It was good to unload the whole car now, re-sort everything and get settled for the next 5 days. A lazy evening in with a little sewing done!

This morning it was up, do a workout and then head to the visitor centre for some truly spectacular views of the Perrine Bridge and golf courses in the canyon.

We hung out for base jumpers to jump off the only place in USA that doesn't require a permit. We saw one jump off the bridge and there's about another 5 packing and sorting their chutes ready for a thrill.

Then we headed to Shoshone Falls, created by the Bonneville Flood that ripped and formed the canyon some 15,000 years ago. Shoshone Falls is known as the 'Niagara of the West', at a height of 212ft it is actually 50ft higher than Niagara Falls.

The falls were passed by undiscovered, overlooked or discovered in part by various non-native parties since 1811. In 1875, a young 19year old Charles Walgamott came to the area, enchanted with the falls he thought it could well be a tourist attraction. He bought up surrounding land on both sides of the canyon and by 1886 had built a hotel on the south side.

In 1932 it was donated to the city of Twin Falls by Frederick and Martha Adams.

After a few financial struggles the hydroelectric power station came under Idaho Power's control and a series of improvements began in 1921. It is now undergoing some further improvements to the hydroelectric facility.

Reminded me of Cotter upgrades.

After a massive downpour it was time for lunch and a trip out to the range.

Looks like a great set up. Great looking bays, targets and stages.

Tomorrow is Warm Up.

See ya.

Kat xo

Wed 6th Aug

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Falls,_Idaho

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshone_Falls

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We left Jackson this morning and made a brief detour through Teton Village. The we headed across the border into Idaho and hit Idaho Falls by lunch time. They are quite beautiful and a neat little roadside park. These falls are right in the centre of town basically. A gorgeous spot for a workers lunchtime stroll or sit and eat.

In our usual unconventional style we headed for an optional route across to Arco wanting to visit the Craters of the Moon. We happened across EBR-1 Atomic Museum.

Curiosity killed the cat and we headed in to check it out. It's a bit like a Roswell landscape. Sparse, nothing for miles in between yet there are a number of facilities that form part of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Now, again, I will remind you that the following is from a hurried notation during a guided tour by the lovely Jen at the centre.

Sitting on a portion of the 89,000 sq miles of land is EBR-1 (Experimental Breeder Reactor-1), The Worlds First Nuclear Power Plant. A huge parcel of land back in the day, more for precaution if anything should go wrong.

There are 3 reactors of non commercial variation that carry out experimental works and where scientist can work on their patents etc. They also made the battery for the module that just went past And took photos of Pluto.

They also have a Naval Nuclear facility and Land Management division. All under the banner of US Dept of Energy. There are around 3000 employees working across the site that are bussed in each day.

In Dec, 1951 the plant became the first in the world to produce electricity using atomic energy. A whopping 400kw actually, enough to run 4 large light bulbs (I know, I jest). Until its decommissioning in 1964 it generated enough electricity to supply all the power for its own building whenever the reactor operated.

Now for a little bit of science. Something about atoms, neutrons, splitting, fission and breeding. How's that! You thought I was going to dazzle you with technical brilliance, lol! Nope not today.

Suffice to say the picture tells it all. The breeder uses uranium and plutonium to cause the energy.

A reactor can not explode like a nuclear bomb but can have a steam explosion or meltdown but double boilers prevent this from happening. He nuclear fuel was created by a fission chain reaction.

Heat is carried from the reactor core by liquid metal which then heats a secondary system. The liquid metal is called NaK a combination of sodium (Na) and potassium (K).

They use Idaho power now which is mostly hydro and wind, so this original sign is now lit for historical purposes only.

The bricks from the breeding blanket were pure uranium 238 and weigh 100pds each.

You are protected by concrete, lead and shields to view. This is the primary cooler.

Dosimeters are present in the building to ensure no one is exposed to any traces.

Mineral oil between each of 35 layers of glass to protect them from harm whilst using the manipulator arms in the 'hot cell'. When you run a light through it you can see all the dots as it goes through the glass like a light sabre.

There are roughly 104 plants that use nuclear energy today.

Outside, these large engines were to be nuclear powered engines for planes.

There is a lot more I could go on about but won't. Thanks Jen for a good tour.

Onward we go, making our way via Craters of the Moon. In short, looks like a sudden field of oversized ploughed up dirt or like massive numbers of dump trucks have dropped loads in uneven piles. In actual fact, it is volcanic rock of various forms.

That's it. Will see what's happening in and around Twin Falls. Oh and we will be here for the next 5 days for the Idaho State Championships. Yee haa!

Kat xo

Tues 4th Aug

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_Breeder_Reactor_I

http://www4vip.inl.gov/ebr/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/EBR-1-Experimental-Breeder-Reactor-I/1598254117097677

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_Falls,_Idaho

http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

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Back to Sheridan and we hit the Cowoby Cafe for lunch.

When travelling I like to sample unusual local brews. Occidental Porter yesterday in Buffalo and today – Moose Drool. Not bad! A light brown ale. Jack preferring to stick with Blue Moon or something else.

Then we hit the streets took in a couple of statues, murals, old buildings and a spot of shopping – well, window shopping anyway. Visited Don King's Saddlery Museum too. What a collection!

Tonight we headed down to the historic Sheridan Inn, home of Buffalo Bill. Here, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, a then part owner, often auditioned new talent for his Wild West Show from the front porch.

The 22 rooms are decorated in the times and history of Buffalo Bill and 21 other people from his life. There are historical displays and photos throughout the lobbies. The first floor lobby still has original beams, plaster ceiling, floor coverings, fireplace etc.

The Open Range Restaurant offered up a variety of steaks, fish and other seafood.

I opted for the 'Plank Salmon' (came served on a plank of timber that it was cooked on) with Smoked Asparagus and Sautéed Mushrooms. Jack decided on Cajun Spiced Ribeye Steak, Loaded Baked Potato and Sautéed Mushrooms.

It was a WOW! Totally superb meal!

Cheers!!

Kat xo

https://sheridaninn.com

http://www.cowboycafewyo.com/home.aspx

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In about 20mins flat, through rolling Wyoming hills one side and the Bighorn Mountains to the left we reached the border for Montana.

Not too long after and we are in Garryowen at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Custer National Cemetery is a site to behold as marble markers honour known and unknown soldiers from many wars, medal of honour and veterans including 20th Century Wars, women and children from the frontier, Indians and scouts alike.

We heard a call for a talk by one of the Park Ranger's for 10am up at the Last Stand Monument so we proceeded up the hill to take in an informative yet abbreviated talk by Michael Donahue.

He is from Texas and works here every Summer and has written books on Custer.

I managed to capture some of the information but for the most part was completely mesmerised by his enthusiasm and fascinating recall on one of American history's major battles.

So you will only get a very brief account from me.

The Battle of The Little Bighorn occurred on June 25, 1876. Custer and over 200 men met their death in a bloody battle against Indian warriors.

Down in the valley, along the Little Bighorn River (noted with the red circle in the pic) was where the Indian encampment of 6-8000 were. Of these around 2000 were Indian warriors.

Being in and around the river and low into the valley made it difficult to see the tipi's and for Custer, Reno and Benteen to know just how many were there.

Sitting Bull's camp started down towards the back lot of trees. Whilst this was a Crow reservation, Sitting Bull was pushing them off their own reservation. He was attempting to persue the Indians nomadic ways and refused to be restricted to a reservation. Now you have to remember around these times too, America was trying to get all tribes into Indian Territory aka Oklahoma.

The U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment also had a number of Irish and Germans in it. When they came to the frontier if they didn't have a job then they could always get $13/month enlisted in the U.S, Army.

It was the winter and spring of 1876 when open warfare broke out between the Lakota/Cheyenne and the U.S. Army. By the time this battle started it would be a hot 100F day.

As we stand at the Last Stand Monument the small cemetery in front has the scattered markers of those slain and down along a 5 mile path you can see other markers. The white marble markers are for army and civilians and red granite markers are the Indians who lost their lives.

Custer having had many victories before and escaped harm, despite having 11 horses shot from beneath him, was so confident in a victorious outcome here that he had invited his whole family! All but one brother came along and we saw markers for at least 2 of his family that died here.

Custer wearing his floppy hat, shoulder length hair, blue velveteen uniform and red tie could be seen on any battlefield. He led his men from the front, never the rear.

Major Reno's battalion attempts to take the encampment not realising just how many were down in there. From Custer's vantage point he realised they were outnumbered and sent an Italian rider with a note to Benteen saying 'come now, bring the packs!' Meaning the pack mules wih ammunition as each man was only allocated 124 rounds.

When Benteen received the note he put it in his pocket and ignored it. Apparently no love lost between these two. Reno was beside himself and said they needed to go help.

Later when Weir, Reno and Benteen come across Custer and his men, the sight would haunt them forever.

The battle with Custer and his 200 men was over in just under 2 hours.

Indians believed that in order to not fight someone in the next life they needed to take their spirit by scalping them, their eyes out so they cannot see, take their hands off so they can not fire their weapons and slash their thigh muscle so they cannot get on a horse in the next life.

A classic case of 1800's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, both Weir and Reno drank themselves to death. Weir died the December after the battle, Reno vowed to sit with Custer's wife and tell her the truth and died later. Benteen remained bitter and still hated Custer til the very day he died.

It was a very hurried burial for Custer and his men in the heat of an 1876 Summer. They were later exhumed and placed in a mass grave around the memorial. Some were sent to other cemeteries, Custer's body now lies interred at West Point, the horses are recognised and so too the Indians have a special memorial.

The Indian Memorial “Peace Through Unity” is quite spectacular, the main feature of its horses, warriors preparing for battle and riding out, is a unique bronze sculpture.

The circular walls of rock is said to be symbolic of the journey of life. They have openings, one of which has a view to the Last Stand monument, allowing the spirits of the 7th Cavalry into the memorial.

The beautiful black granite features represent the 5 tribes who fought and has all the names of those lives lost cared in stone. A picture of the remaining 9 warriors is also displayed with all the names of warriors lost.

There is also a number of different artefacts, maps and other great things in the Visitor Centre,

Kat xo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Bighorn_Battlefield_National_Monument

http://www.nps.gov/libi/indian-memorial-at-the-little-bighorn.htm

http://www.npr.org/2013/07/22/203595888/little-bighorn-tour-guide-brings-battle-to-life

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