Montana, Idaho & Nevada - Driving days

Darby, Montana

 Montana's smallest brewery

 Bandit Brewing

Highway 75

Salmon River Overlook south of Challis, Idaho

Is that steam coming out of the ground?

Yep, it's Sunbeam Hot Springs

Extremely hot water flows from a spring on the hillside next to the highway at Sunbeam Hot Springs Geological and Historical Site.  The water is piped under the highway to volunteer built river side rock pools.  The temperature is controlled by adjusting the rocks letting different amounts of river water into the pools.

Sunbeam Bathhouse 

This 1937 stonework building remains as a tribute to Civilian Conservation Corps.  

The pipe in the river is a remnant of one of the more unique features of this site.  Hot water was diverted from the hot springs, through the pipe, to the Salmon river.  The cold river water would cool the hot water in the pipe and it would be returned to the bathhouse.

An attempt to raise chickens here was made by the caretaker of the Sunbeam Dam property.  The chicken operation wasn't as successful as the caretaker.  He went on the be the Mayor of Idaho Falls and Governor of Idaho.

It started to rain while we were in the hot springs.  Before we could get up the river's bank it was hailing.

We took shelter in the old bathhouse

Back on the road again.  The ground is white from all the hail

Stanley, Idaho

We rounded the corner and had to pull over when we saw the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains.

Jerome, Idaho

The people of Jerome County haven’t forgotten.  This amazing field greets many travelers exiting the Interstate this week every year.  There are 3,000 flags covering roughly 3 acres in remembrance of the lives lost, plus one of the largest flags in the Mountain West region.  It’s a jaw-dropping sight.  The flags were primarily planted by members of the Jerome football team.  Most of whom weren’t even born on one of the worst days in their country’s history.


We had gotten a total of 3 chips in our windshield this trip.  2 within the last 2 days.  Stopped off to get them repaired before they got any worse.

Overnighted in Wells, Nevada

Angel Lake RV Park
The only RV park we have ever stayed at that bragged about their Wifi.  They told us it was OK to stream movies or download anything we wanted.

Breakfast at Bella's

The restaurant that is. Not the "Ranch".  Haha

They serve home-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner made from scratch.  They are famous for their Chicken Fried Steak which is lightly-breaded prime rib, fried to perfection, smothered with country sausage gravy, and served with two fresh eggs, your style and biscuits.

The Ruby Mountains