Last of the Summer Vacation -- Idaho

You'll have to read this from the bottom up to view the comments with the corresponding photos. I've numbered them from 1-9 to make it easier.






(9) At the end of the second day on the Snake and our sixth day rafting down rivers, we arrived at our destination, deflated the raft, loaded the car and trailer and headed back to Deary to the welcoming home of river rafting company owners Gail and Lonnie Hutson. We washed clothes and ourselves and the next day headed to Walla Walla (or as Wallinians call it, Walla2). On our way we stopped at the picturesque Kendrick, a really small town down the hill from Deary.




(8) On the fifth day the Salmon empties into the Snake River with its wide vistas and occasional tour boat.





(7) Each part of the river was unique, with some part wide and sweeping and others close canyons. The Blue Canyon was close and the rock shiny and rounded. Kelly told us that it is one of the deepest canyons and the visible rock some of the oldest (billions).




(6) First thing on our agenda each day was to locate the head, otherwise known as the "unit" in river guiding speak. Locating a private place with a fantastic view of the river was an easily achieved mission. Here, overlooking the river. Tom heading to another head high, and I mean high, above the river on a barely negotiable sandy path. Our sleeping bag sits against the rock face on that same high ledge. That night we had the most incredible view of the stars and a few bats flying overhead.





(5) For additional entertainment, Kelly brought an inflatable kayak which allowed exploration up and down stream that otherwise would have been impossible in the raft. Every night we had a drift wood fire. Pretty perfect.





(4) On day two, we stopped the boat to hike up to ancient pictographs.





(3) The remarkable thing about the Salmon River is its beautiful white sand beaches; perfect for camping. Every day we drifted down the river and navigated rapids (Kelly at the helm, of course) and each night we pulled up to another perfect, pristine beach to camp. The first and second nights we slept in our tent, but the next two nights we slept in our sleeping bag in the open. We swam in the cool, clear water (a refreshing 68-degrees) and did some exploring. Each morning, noon, and evening Kelly made the most spectacular meals. We ate very well thanks to her.





(2) Near Deary (ID)on the road from Lewiston, we captured this beautiful scene of Palouse wheat fields.



(1) We headed in our tricked-out truck to meet Kelly in Idaho for our river-raft trip down the Salmon River. The road to Deary, ID is dry, very dry. Unfortunately, I did something to our camera because almost all of the photos from our trip have a strange purple hue. In any case, here we stopped to see Palouse Falls (WA).