A Lunar Landing

Abby and Isaac managed to add "Lunar Ranger" to their growing list of qualifications, badges and patches from various parks this morning. We visited Craters of the Moon National Monument yesterday after arriving in nearby Arco, ID - first city in the U.S. to be lit with nuclear power (aka "atomic power"). As we approached the park entrance, it was almost like we were landing on another planet - the volcanic rock covering the ground made it look as if we were on Mars... It was stark and desolate, yet there are signs of life everywhere - tiny flowers, witches broom and pine trees grow in the volcanic cinder and rock.

Although the monument and surrounding wilderness preserve cover an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, the developed area set aside to explore is relatively small. We drove the loop rode and checked out the various short trails and formations along the way. At the last stop, there are trails to lava tube caves that you can explore - good thing the owners of the campground told us to bring our flashlights with us... I tentatively made my way down into the first one (which had a rather large opening), but had no desire to go much past the entrance. The kids on the other hand couldn't get enough. Matt followed them down and wandered around three different caves with them while I checked out the rock and flowers on the surface. In the last one, Beauty Cave, Isaac found a smaller exit hole that he could fit through and relished in finding his own way out - squeezing through the small hole. Upon emerging, he declared that he wanted to explore caves full-time when he gets older. Not wanting to squelch his enthusiasm, Matt did feel the need to have the real-life discussion on the difference between a career and a hobby.

It was the most unusual place we have visited on the trip thus far (and maybe ever), but I'm so glad that we made the effort to visit Craters of the Moon. It's amazing to see the life that can grow and live in such a desolate area - to wonder what the first settlers must have thought when they came across this area in their wagons, and to think about volanic eruptions happening in this area not all that long ago in geologic time. If you are ever in southern Idaho, I highly recommend taking the time to stop by.

And we did manage to finally get some amazing views of the Grand Tetons on the way out of the park yesterday morning. The sun was out and the skies were blue, allowing us to gaze at the majesty of the mountains all the way into Jackson. In Jackson, we were obliged to stop at the downtown square to show the kids the antler arches - if only briefly - before moving on. Today - it's onward to Oregon - driving through Idaho farm country with the mountains in the distance on both sides of us...

 

Tracy