But before the travel log continues, let me reflect on Halloween in West Yellowstone - what Halloween -it didn't eventuate. With 80% of the town closed for winter -there was no body on the streets, well apart from confused tourists looking for somewhere to eat. The only people or children I saw in costum were 2 kids and the check out girl at the local supermarket. I was quite looking forward to seeing all the glitz and glamour, but, to no avail.
As we left West Yellowstone the temperature was hovering around freezing point. For the next 45 minutes we drove through conifer forests (can't recall the name of the trees). Around Idaho Falls we hit open grassland and the temperature settled around 7 degrees C. Dry roads, so driving was easy.
At Idaho Falls we hit the first of 3 interstates we will use today. At the intersection there was major road works in progress, hence, we missed the ramp...thank goodness for GPS, it re-routed us no problems. So, we didn't become lost and confused in Idaho Falls.
A little way down the interstate we stopped at a rest area-of geologic significance- pahoehoe lave (that is ropy lava). Went for a walk through it, saw a couple of collapsed lava tubes.
Arrived at Twin Falls around 2.30 in the afternoon. We left the interstate at the Hansen/Kimberely exit and went looking for the Coiner Ranch (I had met Tim in Argentina in 1976, and had stayed and did odd jobs at his father ranch around August/September that year). What was a two lane highway is now a 4 lane highway, what was once open farmland is housing and commercial buildings. Couldn't recognise the Coiner homestead or Tim's house. How time marches on, must remember that was a lifetime ago.
Stopped in Historic downtown Twin Falls-what was once bustling with people and businesses was deserted and little to see. did find a good coffee shop with interesting bench counters (all 1 cent coins set in a clear resin. I was reminded yet again my experiences were a lifetime ago.
Drove on to Buhl (our stop for the night). We had lived here for 3 or 4 months in 1980. Walked around. He only two things that were the same was the supermarket (which is very small and run down) and the bank (where we cashed our pay cheques). Walked over to where we thought our upstairs apartment was- nothing all pulled down. Walked past what was an apartment building (where Les the mort man lived), that is now a senior citizens centre. Why even the little coffee shop where the farmers met to spend time was gone. What has remained is the smell and the large grain silos surrounding the wee town. By smell I mean fish feed type of smell. This wee town is the centre of the commercial trout farming industry, all centred down in the Snake river canyon. They process the fish here in Buhl. We worked for Clear Springs Trout company down in the canyon. Really can't remember much else about Buhl as we got picked up every morning in the dark and were dropped back at our wee apartment in the dark. On weekends we worked down at the farm (we were young and travelling so need the money). We did spend time in Twin Falls (where there was a K Mart-long since gone).
On reflection, Twin Falls -about 6 miles away has possibly dealt to commercial enterprises in Buhl, and for Twin Falls, all the retail shops have migrated out to the Interstate, where all the accommodation is now located.
Buhl has one interesting fact. For such a small town it has 4 Mexican food restaurants (one so also a drive in outlet as well). We ate at Juanita's- great food, and very cheap. The owner gave me a bottle of Mexican sangria (on the house) when I told him how much I disliked coke from a tap. Sangria is soft drink in Mexico.
Our motel is definitely 1960/70 era. Rick our host has a uncanny resemblance to Smith (the guy who skipped NZ to Brazil, but now back in a NZ prison.
Sorry no photo's it was just 4+ hours of driving.
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