Chapter 7
Our Western Home - Idaho
Chapter 7
We really don't have another home in Idaho. Our RV is our home away from home.
We do have good friends in Idaho, though, so we spend a lot of time there.
Camping with the Neundorfs
It was in Idaho that I needed to have the
tires replaced on the RV. When we left Florida we thought the tires would be good
for another 20,000 miles. The hot sun, however, cracked the tires and we didn't want
to risk driving in areas that didn't have many service centers. We kept two of the
best tires for spares, mounting one on the roof and kept one in the spare tire rack.
We discovered later, the tire on the roof was damaged by the rope that was used to tie it
down. We now use tire covers in the Florida sun when standing at home. One cause of
flat tires in RV's is valve stem breakage from rocks on the road. The rocks also get
wedged in between the tires and can puncture the tires and damage one or both. It's
a good idea to check your tires after you have traveled on dirt or gravel roads. A
small crowbar is a handy tool to use to pry the rocks out with. Other travelers have
pointed out to us rocks that became wedged in our double wheels and we do the same for
others. Rocks and gravel can also break glass and windshields. In the
remote areas of the northwest some RVrs cover their headlights and windshields with wire
mesh when they travel on unimproved roads frequently. The only stone damage that we
have ever had was a windshield star. Even after thousands of miles to Alaska and
back without any stone damage, we sustained this damage from a sports car, in Yosemite
Park, California, who cut in front too close on a gravel road, throwing up stones.
Many National Forests allow off the
road camping, meaning you just pull off the road and into the woods and dry camp.
Tigger loves to get out into the woods in those areas and you usually don't have any
neighbors. You must abide by the rules set by the local rangers and leave the area
as you found it. This means no trash and no dumping of tanks. Rangers will be
glad to direct you to the nearest dump station. A full water tank is a must when you
dry camp. Water savers that screw onto faucets keep water waste low. These are
little valves with plastic sticks that must be pushed aside to allow the flow of
water. They keep water from running continuously. You can save up to 65% of
your water and spend longer periods dry camping when using them.
Insect repellent is
another must when you are spending time in the woods. I'm reminded of the story of
the hunter who returned empty handed and complained that the mosquitoes were so thick that
every time he shot his gun they deflected the bullet. Your dog will not like getting
sprayed with repellent, but a good flea and tick spray should be used. We have
never been too bothered by insects, but we have retreated to the campsite a few times
because they became annoying. Smoke from a campfire or commercial insect smoke rings
will help keep them away from your campsite.
We use a mixture of ½ Skin So Soft and ½ water
Just west of the
Montana border in eastern Idaho, in the Clearwater National Forest is Jerry Johnson
Campground. It is located on Route 12 just west of the border. This wonderful,
wild mountain woodlands more than made up for the lack of hookups and services. It
is a very primitive campground. We picked up some deadwood and enjoyed a nice
campfire. Tigger was able to roam about on his own, returning to us whenever we
called. We never let him out of our sight for more than a minute or two. Generally
speaking, dry camping is comfortable for several days before it becomes necessary to go to
the nearest dump station and refill your water tank. Always be sure the fresh water
supply is labeled "potable" water and ask a park attendant if the water is
drinkable. Some water is only for washing and cleaning and should be labeled
accordingly. When we left Jerry Johnson Campground we stopped at the Wilderness
Campground to use the facilities there. It is located west of Jerry Johnson on Route
12.
The Campground has
three loops of campsites. When we arrived, one whole loop was reserved for Haley's
Jam Session. They are a group of musicians who camp-out and play music about the
same time every year. We arrived during the third week in August. They play
every Thursday through Sunday from about 1pm to 6pm and from 7pm to 11pm. The
musicians don't get paid and the music and dancing is free. Most folks just come to
have a good time and play music. The music festival is not advertised anywhere
except in music trade magazines and is not intended for the general public.
Although we were going to just use the facilities we decided to stay for the
night.
On US 95 in Nampa there
is a campground called Mason Creek Campground. Tigger enjoyed running in the high
grass and watching the sheep behind their fences. The farms bordered the campsites.
If you like scenic drives, take US 84 east and follow US 30 past Gooding. As
you head toward Twin Falls the points of interest are clearly marked. There are
plenty of hot springs, volcanic rocks, canyons, bluffs, and varied topography ideal for
picture taking.
On one of our
drives we stopped at a primitive campground that had several fireplaces. It was in
open country and the base of a hill that had cattle grazing on it. We thought it
might be fun to camp on the open range and leveled next to a fireplace. No one else
was there so we let Tigger loose to run and play. We set up our fireplace and
collected some wood. Just before sunset, as we were starting to fire the coals a
Cadillac towing a low bed trailer pulled into the campground. It was towing another
Cadillac. A man got out, looked at us without saying anything, and began to unload
the Cadillac that was being towed from the trailer. Tigger barked and I kept him
"on guard." He kept looking at us as he pulled the Cadillac next to the
other, forgetting to use the parking brake with one and having to chase it down the hill.
I decided to load my shotgun and keep it ready. The man looked
rough, but most cowboys and ranchers are rough cut, but nice people. The man started
opening the trunks of both cars and running back and forth from one to the other,
tinkering with the license plates. We decided that this was not going to be a
comfortable place to spend the night. I felt we would be safe enough, with the dog
and the shotgun, but I didn't want to sleep with one eye open. We packed up camp and
headed out. Whatever he was doing was none of our business, but when a strange
camper in a desolate area doesn't even say "Howdy", it's best to err on the side
of caution. There are plenty of other campgrounds on the road. When we did
find a spot we gave Tigger an extra piece of steak for dinner, having real appreciation
for having a 90lb dog as a traveling companion.
This was
probably the only time I loaded (and unloaded) the shotgun. There is a lot of
controversy about firearms these days. I do like hunting when the opportunity
presents itself. A shotgun may be transported unloaded in most states and in Canada,
with the ammunition stored separately. In any event, as I've said before, "I
would much rather be tried by 12 of my peers than be carried out by 6."
We found a full-service
Campground past Twin Falls, one exit east of US 93 and I-84. It was called Anderson
Best Holiday Travel Park and turned out to be a real good choice. It is located next
to Anderson RV Service Center and when I went to hookup I noticed that my white water
release valve was broken and the pipe was cracked. The next morning we went to the service
center. They were tied up with back order work for a week, but they loaned me a
hacksaw, sold me some parts and I made the repair myself. Total cost was $4.69 and 2
hours worth of work. The folks there were very helpful and I didn't mind a little
elbow grease.
Canyon Twin Falls
There are a lot
of surprises encountered on the road and a lot of wonderful people. There are different
people and lifestyles that you may not want to emulate, but who are still interesting to
know. On one occasion we sought out the Nez Perce Indians (pronounced "ni mi
po"). The name is a fallacy of information sent back to calligraphers by the
French traders who described the Indians as "nez perce" or "pierced
noses". The name just stuck on the maps.
When Route 12 runs into
Idaho 162 you are in the reservation area in Nez Perce National Forest. You will
encounter very high mountains with high meadows and high country roads to be driven with
caution. Their area is heavily forested and above the cleared tree line are plowed
areas and farmland. There are also lots of horses and ranches. We came here
because we had adopted some wolves to be sent from a conservatory in Minnesota. They
were to be released in Idaho from a private ranch near Sun Valley. Unfortunately, a
good majority of the local ranchers objected to the release and were able to get an
injunction issued to keep the wolves from being released. The Nez Perce Indians
offered to let "brother wolf live on their land and the wolves were sent to
Winchester, Idaho. In Indian country the politicians don't have much clout.
You will find a lot of history in the area such as Chief Joseph's heroic effort to avoid
capture.
Chief Joseph," Hanmation Yalatkit",
Nez Perce Chief (c. 1832-1904)
Winchester Lake
State Park is located near Winchester and is a good base to explore the area. We
visited the Nez Perce Indian Tribal Center and learned more about the Wolf Conservatory
and plans for a Native American Cultural Exhibit. We have a great deal of respect
for the hearts of the Nez Perce Indians in the way they preserve the natural life of the
wilderness. The complexities of modern life and conveniences of artificial law too
often obliterate the truth of nature for personal profit. The Nez Perce are truly
people who believe that we belong to the earth and the earth does not belong to us.
Their efforts in preservation of endangered species and the establishment of their
Information Center and awareness programs are in itself as heroic as Chief Joseph's march.
Winchester Lake
Continuing south after
our visits with the Nez Perce we wound up in Lucile, Idaho just above Riggins, at the
Prospector's Gold RV Park. This park is located at milepost 204 on US 95. They
have electrical and water hookups. A dump station is located about 10 miles south at
a rest area on US 95. The campground overlooks Salmon River and has nice, grassy
fields for Tigger to play in. The river is full of steelhead trout and the bluff
that the campground overlooks seems so close to the sky that you can almost touch the
stars at night. You can prospect for gold in the river or cross the suspension
bridge to walk in the mountains.
The state parks and
national forests in Idaho have campgrounds that are well cared for with level sites.
Most have electric and water with a dump station on site or close by.
Massacre Rock State Park is located at US 30 and Interstate 86, about 30 miles southwest
of Pocatello. There are electric and water hookups and a dump station on the way
out. The sites have plenty of space in between them and most have grills and
fireplaces. The campground has an overlook to Snake River and is shared by a number
of birds including black and white pelicans. Our favorite site is #43 on the lower
level. It is located on a nice hill and protected by trees. Nearby you can walk out
to the visible "ruts" of the Oregon Trail. There are also plenty of
areas to run your dog. Rock hounds will enjoy the abundance of obsidian in the area.
The hard black rock chips off in nice shiny black pieces for arrow points.
Our campground in new RV
White Pelicans
Oregon Trail ruts 3 mi. from camp
Henry's Lake
State Park was our next stop and is located on US 20 about 12 miles south of West
Yellowstone just north of Mack's Inn. We arrived in the second week of June and the
May flies were very annoying. May flies don't bite, but they are so thick at times
you won't want to open your mouth. The park has a high mountain lake that is loved
by fishermen. There are boat ramps and docks. The campsites have full hookups
and there is a dump station on the way out. The best place to walk Tigger was on the
road leading into the park by the cow pastures. The area is not heavily wooded and
is nice for playing Frisbee or ball. While we were at Henry's Lake the weather
turned very cold. I turned on the furnace and thought I had blown a fuse since it
ran for a minute or two and then shut off. The circuit breakers were
fine, so I decided to take Tigger for a walk first and fix the problem when I returned.
As I headed up the hill I saw nearby campers asking each other if they had
electricity. It had never dawned on me that the park had a power outage at the same
time I turned on my heater. Sometimes we look for problems that just aren't there.
Campground at Henry's Lake
Trout caught at Henry's Lake
View you don't see often of "the
back" of the Grand Tetons on way to Henry's Lake
Taking a vacation is
important to us and while we are traveling we always attend church, as we wouldn't want
God to take a vacation from us. Most campgrounds have a listing of churches in the
area along with their schedules posted. In remote areas you should begin looking for
a church when you arrive since the priest may service three or four churches over a few
hundred miles. Often there is only one service each weekend and it can be on either
Saturday or Sunday. We also found that priests from different religions use the same
chapel for their services.
We take a lot of
pictures when we travel and we usually like to have the film developed as we go.
We found that the larger cities and tourist areas such as West Yellowstone
have one-hour photograph developing outlets that are expensive. We send our film
home to our son and daughter to develop for us. They enjoy keeping up with our
travels and the cost is significantly less. We also enjoy having the pictures ready
when we get home so we can reminisce about our trip. Many of the experiences you
have can't be caught on pictures. On one trip another RV was passing me at a rather
high speed and as he passed, a big elk came out of the woods and onto the road looking
straight at us. The elk had 6 or more points on each side, and ran back into the
woods just a split second before the other RV reached him. Memories like these are
deeply imprinted in the mind. Every time a big rig goes roaring by us on wooded
mountain roads I can see that elk standing there as big and vivid as the day it happened.
Past Pocatello we
headed east into Caribou National Forest with some friends. While dry camping we let
both dogs run loose and tied them up when someone approached. They had a great time
playing and since our friend's dog was familiar with the campsites we visited, we knew
Tigger wouldn't get lost. We enjoyed several lazy days of fishing, hiking, and just
sitting around reading books. We noticed that Tigger had developed a habit of going
to the door at night when he wanted to go to bed and we were all outside. He started
doing the same thing in the afternoon, except that he could open the screen door himself
by poking his nose at the door catch and rattling it until it opened. We just
couldn't figure out how to teach him to close the door behind him.
Our CG with
friends
Posing by favorite "Quakies" Overview of CG Caribou Natl. Forest
Near Washington
State, on I-90 at about the third exit, east of Coeur d'Alene at Cataldo stands the oldest
building in the state of Idaho. It is a church built by Indians and The Jesuit
Missionary. The Old Mission at Cataldo was built in 1853 and we stopped at the park
there to see it. We asked the ranger to direct us to a campground since we wanted to
go to mass at the mission the next day. The ranger pointed up the hill where we saw
tepees, tents, and RV's. The ranger told us that the Indians of Coeur d'Alene would
be at the mission the next day and one more camper wouldn't make a difference. He
asked us to pull up to a picnic table next to the parking area and stay there. My
wife and Tigger had a great time walking with the Indians and playing with their children.
It seems that every year, on the Feast of the Assumption of The Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Indians of Coeur d'Alene come from all over the western United States to
Cataldo for a procession and High Mass celebrated in full Indian dress. The festival
happens on August 15th each year. It is a beautiful ceremony and a very moving
experience. During the recitation, of the Our Father by one of the elder Indian
chiefs, four Indian maidens signed, in hand language, the Our Father. The Indians
also danced to ceremonial drums the dance of Indian braves in a gift of homage to The
Great Spirit. We camped with the Indians and shared refreshments and our campfire.
It was an honor to be invited to their barbecue and celebration after the mass.
One of the Indian ladies saw our Panama Canal license plate and it turned out
that she was born at the same hospital as my wife was in The Canal Zone in Panama.
Her father was stationed with the military there. Our stay at Coeur d'Alene has to
be the best of the many nice surprises we have had on our travels. I don't think
there are many places in the world where you meet strangers you have nothing in common
with and leave as friends with wonderful memories of each other. Cataldo is not a
campground. It is a historical monument. Camping is only allowed there on the
evening of August 14th after 6pm. You must get permission from the park managers to
camp and stay the next day for the ceremony. If you need to get fresh water and dump
tanks after you leave Cataldo head west on I-90 to exit 11, in Coeur d'Alene. There
is a service station there that has a dump station and they will provide you with fresh
water.
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Coeur d'Alene itself has a nice waterfront walk for tourists and after looking around we
decided to stay at Beauty Creek Campground. Beauty Creek is located off exit 22 on
I-90, 3 miles west on ID 97 and 1 mile SE on Forest Rd. 438. The campground is
located next to a small mountain, which looks out over Coeur d'Alene. There is a
nice hiking trail and the campsites are secluded and comfortable. Nearby, Beauty
Creek has silver and gold mining areas open to tourists. We ate breakfast at
The Snake Pit, a restaurant in Enaville, which once was a bordello in the old mining
days. It still has a cow's skull mounted high over the entrance with a red light in
its eye socket. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. This area,
including the roads, is kept as they were in the 1800's. Tigger enjoyed walking
around the old towns as much as he loved running in the woods. Most of the folks in
these old towns prefer animals to people anyway, so he was able to walk around under voice
command. As a local put it, "the dogs are better behaved than the tourists for
the most part."
Snake Pit Bordello...
We tend to spend more time in the less developed areas hoping to see more wildlife.
We drove north along US 2 near Sandpoint and then took SR 57 to Priest Lake. From
there we turned east at Nordman and traveled about 8 miles to Reader Bay Campground.
Reader Bay is run by the National Forest Service and has a high "Tigger"
rating. There are no hookups. Most of the campsites overlook the lake and are
nicely wooded. There is a beach on the lake where pets are not welcome, but they are
allowed to run in and out of the water in other areas around the lake. The
campground also has scenic trail walks around the lake and in the woods. This area
of the state calls for a lot of dry camping so we had to conserve water. There is
water and a dump station just south of Bonner's Ferry at the county fairgrounds.
There is also a Chevron Station on US 95 in Bonner's Ferry that will provide you with the
same services for a fee.
Our last place to tell
you about in Idaho is Robinson Lake Campground. Robinson Lake Campground is near the
Canadian border on US 95 near Eastport. This is another great area for Tigger with
lots of woods for him to walk in. Again, there are no hookups and you must dry camp.
Robinson Lake is a great fishing spot and there is a nice meadow about two miles
away that is a good spot for a picnic. From here, Canada is just a few miles away
and our next stop.
Happy Trails To You
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