Day 3 - Idaho Falls - Wells, Nevada

There was a lot of traffic leaving Idaho Falls and so many semis! We stopped very shortly after leaving the city to check out some interesting lava formations, then continued on until we arrived at Massacre Rocks State Park. I had never heard of this park, but it looked absolutely stunning so we turned off and I am so glad we did! We spent an hour or two exploring the trails, with the park entirely to ourselves. It was hard to tell where the trails were as the snow was not cleared and there were no footprints, save for some tracks left by rabbits and coyotes. We did end up seeing two coyotes bolt in to the brush as well as many birds and two adorable rabbits. The views were spectacular and photos will not do them justice, but I did take many!

After taking exit 182 onto ID-50 toward Kimberly and Twin Falls I finally lost the man that had been awkwardly going the same speed as me for way too long (okay, maybe 10 minutes) and then I realized I was pretty sure I was lost for the first time as well. I drove a little ways, hoping to see a sign that would make me sure I was on the right track, doubled back, confirmed I'd followed the right signs and continued on with no sign that I was going the right way for quite awhile. I decided to fill up my tank and consider whether to face asking someone for directions or just keep going; my tank filled, I resolved to just keep going when the man filling up his car next to me came over and asked where I was headed. My mind already jumbled in my state of panic over something that most people would not bat an eye about made me speak in a manner that I am sure made him think I was quite dim "Where you headed?" "Nevada...I'm a bit lost actually" "Where in Nevada?" "Straight through to California" "Where in California" ('Oh god, settle down mind!') "Lake Tahoe...Tahoe Lakes" ('wait, which was it again? And where do the put the emphasis, the Ta or the Hoe? Oh no, I said it wrong!'). He did not seem to care about my jumbled words, he told me I was on the right track and gave me directions to highway 93. I almost became religious right then and there as I was so thankful for this bearded man that had appeared out of nowhere and offered up directions freely, without me even having to ask. I thought I was in the middle of nowhere then, but not even close. The rest of the day was spent driving through the absolute middle of nowhere, I was thankful I had filled up my tank when I did and eventually I started to wonder if I would ever see civilization again. Quite suddenly, the town of Wells appeared and, even though it was only a little after 4 pm, I vowed to stop for the night if they had a Motel 6 and sure enough, there one was, right off the highway; grateful, I pulled in, got my room key from a woman also named Colleen and here I am, caught up on my blog for now!

Luna relaxing in her motel bed last night, she then decided to bite her leg playfully while I was taking her photo, little weirdo.

Playtime at Massacre Rocks State Park

Near the top right of this photo is a rabbit, Luna was ready to take chase when I asked her to "wait", she stopped immediately in her tracks until I told her "okay", then we walked on and she left the rabbit alone, I love this dog so much!

At a rest stop right after entering Nevada