August 21: What a Treat at Twin Falls

Wow! What a treat in Twin Falls – today’s ride took me nearly 300 miles out of my way in almost 100-degree heat to see one of the largest waterfalls in the United States. It was well worth the extra time, especially because I wanted to savor one of my last riding days of this summer’s adventure.

I had a couple extra hours of riding time available today and decided last night to use it to visit Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho. I had never been to this “Niagara of the West” before and was intrigued by its size. At a width of 900 feet and a height of 212 feet, it is even taller than Niagara.

So instead of heading west towards home from Boise this morning I turned the opposite direction and traveled about 140 miles south to the city of Twin Falls. After paying my entrance fee at the Shoshone Falls Park entrance, I meandered down the steep winding road on my bike to the overlook.

The falls were absolutely beautiful, cascading down the basalt canyon walls on two different levels, sending up a mist all around with a rainbow above. I stayed on the platform for several minutes, watching the water as it pooled between the two levels and then drained into the Snake River and flowed west towards its junction with the Columbia River.

I found it very fitting that my journey the rest of the day was essentially following the path of the water I had just observed. As I worked my way back west on interstate 84, I saw several more glimpses of the Snake River. Then after passing through Pendleton, I rode parallel to the Columbia River up until my turnoff for Goldendale, Washington.

Much of the view today was of the beautiful honey-colored rolling hills that I have seen over the last couple days. But after passing through La Grande, I noticed more farmland, creating patchwork like vistas of brown-, green-, and gold-colored fields. Turning north on highway 97 towards Goldendale, I was treated to a view of the Simcoe Mountains towering over the farmlands in the foreground. Another great day on the bike!