Idaho- Oregon (Road Trip pt. 4)
After my time in the southwestern states- I hopped up from Salt Lake City to Idaho.
I felt like Idaho would be a good enough distance, and a beautiful stop along the way.
It was crazy how desolate some parts of the road in Idaho were, nothing on the road but my car! It was fun and different. I was also driving through bad wind storms- but my good ole reliable Ford Fusion got me through safely.
When I initially planned my road-trip I found a website that had suggestions of where to stop- and Shoshone Falls was one of them. The website called it “Niagra Falls of the West.” I haven’t seen Niagara Falls, so I can’t tell you if that was an accurate statement but it was quite amazing.
The waterfall was huge- it was so powerful and loud. It had multiple vantage points you could park and walk around. There was only 8-10 visitors there- at one point only two people so it was not super populated.
I think my favorite part of the waterfall was the transitions from blues to greens to yellows on the rocks near the flowing water.
After taking in the site for sometime, I explored past the waterfall where there was an area to swim and walk.
It was really cute- there was a bunch of locals with their kids and grandkids swimming and having picnics.
Twin Falls, Idaho felt like a small town which made it was pretty calming and peaceful.
After exploring the main attraction- I went back to my hotel and just rested.
At this point I was a little homesick for my dog and my partner because I hadn’t spent that much time alone in a while. It was fun to have that experience with myself and kinda reclaim some of my independence. Sometimes I get so comfortable in my relationship, I forget to also focus on my relationship with myself.
But after a few facetimes with John and Sookie and a great night of rest, I felt much better. I headed back out on my journey!
After Twin Falls, I drove up and over to Portland to go stay with my great Aunt Dixie and Uncle Tom.
The drive from Idaho to Oregon was the most remarkable, stunning part of the drive. Seriously it was magical!
This was my absolute favorite part of the drive.
I’m not sure exactly where it was but I’ll put a screenshot of my photo map.
I drove alongside a river on a road that kept giving glimpses of Mount Hood and Mount Rainier.
Mountains amaze me- it feels good to be reminded how small we are in grand scheme of the world.
Another beautiful part about Oregon is the brush and tall grasses, they flow in the wind so nicely. I’m not sure what they’re called but it was so pretty next to the water. I pulled off to just enjoy the view for a few minutes.
Then I started driving and I looked to see a train right next to water. It was going in and out of mountains and curving with the land.
I looked to my right again and this time I saw the water was filled with people parasailing and kite boarding. There was a small beach town on the coast and the waters were also filled with colorful sailboats.
I didn’t take any photos of that because I was driving haha and also because it felt like a moment I should be fully present for. It was such a pretty scene.
The light was sparkling against the water and water was splashing against big rocks. I had a great view from the highway and I really thought- this couldn’t be more beautiful.
A few minutes later, I looked to my left, and there was a green forest- I can’t remember what national or state park. Then there was a tall thin waterfall with a rainbow under it. I was just silenced!
It was so beautiful I can’t even begin to describe it right.
I will definitely try to go back there someday and do that drive again. And when I have more time I will stop and fully see the little beach town I drove by and the forest with an amazing waterfall.
Nature is so amazing.
Then I got to Lake Oswego to stay with my West Coast family!
I had such an amazing time with my Great Aunt & Uncle, getting to see my moms cousins again and meet my second cousins for the first time! We had a wonderful time together- I am so excited to talk about my stay with them in Lake Oswego (outside of Portland) and then my trip to Mount Rainier National Park!
I have some wonderful pictures from Mount Rainier- I can’t wait to share.
It was quite the adventure- thanks for letting me recall it and enjoy it again.
Xoxo,
Grace
