Driving out of Hailey, plumes of smoke fill the sky. There are several brush fires in the Boise and Challis National Forest areas, caused by lightning strikes overnight. Goodale’s Cutoff is a small wetlands area backed by several layers of pastel colored rolling hills. We stop to take pictures and learn that this was a cutoff from the Oregon Trail that Idaho pioneers used in 1862 to avoid being attacked by native americans along the Snake River. Due to a late spring season, the flowers are in bloom and water is everywhere. Within an hour though, heavy smoke fills the skies.
The next stop is Craters of the Moon National Monument formed by volcanic activity between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago along the Great Rift, an area 52 miles long which runs througthe Snake River Valley. The lava field grew to over 618 square miles. It appears that desert flowers have just finished their bloom. What a spectacle it must have been with carpets of blooms a month ago.We take the 7 mile loop and stop for a short hike up the side of the inferno cinder cone leading to a 360 degree view of the area.
We travel northeast and the drive through Idaho is hot with temperatures in the 90’s. Several brush fires continue to create smoky conditions and brown skies. The landscape consists of acres and acres of flat land and sagebrush surrounded by mountains which in places resembles a water color painting. Off in the distance, bands of dark clouds stream down rain.
We stop for groceries in Idaho Falls, the last major city before reaching the Slide Inn, our base for the next 4 days. Ray comments that we have too much food.
Another couple of hours and we cross the Montana border. Here is the famous Madison River, where it seems all fly fisherman aspire to be. I have heard so much talk about it that it is a thrill to be here. We are told it has rained every afternoon for this past week. The cool breeze is a welcome respite from the heat.
Kelly, a very friendly guy, owns the Slide Inn and I am impressed with the well appointed log cabins. We settle in, have dinner and off we go to the river.
It is my first attempt at wading! The evening is beautiful although we see bolts of lightning in the distance, which I haven’t experienced in decades. I almost hook a fish and have fun trying. After sunset, the clouds darken and we make it back to the car just as the skies open to a nice rain.
