Day Trip Stop #1: Three Island Crossing

For Mother's Day this year, I asked Bob and the kids not to get me anything.  Instead, I asked that we take a day trip to see Shoshone Falls.  I haven't been since I was 18, Bob and the kids have never been, and the run off is near record levels.  We had to delay our trip due to Emma's stomach bug, but we were finally able to go this past weekend.  It was a perfect day.
Our first stop was Three Island Crossing.  Read more about it here.  Briefly, it was a location used on the Oregon Trail to (usually) cross the Snake River safely.  The fourth graders in Idaho spend the entire year learning about Idaho history.  Waaaaaay back when I was a kid, we did the same thing.  Twenty five years ago, when I was almost ten, is the last time I was here.  Back then, there was just a grassy area with a small concrete eating area.  They've redone the park, and it's beautiful.  There's a large overnight camping area, a gorgeous day area and 5-6 cabins, set under the trees, with air conditioning and wooden hanging porch swings.  I wish I had one in my backyard!

They also have a really nice interpretive center.  The kids enjoyed seeing the scenes depicting life for both those on the trail and the Native Americans that lived in the area.

I just have to say that I've very glad we no longer have to travel in one of these!



After touring the interpretive center, we had a picnic on the grass.
It was a beautiful day, and it was nice to be able to enjoy it!

After lunch, we did a bit of hiking.  The Snake River is very high right now, thanks to our very wet (and long) winter.  We saw lizards, cranes, and lots of fish jumping.

Emma hopped onto this rock, posed, and asked me to take a picture.  Little nut!

...and one with a smile.

This is my favorite picture from the entire day!
It's so sweet!

It was a bit hard to get a good picture of the islands, but there's one of them.