Island Park Idaho – A Place to Connect with Great Friends

 

SIT left Yellowstone on May 29^th and landed at the Red Rock RV Park in Island Park Idaho. This spot is right next to Henry’s Lake which is known for big, I mean really big, trout.  Ah, now we can catch some fish!

Steve was beginning to show signs of fishing withdrawals so he headed down to the lake that afternoon.  He came back empty handed, but you know it wasn’t his fault. You see the place to fish was not really accessible, along with 20 mile per hour winds hitting most of the time. Well better luck next time!

Thursday morning started out mostly cloudy and windy. We decided to do a bit of touring so headed to Big Springs which is where the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River just pops right out of the ground.  Sure I believe you “you say”.  Well you should as it really does. It is simply amazing.

Big Springs

Generating Power once upon a time

 

From there we traveled to the Upper Mesa Falls – which by the way is Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.  The Forest Service in conjunction with the State of Idaho, run the visitor center at the falls. The walk to the falls allows dogs so Izzy was able to tour with us up close and personal.

The falls were quite spectacular and one could hang there for quite a long time, although we chose not to as it started to rain pretty hard.

 

Down from the falls

 

Izzy being camera shy all of the sudden

 

We had some good friends coming Friday to hang out with us so waited to do more touring until they arrived. Tom and Becky got there Friday late afternoon and George and Beth arrived that night. It was great to see them and enjoy their company.

Tom and Becky headed to Yellowstone Saturday with Becky’s Mom so the four of us went to the Falls and did some hiking. The weather was much nicer than the other day.  George, Beth and I were taking the hike down to the Lower Mesa Falls when we stepped aside to let a couple of young ladies pass by. You’ll never guess what?  No it wasn’t Taylor Swift, but it was George’s niece Rachel all the way from Vermont!  What a small world!  I of course arranged the meeting!!  NOT!

Steve, Tory, Beth and George at Upper Mesa Falls

Lower Mesa Falls

 

Sunday morning we went for a hike with the dogs in tow before George, Beth and Shelby hit the road back to their home. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was gorgeous. You can see why folks live in the area however I would not enjoy it much in the winter!!

Monday we hit the road with Tom, Becky, and Jessie and headed to the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Izzy stayed at the trailer and I am sure slept all day while we were gone. She has been able to run around pretty freely chasing all of the ground squirrels. We’re glad she isn’t successful at catching them!

The refuge was pretty but we didn’t see too many birds. Since it was getting close to lunchtime, we decided to follow this road to the Elk Lake Resort which according to their sign serves food!  The drive was beautiful along with the view.  The resort is pretty cool and the owners are pretty cool too. Oh by the way the food was delicious!!

 

Once we were full of great food we headed out and kept an eye out for wildlife. We did see a few hawks on the way home, and low and behold we spotted a moose!  He wasn’t too worried about us as it seems he was in the eating mode.

Bullwinkle eating lunch

 

Steve decided to try and tackle the fishing again so when we got back he headed to the lake.  I asked him when Tom and I should go search for him since he was going to be going down a cliff to get a better fishing spot and hopefully a deeper hole.  He said to give him three hours……..he came back in one hour. I don’t need to tell you anymore do I!!

Tom, Becky and Jessie headed home Tuesday and Wednesday we packed up and headed toward Montana.  We plan to visit the Big Hole Battlefield on our way to Missoula.  Will tell you all about that in the next post.