Day 10

Day 10: 6/29/10

Start: Missoula, MT
End : Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID

Today's Miles: 299
Total miles: 2,236

Marriage status: Fair

Passed through: Bitterroot National Forest, Challis National Forest

Today's notes:

Today was a long and productive day. We took our time eating breakfast and packing up the bikes in Missoula. And we made a quick stop at the local REI to pick up some more stove fuel and a foldable camping sink. Then we continued to head south toward Idaho.

The drive was really great. We went through a couple of national forests. The roads were great, curvy with beautiful views. Most people don't usually think mountains when they think of Idaho, but there are many, and it was a great backdrop for the drive.

Then we arrived at Craters of the Moon National Park. If you are like Tomme and I you had never heard of this place before, but when we planned this trip we realized on the map we passed by it and we looked it up on the internet. It is actually really cool. It is an area of three major lava fields, spanning 700 square miles from eruptions as recent as 2,000 years ago. When you first get there it looks pretty barren and boring, but at sunset it is beautiful.

When we first got there we went straight to the campground and found our site. After quickly setting up the tent we took off to explore the lava fields. It was sunset when we went to explore, which was perfect because it was really hot during the day. We went down into lava tunnels and tubes, and with our head lamps went into a lava cave. It is a very strange, but fascinating place.

When we got back to the campground we went to a program the rangers were having at the campground amphitheater about the wildlife in the park. The ranger was a great speaker and we really enjoyed it. Then we headed back to our tent and made some quick mac and cheese for dinner. Before going to bed we tried to take some cool night pictures of the lava fields and our tent, but this sparked a sizable disagreement between Tomme and I because we were trying to tell each other how to take the photo and neither one of us are good at accepting help or advice from the other. But eventually this was resolved and we were able to go to bed.

Mediocre tip: When going into a cave bring a flashlight AND extra batteries.

Mediocre tip: Pictures look better when you take the lens cap off.

Mediocre tip: Explore hot places in the evening and early morning.


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