Arco, Idaho - INL Nuclear Reactor - Idaho Falls, Idaho

On Sunday we drove from Arco, Idaho to West Yellowstone, Montana.  We made a stop at the INL Nuclear Reactor museum that is just 18 miles east of Arco.  We also made a stop in Idaho Falls because I'd never seen the falls.  We snapped a few pictures and then headed to Yellowstone.

We took a few pictures around Arco before leaving.  The sail for the one of the first nuclear submarines is on display at a city park, it was HUGE! Another interesting fact about Arco is the Number Hill.  Each graduating class since 1920 has gone up on the mountain and white washed their year into the mountain.   Pickle's Place was our favorite place to eat, great food, friendly staff and a pickle with every meal!

The INL site is home to a National Landmark with the EBR-1.  The nuclear reactor was the first one to light an entire town (Arco) and not just a building or light blub.  The museum was pretty cool and we spent an hour on a tour and learning about Nuclear power.

Here are a few pictures of the the falls in Idaho Falls including a picture of the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

Craters of the Moon -- Arco, Idaho

After three solid weeks at the hatchery, Quent and I were able to get away for a few days.  Our first stop was Arco, Idaho and Craters of the Moon National Monument.  If you've never been to central Idaho, I strongly recommend it.

Neither of us had ever been to Craters of the Moon and decided that it was time to drive the three hours to see the miles and miles (and miles) of lava rock.  The national monument was formed over 2,000 years ago, the last time the volcano erupted.  We were able to walk around the park, walk through the lava fields, Quent hiked through one of the caves and we were there while the wild flowers were blooming.  Here are a few of the pictures.

Update coming soon....

I have been a total blog slacker over the past six weeks, please forgive me!  Quent and I are out on another adventure....a National Park Safari from Craters of the Moon to Yellowstone.  I promise a six week update and pictures when I get back....

Tearing out the Driveway

The hatchery was scheduled to get asphalt a few months ago but due to the weather it got pushed back.  As part of the construction, we were to get a new driveway.  While the asphalt isn't finished, our driveway is. 

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school and it didn't come soon enough.  The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy and the weather has been horrible.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing and fun summer!

Grandma in the House!

Grandma came down to visit with the family for a couple of weeks and after the weekend of snow, she stayed at our house until Thursday night.  While grandma was in town we managed to go out to dinner, play some Phase 10 and just hang out.  I had to work for a couple of days while she was here and Quent was over at the hatchery.  We set her up with the Western Channel and the Game Show Channel and she was set for the day! 

Thursday night we headed down to my parents house for chicken and heartattack potatoes, the dinner we were supposed to have on Sunday night while camping.  It was good to get the family together one last time while grandma was in town.

Grandma left Friday morning, we're looking forward to visiting her in Cody later this summer.

Dinner with Nancy

Nancy was in town over Memorial Day to visit with the family as she hasn't been out here in awhile.  Due to Quent's work schedule and other previously scheduled plans we didn't get much time to see her.  On Tuesday night we went down to Red Robin in Layton to have dinner with Nancy and Joyce.  It was good to see Nancy and catch up a little bit. 

Did someone order snow?

Memorial Day always means camping with my family.  We've camped all over the state of Utah and this year the camping trip was at the Box Elder Campground, in Mantua (convenient for me).  We had a great time Friday night fixing dinner, setting up camp and hanging out around the camp fire.  Saturday we went fishing, four-wheeling, and hung out at camp.  Saturday night we made dutch oven pizzas, it was really fun to see all the dutch ovens all lined up.  We had dutch oven cobbler to top off Saturday night.  The rain started Saturday night about 9 p.m. and didn't stop.

Unfortunately we woke up to snow Sunday morning and it really packed a punch, there was so much water in an already saturated ground that the mud was swishy and too messy to continue camping.  We broke camp Sunday morning instead of Monday morning.

Grandma was in town for the camping trip and she stayed at my house instead of a tent over at the campground.  Everyone went home Sunday afternoon, my parents stayed at my house with grandma.  My parents went home Monday night.   It was a fun weekend despite the snow.

Around the Hatchery

Spring has sprung and we've got flowers, animals and pollen!  Here are a couple of pictures.