snake River, ID

Snake River, ID

Backroad, ID

Eagle Rock, Snake River, ID

Snake River, ID

The road to Eagle Rock is a real offroad trail and I wish to have my 4LO. But for now, I have to live with my regular 4WD. I meet a family at the river, while they are fishing. On my way back I meet a five–year old, who is allowed to drive daddy’s Wrangler.

American Falls Dam, ID

Then I drive back to the Interstate and to Pocatello/Chubbuck. Around a quarter to six I arrive at the local Motel 6. In front of me are, believe it or not, 6(!) people. Eventually it is my turn. But they are not able to find my reservation. Anyways, they still have a free room. But this is still worrying me (all in all I have given them my credit card for late arrival reservation). Therefore I call again the Motel 6 hotline, just to be sure. After a longer discussion they are able to find my reservation — under the name Toetz instead of Goetz. After insisting again for a while, they are also willing to check my reservation for tomorrow. And again, there is also the wrong name in the reservation. Lucky me that I really insisted…

Around 8pm I have eventually the time to write my first postcards. Then I leave for dinner. There is an Applebee’s around and because I am really hungry, I order the Crispy Chicken Bowl. Also this time the portion is huge and I am not able to eat all of it. Around 10pm I pay and drive back to my motel.