Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

We've had a great time visiting with Merilee and Matt, but it's time for us to leave and head east. We said goodbye to Merilee and Matt this morning and thanked them again for their hospitality and told them what a great time we had visiting with them.

We headed south to I-84 and then east on the interstate until we reached the town of Bliss. Matt had told us about the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway (US-30), so we left I-84 at Bliss and drove south on US-30. We stopped at a rest area near Hagerman where there is a large fossil bed.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

A portion of US-30 follows alongside the Snake River and we had great views of numerous waterfalls.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

We stopped at the visitor center in Twin Falls to look at the Snake River Canyon

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

and there is a monument for Evel Knievel's attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon. We didn't get to see the actual location of his jump attempt since is was about 2 miles east of the visitor center.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

We got back on to I-84 at Twin Falls and headed east until we got to I-86 and took it north.

We stopped at a rest area at Coldwater Hill and walked over to see the historic marker for the California and Oregon Trails that came up the bluff.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

Tinker was so happy to see the grass at the rest area, he had to roll around on it.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

Then 6 miles east of the rest area we saw signs for Register Rock. We decided to detour off the interstate to see Register Rock. We had to backtrack west about 2 miles to get to Register Rock. Register Rock is surrounded by a high fence and is under a covered shelter.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

We were able to make out signatures dating from 1849 up to the 1880's.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

After leaving Register Rock we got back on I-86 and drove east until we connected with I-15 and took it north to Idaho Falls.

From Thousand Springs Scenic Byway & Register Rock

We exited I-15 at exit 118 and stopped at an Exxon station to fill the RV's tank ($3.779 a gal) before driving to the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Idaho Falls where we're spending tonight.

Oh yes - I forgot to mention that today is my 65th birthday - I not only now have Medicare, but qualify for the "over 65 senior discounts"!!