Walla Walla, WA to Zion Natioal Park, UT

Well we really put together a wonderful road trip for our Winter Break.  We knew our destination was to be Payson, AZ to see family.  What we did not expect was that the dreaded 20 hours each way would end up giving us a wonderful excuse to make great stops along the way so we could break up the monotony of the road for the boys.  We broke the trip into 3 days of about 7 hours each.

The first day we left at around 12:30 having just finished lunch.  This was our push day for driving where we really only stopped for bathroom breaks and gas.  Although the landscape between here and Twin Falls, Idaho is beautiful, we were not familiar with any spectacular points of interest and we were really wanting to put some road miles behind us.  So arriving in Twin Falls at dinner time we ate some Thai food and played in the pool.  Indoor hotel pools are always a big hit for the boys.  The next morning we woke early hit the road and headed for our first stopping point, Twin Falls.  Yes, we were really already there and did not really need a break but we could not pass this one by.  You can see why, simply amazing.  A place where the Snake river tumbles over a layer of basalt, Shoshone Falls (one of 3 sets of falls near the town of Twin Falls) is 212 feet high. 

Here you see the complete falls with the end of the rainbow.

This rainbow was caused by the amount of spray that was in the air.

Here we are standing on the observation deck.

 There was a layer of ice about 1/2 inch thick on everything (really everything).  It was interesting because it was not particularly slippery.  We think because of the way it was laid down as mist but could not confirm our hypothesis. As a whole, Twin Falls was a great first stop though it got us on the road pretty late.

Next we headed for the Salt Lake City and The Red Iguana for lunch, a super hot hole in the wall restaurant with amazing Mexican food.  From there we headed south directly.  A few hours outside of Salt Lake we came to the town of Meadow (pop. 1000 maybe).  Stuart once stopped here at a hot spring during his nomadic years and had promised himself that if he were ever driving down this road again he would stop for a revisit.  Now I have to remind you here that it is winter.  The temperature outside is below freezing (guessing 20º).  And yet the hot water was enticing.  Wren was in the water in a flash.  Stuart was quick to follow.  Dakota was not really that sure but after a bit decided to give it a try. Then I jumped in as well.  The hard part came after about 45 minutes of soaking in the 95º water.  We had to get out.  We took it in shifts.  Stuart first to help the boys.  With Stuart dressed, he could then help Wren who promptly ran to the car to get it warmed up.  Then Dakota who really did not like this part but once he was dressed and back to the car, Heidi followed and all was well. 

 On to our destination for the night Zion National Park.