The Craters Of The Moon and Hell's Half Acre

Craters Of The Moon And Hell's Half Acre...

We were searching online for things to do but most things are closed this time of year. (Kind of obvious but a bummer as well). We were hoping to get out and do some hiking and see whatever there is to see out in Idaho. The temperature in Idaho Falls area has been consistently 15-25 degrees warmer than in Ohio so we were very happy to have an early Spring....and bummed to think about having to go back to Winter in Ohio!!! We came across several parks and decided to just go...even if it was closed. 


We came across a hillside in the town of Arco that had what seemed to be each graduating school year etched/painted in the side of it.   

 We were very nervous driving to Craters of the Moon because it was supposed to be closed. We arrived to open gates and FREE admission! There was a sign posted that said something like "during closed season admission is free." 

 Havilah loving being out of the car! 

 Jireh loves being outside and we found out she likes small patches of snow...but hates a lot of snow on the ground. She became very independent this past week wanting to do everything for herself and wanting no help...with the exception of a held hand every once in a while to get over/through/around/up something.

 Crazy that there is a random road that leads to this lava rock "wasteland" that is the size of Rhode Island! 

  

 The camera just doesn't capture the beauty of this place! 

 Ephraim was loving how lightweight the lava rocks were! Made him feel extra strong! :)

 Having a snowball throwing contest. Enjoying playing in the snow in the warm weather....dont let the jacket fool you....i took it off minutes later because it was so warm!

 The Gerrick Family Shadow Picture.

 Havilah got hungry and needed a snack while the kids ran around. 

 See that hill...the kids went up it without any help from us. Ephraim ran up most of it...Luke and I could NOT keep up with him!!! 

 Jireh kept wanting to go around it instead of up it so she had to get redirected a few times! LOL

 1/2 way up the lava cinder hill

 Ephraim is at the very top waiting for us to hurry up! 

 His first official summit! hahaha

 And hes off running again!

 It was windy up top

 Daddy with the kids behind a rock on top trying to stay out of the wind.

 A clear day = A clear view of the mountain range in the distance = BREATH TAKING!

 Super cool tree with a super cool kid in front of it!

 This was the only wildlife we saw and the blue stood out against the rock and was spotted from very far away. My camera is zoomed as much as it can be...which is why its so blurry. (On another note: Ephraim was hoping we would see a bear so he could kill it for us)

 The obvious flow of lava...

 I wish you could see the mountains in the distance as we could this day. Amazing!

 This area of Idaho is where there was and still is nuclear testing. 

Hell's Half Acre

 Yeah, we didn't care......we figured if they really didnt want someone going through they would have had an armed guard! LOL JK!!!

 Back in the car again...."Nooooooo!" 

 Snack time....we missed lunch and were all starving after our hike.