Today we changed directions. We have been following the Transamerica Bicycle Trail, which is the trail we would have taken if we were riding our bikes. But since we are now planning to visit as many national parks and bicycle trails as we can, we don’t need to go north any more. So we are heading to Grand Teton National Park. Our plan also includes no long days of driving. So on our way to Grand Teton, we are stopping in Boise, and Idaho Falls.
We followed a couple rivers again today! First we drove beside the Little Salmon River. Then we picked up the Payette River. The Payette is fast and cold, and offers some of the best whitewater in the northwest. It was awe inspiring to drive next to it! Here are some pics.
As we were driving we saw a sign that made us turn around for a photo-op.
The sign says that at that point we were half-way between the Equator and the North Pole! Wouldn’t you want your picture taken there!?
We stopped about an hour into our drive and went for a hike at Crown Point Trailhead. This is another one of those trails that used to be railroad tracks, and have been changed into trails for people to walk, bike, or ride horses on. This one is at the southern edge of Lake Cascade. Lake Cascade is a large, man-made lake created by the Cascade Dam on the Payette River. It is about 21 miles long and 4.5 miles wide. It’s really beautiful. Here are some pictures of the lake and the trail we were on.
I love this little tree growing from a rock!
More snow capped mountains! These are named the West Mountains. I don’t know who named them. I think I would have named them something more inspiring! They are so beautiful! It’s that snow that melts and puts so much cold water into the Payette River. That alone should merit a better name than West!?
Tomorrow we drive to Idaho Falls!
TORREZ TRAVELS 
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