Day Fourteen -- ID

We chose to stay in Idaho Falls because it was the first city in Idaho near the border of the Grand Teton Park. It was to our surprise that we found a hotel right across the street from the Idaho Falls.

Idaho Falls.

Then, there was Arco. A small town that is known in history as the first to be lit by nuclear power.

Arco, Idaho

With our sights set on getting to Ketchum, Idaho -- Hemingway's old stomping ground -- and the fact that there's only mostly farms along the way, we only made stops for pictures and lunch. The first was at the Craters of the Moon National Park where the black rocks stand out among the greener landscape. This was the site of much volcanic activity millions of years ago. It was a fairly clear day so we were able to stay the lone mountain in the distance which -- according to the signs -- is sometimes not visible due to air pollution/smog.

Near Craters of the Moon.

The first thing that one thinks about when in Idaho is potatoes! Since we were not sure what a potato plant looked like, we took this picture to confirm later. Turns out it was!

A potato field in Idaho.

After lunch (and milkshakes to-go) in Carey, we were back on the road to Ketchum. We drove through a few small towns in the Sun Valley area. In the winter, most of these towns are packed with skiers and snowboarders. In the summer, this region is a good place for biking, hiking and rafting. Our first stop in Ketchum was the Vistor's Center to find out what sites where important for the Hemingway enthusiast. Our first stop was Hemingway's grave in Ketchum Cemetary. Here, Hemingway was buried along with his fourth wife and one of his sons, Jack.

Hemingway's grave

Sun Valley was a resort town founded by a man who made his wealth from Union-Pacific railroad ventures. He wanted to create a ski lodge that would rival all the ones in Europe. In the 1930's, celebrities would come to lavish in stardom. Some of the celebrities included Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe and Ernest Hemingway. It was here, in Room 206, that he wrote, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Later, he decided to live and die here. The house where he committed suicide is not open to the public.

Sun Valley Lodge

Room 206 at the Lodge

The restaurant he ate at the night before he committed suicide.

On the drive to south Idaho, Jessica decorated the dashboard with her collection of thimbles and smushed pennies.

Jessica's thimble and smushed penny collection.

Next stop on our trip was Twin Falls, Idaho. This was going to be our last stop for the night. There were beautiful waterfalls in town caused by the Snake River.

Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho.


Snake River Canyon.

Jessica and Orit at Shoshone Falls.

Drawing of a Yellow-bellied marmot seen leaving Shoshone Falls.