August 29, 2007

August 29, 2007

Fully rested, we continue our journey on I84 into Idaho following the Snake River. It is mostly dry except where irrigation has turned the area into lush farmland. The Snake River plain cuts a 300-mile smile-shaped swath across southern Idaho. This channel thru the Rocky Mountains was cut by a volcanic hotspot that has been slowly drifting across the North American continent. Right now it sits under Yellowstone National Park.

A half hour past Boise, we take a short detour off the highway and stop at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park. The park has a couple very tall sand dunes formed because of intersecting wind patterns. It is mostly a snoozer we should have bypassed; but I have some fun climbing up to the top of one of the smaller dunes and causing sand avalanches. The nerd in me was intrigued how the sand avalanche flowed like water down the steep hill.

After returning to the highway we travel to the town of Hagerman, ID and stay at a nice private park.