June 20, 2007.

We are staying at Canyon Pines RV Resort in Riggins, Idaho. $28.08 FHU-cable and free wifi, nice size sites on the Little Salmon River (208-628-4006)

Limestone exposed on I-84 southeast of Baker City, Oregon

I-84 south of Baker City, Oregon is not a scenic drive by any means but if one is paying attention some interesting things can be seen such as this roadcut that exposes a limestone hill. We are near a small town called Lime and we can see several cement plants taking advantage of this limestone.

Mine shaft and tailings visible from I-84 southeast of Baker City

Look carefully at the center of this picture and you can see an old mine. The tailings from this old mine are visible on the left side of the canyon.

Tailing piles are a dead give away that a mine is near.

Mine shaft and tailings visible from I-84 southeast of Baker City

This is a close-up of that same mine.

Roadcut exposing limestone on I-84 southeast of Baker City

This is another roadcut exposing more limestone.

East Oregon desert between Idaho and Baker City on I-84

Joyce took this picture to emphasize that eastern Oregon is desert. A very hostile desert at that. Keep in mind that the Oregon Trail crossed this way as it crossed over the border of western Idaho.

Farewell Bend on the Oregon Trail

We finally reach the Snake River at Farewell Bend. This area has been known as Farewell Bend since the early 1800s when emigrants passing this way said farewell to the Snake River and headed away from the River they had been following for over 300-miles across southern Idaho.

Again note that this is a desert region even though the Snake River flows through it.

Snake River from SR-201 near Weiser, Idaho

This picture of the Snake River was taken after exiting I-84 on to SR-201 as we near Weiser, Idaho.

Snake River from SR-201 near Weiser, Idaho

Another picture of the Snake River and desert conditions. We are still in Oregon a few miles west of Weiser, Idaho on SR-201.

East Oregon desert west of Weiser, Idaho

For a moment SR-201 leaves the banks of the Snake River and we are truly driving through a desert.

Irrigated fields along the Snake river in Oregon near the Idaho town of Weiser

This is onions in the foreground and corn in the background. Irrigation truly makes the desert bloom doesn't it!

Do note the desert hills beyond the irrigated valley along the Snake River.

Irrigated fields along the Snake river in Oregon near the Idaho town of Weiser

This is another field of onions in the foreground with corn in the background.

Welcome to Idaho sign at Weiser, Idaho

And here we are crossing the Snake River back into Idaho at Weiser, Idaho.

On the other side of this bridge we will connect with US 95 that will take us north to Riggins, Idaho where we plan to stop for the night.