The drive today took us through mining towns and communities, including Anaconda. Asides from the unusual name, we didn't really notice this town until we were leaving and saw what looked like a black mountain. We knew immediately that this wasn't a natural feature and after quick look on Google, we found this is the home of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and what we were looking at was a huge slag heap. Cooper mining and smelting stopped in the 1980s but there is still a lot of waste left behind.
At the border with Idaho, we reached Lost Trail Pass and the start of the Salmon River Scenic Byway. Today, this is a ski resort called Lost Trail Powder Mountain but back in 1805, this was the site where famous explorers Lewis and Clark traveled when their native guide lost the trail.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a U.S. military expedition, led by Capt. Lewis and Lieut. Clark in 1804 until 1806 whose mission was to explore the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest. They traveled 8,000 miles by foot, horseback and by boat across 11 states. Maybe this was the first version of a MERTA road trip! Today parts of their trail are maintained by the National Park Service accessible for people to hike, bike or drive.
Whilst we stopped at Lost Trail Pass for a quick break, we did wonder how anyone managed to do a trip across this landscape back in the 1800s, the hardships and struggles they must have gone through, the determination they must have felt and the reward when they see landscapes such as the magnificent views we were looking at and then having to try to explain it to people back home without sounding like a mad-man dreaming of heaven.
With our minds back on our own trip, we headed down the Salmon River Scenic Byway which follows the same route that Lewis and Clark took whilst travelling along the Salmon River through the Salmon-Challis National Forest. We enjoyed reading the information stations dotted along the road learning more about their journey and the importance of the river.
We reached our Century 2 Campground and found we had a lovely spot right next to the Salmon River. Our tent neighbors were a lovely couple called Leeman and Mara and to make us feel at home, the campground owner put up a Union Jack flag outside his office This is one of those campsites we could have easily spent a lot more time at.
As we were driving into the campground, we saw that the town was hosting the Lewhi County Fair & Rodeo. Once pitched, we headed down to check it out. Entry to the fair was free and we enjoyed waking around the various competitions and stalls.
In the evening, the site also held a Rodeo. We had wanted to see a Rodeo but we couldn't line up our schedule with a rodeo in the Southern states, all hope of seeing one had gone until we reached Salmon. The tickets were only $14 per person and the amount of fun we had made them worth every single penny.
The Rodeo started with a lady riding a horse and flying the flag whilst the Johnny Cash song called the Ragged Old Flag was played. This was the first time we'd heard this song and we found it really thought provoking and for a foreigner, more powerful than the National Anthem at showing the American people's pride in their country and their independence.
The events included bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, ladies barrel race and bull riding. There was also a special act from a Mexican cowboy who blew us away when he managed to get the horse he was riding to lie down and then get up again all whilst he was spinning his lasso.
Like any good fair, there was also a raffle. It was run by the Salmon Search and Rescue team and first prize was a Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 riffle, second was a 60 litre cooler and third was a nights stay at a lodge with dinner. We did have to giggle to ourselves that only in America would first prize in a raffle be a gun!
After the Rodeo, we met up with Leeman and Mara and hit the town. Given there are only about 3,000 people who live in Salmon, we were surprised by the number of bars and clubs, all were kicking due to the Rodeo and there was a great party atmosphere. We went to Owl Club and listened to a live band in the garden until about 1am before heading back to the campsite and leaving those without a long journey tomorrow to continue partying into the morning.
Some lovely countryside and scenery, the very first pic on the vid is superb.
ReplyDeleteYour pitch looked great although was it the office (blue building) you backed on to, also closer to your neighbours than over campsites we've seen, just as well you liked them!
A great pitch by the river though and the photo of the two of you by the river is lovely.
I am not sure I like the rodeo most of the animals didn't look to happy with what was going on but I am sure it was an interesting thing to attend.
Looks like you had a good night out and the live band were cool, nice to meet up with your camp buddies as well.
Being an animal lover, I too had reservations about the rodeo. But in all honesty, the animals seemed perturbed more than anything - I guess they are used to the rigmarole?!
DeleteIt was a great experience, and internally I justify it as being a hell of a lot better than the quality of life many of the animals that end up on our dinner plates have.