1. Between mile marker 101 and 102 on I-15 south. The reason we stopped here was so Sadie could do her business, not knowing there was this interesting geologic formation at the rest area!
But what we discovered was lava field called Hell's Half Acre. This is a basaltic lava field on the Snake River Plain of Idaho and a small portion of it is accessible from this rest stop. There are paved trails and interpretive signs along both trails found here.
This lava is not from a volcanic eruption, but rather from a red hot river of lava that oozed from deep cracks in the earth here about 4,100 years ago. The lava covered 125+ square miles and is over a mile thick in some areas. Vegetation has started to take hold on the lava as soil has been blown over it.
Can you see the gnarled tree in the center of the photo? It is estimated to be 400 years old.
John wanted to climb inside this large cave....but I finally convinced him that it was not a good idea. There rattlesnakes all over here!
These hardy Utah junipers were abundant in the area as well as the sweet-smelling sage bushes.
Amazing! So glad we happened to stop here en route to Heber City, UT.
2. Stop 2 at mile marker 25, near Devil's Creek. The contrast here to the previous stop was so striking that I snapped a couple of photos. There were several trails, numerous picnic tables nestled in the woods, and a large pet area. Lovely stream as seen from bridge.
Stop 3: Upon entering Utah, we stopped at the Visitor Center and got lots of information about the area where we will be staying for a week. I always loved getting maps of this part of the country (or maps of anything, actually!)
Today we continue our drive to Heber City, UT, that is about 100 miles from where we spent the night. We will be doing some shopping for provisions for the next week or so and then on our way. Check in at the Mountain Valley RV Resort is not until 2 pm today.
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