We drove I-84 E from Boise to Twin Falls and on our way we noticed a sign indicting that there was an Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Glenns Ferry. Since we were in no hurry to arrive at camp, we decided to take a side trip and visit the center. We found it about 2 miles south of Glenns Ferry in a very nice State Park called Three Islands State Park. The center was partially funded by the H.J. Heinz company and very well done. The site is at the point where wagon trains had to ford the Snake River. This was a dangerous place to ford, as the current was extremely swift. The Indians in the area were very helpful and assisted the pioneers across the river.
As we were leaving Glenns Ferry we noticed that it was clouding up and by the time we reached the KOA in Twin Falls we were in a downpour! It stormed all evening, and while we were in town at a restaurant, the power went out for a short time. The truck got a good rinse!
Monday dawned sunny and crisp. After breakfast we went to the Perrine Bridge visitor's center to learn about the huge canyon the bridge spans and to find out what we should see in Twin Falls. The bridge is 1500 feet in length and is 486 feet above the canyon floor. We noticed several young men and women on the lawn (I thought they were packing sleeping bags) and the visitor center said they were packing their parachutes and were going to jump off the bridge into the canyon. We watched five of the jumpers and then left in search of Twin Falls and Shoshone Falls. Twin Falls has been compromised by the city as they have built a dam and a power plant at that site. Instead of two falls, there is only one now. From there we went to Shoshone Falls called The Niagara of the West, as it tumbles 212 feet to the canyon floor, and is 50 ft. higher than Niagara. The Frederick Adams family donated the falls and surrounding area to the city of Twin Falls in 1932 with the stipulation that the land be maintained as a public park for park purposes only and for the enjoyment of all people. Smart!
We were looking for a museum or house to visit, and it was suggested we stop at the public library. Odd. There was a young lady there, however, who directed us to a real gem: Rock Creek Station and Stricker Homesite, about 10 miles outside of Twin Falls in a little town of Hansen. In 1865 James Bscom and John Corder built the Rock Creek Store. The small log building is still intact. In 1876 German immigrants and gold seekers Herman Stricker and John Botzet bought the store, and Stricker and his family ran the store until 1897. An addition on the back of the building housed a saloon. The Strickers six room log cabin burned in 1900, and so they built the house that is on the site and which we were able to visit. The furniture in the house is Mrs. Stricker's, and much of it dates back to 1900.
In addition to the store and saloon, Ben Holladay built a freight station at Rock Creek where off-duty stage drivers and attendants lived and where passengers could buy a meal or night's lodging. Emmigrants on wagon trains also stopped at Rock Creek as it was a popular camping spot as there was water and shade, and they could buy provisions. Down by the stream wagon ruts can still be seen.
We spent one morning at the Centennial Park down in the Snake River canyon. It's a beautiful park and is especially good for fishing, with easy access to the Snake River. However, by noon, it was getting very warm, so we exited the park and headed for the Twin Falls Museum. It is a small museum and is currently under renovation, so the sound of drills made me think of a dentist office. The exhibits were well done, but in a bit of disarray due to the work being done.
We left the next day for Idaho Falls.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment