Driving north on US-95 from Weiser to Mesa, Idaho

June 20, 2007.

Welcome to Idaho sign in Weiser, Idaho

This travelogue begins as we cross the Snake River in Weiser, Idaho. We have been in Baker City, Oregon and are headed north on US-95 to Riggins, Idaho.

Western, Idaho agriculture

US-95 north out of Weiser, Idaho is Western Idaho agriculture is evident. Hay was the most prevalent crop.

Western, Idaho was big into hay production

Western Idaho agriculture consists of serious hay operations.

Old wooden grain elevator north of Weiser, Idaho

This is an old grain elevator. It was a common design used from the early 1900s to mid 1980s and an important part of Western Idaho agriculture.

Much of Idaho is a desert

Once again Joyce is documenting that Idaho is a desert.

A serious hay operation north of Weiser, Idaho

This is another serious hay operation in western Idaho.

This Idaho farm operation has four large hay barns:

Western Idaho Agriculture at its best

This Western Idaho Agriculture operation has four large hay barns.

Western Idaho agriculture evidenced in this stored hay

I think those are 1,000 pound bales. Can someone familiar with this type of bale confirm or correct the size of these bales?

Western Idaho agriculture displayed in this hay delivery and storage

I wonder if this double trailer rig is delivering hay to this barn or if the rig is being loaded to transport to a dairy somewhere?

Western Idaho agriculture evident in this irrigated desert

Irrigated land is green while the unirrigated is desert brown.

Western Idaho agriculture & Mesa Orchards Mesa, Idaho

In Mesa we stopped to read this kiosk providing information about Mesa Orchards. At one time this was one huge apple orchard. We did not see the first apple tree as we passed through the area. My how times change!

Western Idaho Agriculture at work in this ranch North of Mesa, Idaho

Western Idaho agriculture evidenced by this ranch.

As you can tell we have climbed in elevation and are now high enough that grass grows without irrigation. Also notice the evergreen forest, that is another good indication that the area is receiving adequate moisture. I would guess we are at a 4,000 to 5,000 foot elevation.