HELL, HEAVEN AND EDEN

SCENIC, STEEP AND SCARY - Sept. 16 - 17
We left the Idaho panhandle driving south along the Idaho/Washington border.  Coming down the steep mountain pass on Highway 95, we stopped at a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the Snake river winding it's way through Lewiston, ID.

This mountain pass is beautiful, although scary, with runaway truck ramps every few miles.

Runaway truck ramps on both sides of the highway.

Signs at runaway ramp inform truckers "No Fine For Using Ramp".

We stayed on Highway 95 driving along Hells Canyon which divides Oregon and Idaho.   The Snake River flows through Hells Canyon which is 10 miles wide and deeper than the Grand Canyon.  Again, the highway is twisty and the scenery breathtaking.

We arrived at Canyon Pines RV Resort in Pollock, ID and got a prime campsite on the bank of the Little Salmon River.

HEAVEN AND HELL
The next day we drove to Heavens Gate Vista, located in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.  The narrow paved road soon turned into a single lane gravel road switch-backing up the mountain.  We hiked the challenging trail to the fire ranger station on top of the mountain and had a visit with the ranger and his wife, and were treated to an expansive view of mountain peaks in 4 states; Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.

I'm on the top of the world!

Ranger Station at the top of the trail.

"You get paid to be here?"  "Yup, not a bad gig for a retired Fireman."

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCKING ON HEAVENS DOOR
There are very few places to pull over on this harrowing road when meeting another vehicle.  At times, the sheer cliff drop-offs made my stomach churn and forced me to close my eyes.  Coming around one blind curve we almost crashed head-on with a pick-up truck.  Jim put on the brakes, the Jeep's back end fish tailed, and I almost wet my pants.  The truck driver stopped a few inches from us, rolled down his window and  said "Howdy!  We Made it!  Are y'all having a good day?"

Should have worn some Depends.

EDEN AND THOUSAND SPRINGS - Sept. 18 & 19
We left Hells Canyon and drove southeast through Idaho.  Coming out of the mountains the scenery changed to high desert country and fertile fields where the famous Idaho potatoes come from.  The area is dry, but irrigation provides lush fields in the valley for produce, cattle and sheep.  We stayed in Eden, ID at Anderson Camp RV Park outside of Twin Falls.

"I found something to wear in Eden."

The Thousand Springs Scenic Byway follows the Oregon Trail.  Near Hagerman, ID we stopped to view springs cascading water from the side of the canyon into the river below.  The numerous springs are believed to be the reappearance of the Lost River, which sinks into lava fields 90 miles away.

Water cascading out of the side of the cliff.