City of Rocks - Camping, Rock Climbing, Photography, Bird Watching...

City of Rocks National Reserve

Here, just an hour from Twin Falls, is the most fascinating City of Rocks! You will be in awe. World class rock climbing, fabulous scenery, really great camping areas, and wonderful photography opportunities. Game galore, deer abound, and a bird watcher's delight. Rock formations in this high desert atmosphere are just incredible. Many formations along this part of the California Trail can be accessed by pullouts along City of Rocks Road and Twin Sisters Road. The magnitude, shapes, and shear size of these rock formations can only be fully appreciated by a visit to this reserve. Crevices, enormous boulders, huge slabs, and uniquely featured faces exist throughout this wonder world.  Most climbing routes here utilize removable protection along with fixed protection, and may or may not be strongly protected. Internationally known City of Rocks National Reserve, is famous for highly technical rock climbing. Climbers ascend these peaks and various structures, they even come here from Europe and many other countries, to test their climbing skills, and enjoy the natural beauty present here. The nearest towns are Almo, and nearby Oakley. Very interesting, and very old towns, surrounded by a scattering of old log cabins, and other remnants of the old west. Stately old pioneer homes grace Oakley, and small as well as sprawling ranches are found in the surrounding countryside. In the center of City of Rocks the rock walls of the old stage coach stop remain steadfast. Boulders the size of a cabin tell the varied stories of the pioneers who passed through here in their covered wagons. Most names, dates, and bits of info were written on these rocks using wagon wheel grease. Some were carved into the granite-like surfaces. Most are still quite legible. There's much more to see and do in the City of Rocks Reserve. If you ever get to see it, you will not be disappointed. If you're a climber, you'll want to take your climbing gear, don't forget your camera, and even if you don't camp out, there's fantastic picnic areas. Enjoy!Rock Climbing

Twin Falls Idaho - General Dynamics

    It is claimed that the Twin Falls, Idaho, area history, travels back more than 10,000 years. Before the town of Twin Falls was founded by settlers in the early 19^th century, it was inhabited by a few Native American tribes. In 1959, evidence of human activities, including native american arrowheads and fascinating tools were discovered near the Wilson Butte Cave.
Twin Falls as we know it today was settled in the early 1800's by Robert Stuart and other settlers, some from the United States east coast. But the city of Twin Falls now has little resemblance to the small original settlement they started. However, much of the surrounding country hasn't changed all that much. 
Twin Falls today has a very bustling economy and enjoys a healthy, steady, and growing, stream of tourists. Tourist attractions in Twin Falls include many varied outdoor activities, there is great fly fishing much of the year, with over 200 sunny days average.  In the winter, it is only a half hour to two hours or so, to some of the greatest ski mountains & lodges in Idaho, including Schweitzer to the north or Silver Mountain. Other ski resorts in Idaho include Sun Valley, Soldier Mountain and Tamarack Resort. Magic Mountain & Pomerelle are within minutes to an hour of the city. Super now skiing, snow boarding, hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, para-sailing, flying, prospecting, and more can be enjoyed to the full here. Afford To Do It All
    The downtown area of Twin Falls, commonly referred to as Olde Town, is the site a fine restaurant or two, a very nice & rustic Trading Post & gun shop, and a good number of unique little shops, used merchandise stores, banks, and re-vitalized old buildings - now home to modern offices, barber shops, etc. Then north on Shoshone Street, enter Blue Lakes Boulevard, taking you to the more heavily developed part of the city. Nicer, bigger shopping malls, dozens of great restaurants, sporting good stores, fast foods galore, a brand new major hospital (just opened 5-21-11), and much, much more will greet you toward this end of Twin Falls, Idaho. The city here is built right up to the incredible Snake River Canyon. You can read more about this fascinating landmark in one of my former posts. All of this - in One Main Spot - Idaho! Go Where You Want to Go - Live Where You Want To Live - For Way Less!

Agriculture and more - in the High Desert

   What a little water won't do for the desert! New visitors or vacationers are often shocked to learn what an agricultural area the Magic Valley, in southern Idaho is. Tens of thousands of acres here are host to crops ranging from corn to potatoes, peas, hay, onions, barley, even water melons! Probably the predominant crop here is corn. Thousands of prolific acres of corn grow seven or eight feet high, maybe more. The Magic Valley provides much of the world with corn, Japan being a major consumer, among others. Enjoy Your Life
   An abundance of water comes from the snake river, and run-off from snow melts on the nearby mountains, is delivered mostly by an extensive canal system. The desert here blossoms with not only edible crops, but is home to a growing number of sod farms, vineyards and wineries, tree farms, and country landscape centers. There are high desert golf courses, besides the fabulous courses in the Snake River canyon, that are watered by countless hundreds (or thousands) or crystal clear springs. Live Better - Yet Cheaper
   These farms, vineyards, golf courses, and related industry, supply thousands of workers with gainful employment. Fish farms are numerous here in the Magic Valley. You'll find them both up on the desert plain, located usually on small winding streams, and much larger ones down in the Snake River canyon. The town of Buhl, just 14 miles west of Twin Falls, is the trout capital of the world. If you visit the Buhl area, just 4 miles north or town, down in the canyon, is Clear Lakes trout farm, a must see. Besides the millions of fish you'll see there, a very nice park with an underground tunnel leads to a large window. This gives a view of a show pond with huge trout, maybe a sturgeon or two, and other fish native to this area.
   Clear Lakes Country club is also located here, lush greens with beautiful home sites, trophy fish ponds, a restaurant & bar, all bordered by the Snake River on one side, and sheer canyon walls on the other. A real paradise exists here for the golfer, fisherman, boater, rafter, or kayak enthusiast. Or, it is simply a very nice place to take the kids for a picnic. The small town of Buhl is only a few miles up out of the canyon. Buhl has a couple small hotels, 2 larger grocery stores, an array of restaurants, and some interesting small stores and shops. More tourist attractions are nearby, maybe we'll reveal some of them in our next post. Hope you enjoyed today's taste of the Magic Valley of Idaho.



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Awesome Shoshone Falls - Minutes from Twin Falls

   Like I described in the last post, right on the northern border of Twin Falls is the Perrine bridge, leading right into the city. The canyon, as viewed from the bridge or overlooks, is an extremely impressive gateway into town. It is 486 feet straight down to the water of the snake river, to the west are the  Blue Lakes and Blue Lakes Country Club, golfers paradise, and fisherman alike. Abundant springs and waterfalls feed these lakes, as well as supply Twin Falls with water. Next, you might like to know about Shoshone Falls, a major sight to behold. 32 years here for me, and it never fails to amaze and mesmerize my family and myself.
   Shoshone Falls is only a couple miles upstream (to the east) of the city. Incredible rock walls, sculpted by the flowing water over many thousands of years, span clear across the canyon here. You can drive down the winding road to Shoshone Falls park, and Dierke's lakes. You will be in for a very special treat, be sure to have your camera with you. The falls are about 212' high, higher than Niagra falls. An-unfathomable volume of water tumbles from the Snake River off from these walls, especially in high water years, and before peak irrigation season. Right now the falls are outstanding, the flow is about 9,000 cubic feet per second!  How To See It All - And have the Money To Do It!
   The park offers a unique blend of recreational facilities, playgrounds, hiking trails, beautifully landscaped picnic areas, a boat ramp and swimming area, fishing, and a scenic overlooks. There is of course modern restrooms, picnic areas, a gift facility, and a food service/visitor center. Handicap access, and ample parking always. Short roadways lead to the popular Dierke's lakes - a favorite for fisherman, swimmers, and the bold souls who enjoy jumping from the many rock cliffs, and into the cold, clean water below.
   As a side note: there is a very small fee for entrance down into the park, only $3, and it is so well worth it. Shoshone Falls is just one of the "must see" attractions that are very close to the city of Twin Falls. My next post should likely reveal another great waterfall, just up-stream from Shoshone Falls. That one is Twin Falls, for which our city was named. Then, there is far, far more to see and do in just our small piece of the great state of Idaho. Hard to know where to begin, it will take some time acquaint you with our Magic Valley. We'll try to do just that, before we move on to other jewels in our Gem State - Idaho! Daily Life & Recreation - Cheap!

Idaho - One Main Spot

    Idaho, more precisely the Magic Valley, has been home for my family and myself for over three decades. We like to think of our unique location as "one main spot", for all of our needs. The primary purpose of this blog is to give some insight into the satisfaction and fulfillment that simply comes with living in this part of Idaho. I live in the Twin Falls area, population about 57,000, with everything one could want in the way of city life. Twin Falls is located in southwestern Idaho, only a forty minute drive to the Nevada line, only and hour north to famous Sun Valley. High desert country, minutes to mountains, lakes, reservoirs, or other towns.




    Bordered at the north end by the mighty Snake River, lined with hiking trails right near the canyon edge, modern shopping malls a stone's throw away, Twin Falls is entered north from the high desert terrain, by crossing the Perrine Bridge. Originally built in 1927, and since rebuilt for modern travel, the canyon here is a spectacular sight to behold. At this point, the Snake River is about 1500 feet wide, resting 486 feet above the Snake River. When built, it was the highest bridge in  the world. This bridge is world renowned for legal base jumping, and from it can be seen the huge dirt ramp that famous motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel made his ill-fated jump from. Below, deep in the canyon, lies the ever-changing, winding Snake River. Cheap Travel
    From the western side of the bridge, the pristine Blue Lakes are nestled below ice cold, crystal clear springs and waterfalls. So much water springs forth here, that it is the primary source of water for the entire city of Twin Falls. The most avid golfer will appreciate Blue Lakes Country Club, located here. Spectacular home sites abound in and above this canyon, as well as in the surrounding high desert country, also in multiple towns and cities strewn about on this desert floor. Vacation and recreational opportunities are endless. Vacation All The Time - Inexpensively
   The "short list" of things to enjoy might read: Countless campsites in the nearby South Hills, mountains that stretch all the way south into Nevada, all the way east to Utah. There are untold miles of trails there, hiking, a hunters heaven. Magic Mountain and Pomerelle are enjoyed by snow skiers, camera buffs, horseback riders, hunters, ATV'ers and motorcycle enthusiasts, fishermen and women, campers and explorers, just to name a few. Clean, clear streams, and alpine - like lakes dot this mountain range. There are old homesteads to explore, and a City of Rocks, visited by rock climbing enthusiasts from all over the globe. Step back in time here, as you read the inscriptions on enormous boulders, left by early pioneers, or see the old stage stop. Life in the Great Outdoors
   There's so much more to describe about our "one main spot", here in southern Idaho. Sprawling desert reservoirs, with trophy Walleye, trout, bass, and perch. A boaters paradise awaits at these water bodies, just an hour or less - in any direction. Please watch for future posts here, I'll attempt to share with you a larger glimpse of our local paradise, and eventually we'll move out to other gems, in the "gem state" - Idaho! How You Can See & Enjoy The U.S.A. With Very Little Cash