Random Road Trip

On Friday, December 28th, we decided to hit the road for a little road trip exploration.  We brainstormed possible destinations within a three-hour drive from our house and, thanks to a recent blog post I had read and had stuck in my mind, we opted for the thriving metropolis of Twin Falls, ID.  Specifically, we wanted to check out Shoshone Falls, the Niagara of the West.  And so we loaded up the car and hit the road, equipped with some lunch and snacks, coats and boots, and a few good audiobooks to keep us company.  

We reached the falls and found the road down to the observation area was closed due to snow and ice (and it's really steep so it made a lot of sense).  We parked at the top outside the gate and walked down the road about a half mile in the 25 degree temps to get a better look at the falls.  Who knew such geology could be found in southern Idaho of all places?  We enjoyed the view for a few (cold) minutes then headed back up the hill to our car.  

Our plan was to find the Perrine Memorial Bridge (which we thought we had crossed over to get to the falls) to eat our lunch near (in the car of course).  Instead of looking at directions, we headed back the way we came and found that the bridge we had crossed was not the one we were looking for (and was really kind of boring and ugly).  We ate lunch in the parking lot anyway, and then, equipped with actual directions, headed back the other way to the actual fancy and impressive bridge in Twin Falls.  

The visitor's center was closed, so we made a quick stop so I could take a picture and then journeyed on toward our default pit stop for winter weather driving trips: the library.  We spent a while there reading and playing with puzzles and coloring in the children's room, and then we hopped back in the car for the drive back home.  One last stop for dinner in Snowville at the Ranch House Diner, and then we were home in time for a little bit of running around before stories and bed.  A great day all around, and fun to see something new.

Running up the road to keep warm.

Along the road there were a handful of smaller
(but were still quite big as far as waterfalls go)
waterfalls that we walked right by.

My favorite were these icicle falls.

Car lunch kiddies.

Our lunchtime view - not that impressive.  Ha.

The bridge we were hoping to see while we ate our sandwiches.

Pretty view from the Visitor's Center parking lot.

I thought this wall was kind of cool with the rocks
poking up out the top.

Libraries are our happy places.

The bottom floor of the Twin Falls library was
huge and entirely kid-centered.

I've read a few of these fun little "classic" board
books, but this library had a great selection . . .
and I read every one!

Sam picked up these two that were on display at his level
 and we read them together while he sat in a little blue rocking
chair that was just his size.

Book worm and her dad.

Waiting for dinner at the Ranch House Diner.

Good grub - my "sandwich" was a mountain of mashed
potatoes piled high with pot roast and smothered in brown
gravy with two slices of white bread on the side.  Ha.  It was delish!
Gregg got chicken fried steak, Cal got a cheeseburger and Sam
had a corn dog.