Day Eleven: Finally, Idaho

The Brownsons, and their 1998 Toyota Sienna, made it to Idaho.  After 3,337.2 miles, we arrived to the Ashley home in Pocatello. 

But, before getting to their home, we met Tara, 12-year-old Maggie, and 8.5-year-old Sam in Lava Hot Springs.  What a treat.  We floated down the Portneuf River on 4-person tubes.  And then, undisclosed to the spoiled New Englander, i.e., Jenna, had to carry the 30-plus pound things back up the river to ride the rapids again.

Rob didn't even ride the river, and yet, he helped carry the quad-tube.

Jenna ended up embracing the process and doing her share of the work.

After tubing for an hour, we were off to the hot springs.  We sat in outdoor pools which are fed from the naturally occurring hot springs running underneath Lava.  Unlike other hot springs resorts, these waters are sulphur free.  No rotten egg smell.  The hot spring water needs to be diluted with cold water to bring the tempertures down to range between 102 and 113 degrees as it comes out of the ground close to 150 degrees.  We soaked for close to two hours. 

Tara treated us all to very good Thai food.  Who knew that one could find "good Thai food" in the middle of Idaho.  ("The middle of no place" is not a fair descriptor of this beautiful state.)

And so begins our five days in southeastern Idaho . . .