June 14, 2007

We are staying at Garrity RV-Park in Nampa 10-miles west of Boise. It was $21 per-night for FHU & Cable while every place else in the area seemed to start at $26 and rapidly go up. Garrity was just fine. It was clean, well managed, the sites were close but we were not there and didn't go outside except when heading to and from the automobile. There was a good number of permanent or long term in the campground but they were being managed properly thus were no problem. We would stay at Garrity again but those that like to spend the day and evening under the awning, sipping cool ones, might rather be in one of the other area parks. N43° 35.245' W116° 31.592'

Traveling the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway SR-21 through Idaho City and Lowman. Much of the forest along this route was burned in the Lowman area.

Ponderosa Pines Scenic Byway

In addition to fire damage this section of the Ponderosa Pines Scenic Byway treats us with spectacular roadcuts, evergreen forests, and vistas around every one of the twists and turns.

Lowman, Idaho

Lowman Fire of 1989 & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Following the fire, many dead trees were removed from this area to discourage a concentrated insect invasion in the remaining injured and weakened trees. These trees provided 125 million board feet of lumber for the local timber-based economy.

Payette River north of Lowman & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

The Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway follows the south fork of the Payette River north of Lowman.

Natural Hot Spring along the Payette River & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

This is a natural hot spring along the highway.

Emma Edwards kiosk along Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Idaho has done a good job of placing these informative kiosks along Idaho highways.

Emile Grandjean

Kiosk along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.

Mountain Pine Beetle along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

These trees have been killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle. These beetles affect all types of pine forests including these lodgepole pine. Beetles are part of the natural process of forest succession and nutrient recycling that maintain a strong and vigorous forest.

Mountain Pine Beetle

More trees killed by the mountain pine beetle.

Lowman Fire of 1989

Twenty two miles of the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway was affected by the 1989 Lowman Fire.