We're supposed to go East...but we're going West?

Idaho Falls, Idaho to Nampa, Idaho (visiting Laura's cousins)
July 25-27, 2016

Rather than take the interstate, we drove the slower but more direct route across Idaho, passing Craters of the Moon National Monument as we went.  We visited there on a trip in 2003 so we didn't stop this time but it's worth a visit if you are ever in that area.  It's a huge area of cinder cones and lava flows that is other-worldly in appearance - hence the name.  It's a reminder of our planet's violent past.  You'll see acres and acres of various types of lava as well as cinder cones, lava tubes, etc.

We stayed at a campground in Nampa and met a bunch of Laura's cousins for lunch. It was fun to see everyone again catch up on family news.  Several of her cousins are interested in the family genealogy and work at it off and on so there was a lot of discussion on that topic. 

We keep saying that we need to get better about taking pictures of relatives and friends but somehow, in the excitement of the moment, we seem to forget until it's too late.  In this case we even remember taking pictures but they are no where to be found.  That baffles me and it's not the first time this has happened.  So apologies to Bud, Shirley, Jane, Julie, Judy and Mariah for not having a picture of you for our blog.

Laura's cousin Terry.

We also went to lunch the second day with another cousin and her daughter in the town of Meridian.  It is apparently the "in" place to live these days for up and coming folks who work in Boise.  Along with huge houses there was every store you can name and some I've never heard of.

One thing hasn't changed about the area and that's the heat.  Our plan to be in the south for the winter months and in the north for the summer months isn't keeping us away from the heat.  There are a lot of very warm places - even in the northern states.  I wonder what the temperature is in the Yukon about now?