Our first stop was Devil's Orchard. When this area was first discovered, not even the sagebrush was growing--everything was black from the lava flow.
Now the sagebrush and limber pine are able to put roots down as well as a few wildflowers.
Dwarf mistletoe grows on the limber pines. The mistletoe excretes a hormone causing the tree to send more nutrients to the infected area.
The extra growth on the tree is called witch's broom since the limbs just multiply! It looks like a broom a witch would use!
Trees and plants grow on the north side of hills like these. In the summer, the south side can surface temperature reaches about 150 degrees!
From Inferno Cone we went to see the spatter cones. There was a paved trail leading to the Snow Cone. There is snow in the bottom of this cone that doesn't melt completely and more snow is added every year. The cone lost about 2 feet of height over the years from people climbing around the edges. Now there is a fence alongside the trail to keep people off the area.
We passed lava cascades on our way to the trails leading to the lava tube caves.
Our first cave was Dewdrop. It was an area where the lava tube collapsed. The room didn't go very far. 
Bob went as far as possible, then turned and got my picture at the opening.
From Dewdrop we went to Indian Tunnel. It goes about 800 feet in length. There are several openings in the ceiling so flashlights aren't needed.
This was an old opening to Indian Tunnel.
Along the way, we disturbed some nesting doves. There is one on the left and on the right are two more. They let us know their displeasure by making noises the whole time we were near them.
We stopped for a picture in one of the rooms. Until we saw the picture, we didn't know there was color on the walls! We don't know if it was lichens or minerals (unlikely in the lava tube tunnel)!
To get out of Indian Tunnel we had to cross a snow bank near the exit hole.
We camped at Craters for 2 nights. When we left Craters of the Moon we headed for Mountain Home AFB near Mountain Home, Idaho. Not far along the road, we encountered a cattle drive.
The cows were being moved along the highway by trail riders and border collies!
Some of the calves didn't like walking on the side of the road and kept wandering toward the center of the road. 
The cattle drive was about a mile long. The sheep in a nearby pasture enjoyed the show.
When we arrived at Mountain Home AFB we were excited to see green trees and grass! This portion of Idaho is classified as desert.While at Mountain Home AFB we have had rain and cloudy days so no pictures so far! We made a trip to the commissary and one to the Officers' Club. If we hadn't visited the club, they wouldn't have had much business Friday night! There were less than 15 people--counting the bartender! We played coverall bingo--the jackpot was $500. Someone in the NCO club won and bought drinks for everyone who played!
We played bingo with Ira and Mary from the panhandle of Florida. They are on their way to Alaska! They were also staying at Mountain Home FamCamp.
Saturday was a geocaching day. We picked up 10 caches, couldn't find one and passed on three others due to muddy, dirt roads!
Sunday we drove to Three Island Crossing State Park at Glenn's Ferry, Idaho. The crossing was the most dangerous of the Oregon Trail! There was a nice museum at the park and a well-manicured campground.
We will stay at Mountain Home until Thursday when we plan to go to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Hopefully the weather will clear by then.
2 comments:
Hi Bob and Joyce
Great pictures. Some of it looked like MARS.
Wait until you see Crater Lake--it is just beautiful. I was there in the early 70s. We're fine here--just praying for rain.
Keep having fun!
:))
Hoss and Lynn
I hope these gas prices don't delay your trip any. I had to stop going to work because I couldn't afford the gas to get there!
And as for Lynn and Hoss....whats rain?
-Bobby
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