Winter Wonderland Travels, Wednesday, May 23, 2013

What a day!  We started out earlier than most days.  We were on the road by 7:30amPT but we knew that in a short time we would be changing from Pacific time zone to Mountain time causing us to loose an hour.  We drove south, in rain, on SR 96 for 50 miles and then at New Meadows we took SR 55, Payette River Scenic Byway.  About 10 miles on this route we came to a ski resort town of McCall and we then started seeing the rain change into snow flakes.  At first the snow was melting as it fell but as we continued the pine trees and ground along the road was getting snow covered.  It was snowing so hard at times that it was impossible to see the surrounding areas- we passed a lake that was completely obliterated by the snow.  Snow was not sticking to the roads.  We drove in snow for about 80 miles and I must admit it was a beautiful drive in a winter wonderland.  When we got below Banks, Idaho we were in rain and then soon the sun was shining.  At this point we were traveling along the Payette River which was very scenic with the fast moving white water.  We skirted around Boise and then took I-84 east to Twin Falls.  On I-84 the winds we strong but fortunately for us they were blowing toward the east.  Driving into Twin Falls we crossed a bridge over the Snake River Gorge.  After getting into Twin Falls 93 RV Park at 4pm MT, we  went out for dinner and a grocery store stop.  We then also stopped at an overlook for the Snake River Gorge which is also a result of the Bonneville Flood that occurred during the ice age.  And the weather here in Twin Falls is cold- temperatures are in the upper 40’s- we were in areas that had snow along the roads higher than we are tall that were warmer (60’s).  Unbelievable- hope tomorrow is warmer as we travel about this area.