Enjoying Tourism In My Own Backyard

Tis the season for travel. Over the past few week's, I've lived vicariously through old friends as they've traveled to some amazing places and shared their photos via the Internet. I've seen some amazing pictures of Rome, Greece, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Hawaii and many, many more. While I will admit to feeling the slightest twinge of jealousy, I am so happy for my friends and family that get to travel. I'm also loving the technology that allows me to view their amazing photos and be invited along on the trip!

Rather than feeling discouraged about the fact that I've pretty much never left the state I live in, I decided to relish the places in my own backyard. The town I live in is home to the beautifully scenic Snake River Canyon. In 1974, famous daredevil Evil Knievel attempted to jump the canyon with his Skycycle. While this occurred a few years before I was born, it's still remembered well by lifelong residents around here, and one of the trails I enjoy walking/running leads to the jump site.

On the west side of this scenic canyon is the Blue Lakes Country Club and Golf Course. There is also a fish hatchery on this side. In the winter time, waterfalls that dot the canyon walls freeze, creating an equisite masterpiece that most tourists probably rarely see, as the peak of tourism occurs in the summer months.

On the east side of the Canyon is Shoshone Falls, Dierkes Lake, and Twin Falls. Most of the photos to the right were taken at Shoshone Falls, as this is my favorite place to visit. I was married here, and when life is hectic and stressful and I'm at my wit's end, taking the 5 minute drive to the canyon, parking at the toll booth, and then walking down into the Shoshone Falls park, back up along the canyon trail to the jump site and then back out is my little form of therapy.

The serenity and calmness of nature feels the same no matter what time of year I make this little jaunt. Even in the burning heat of a hot summer day, there are moments when you walk into a shadow created by the dense foliage on either side, and feel immediately at peace. The combination of the moist, musty smell in the air, the sounds of birds flittering and bugs buzzing, the slight trickle of water combine to create an orchestra that is nearly indescribable. During a crisp winter day, the quiet is palpable. The crystalline features of the still waterfalls give the feeling of being frozen in time. During really high water seasons when the falls are going at full force, even walking along the trail above the falls, the mist and spray from the 212 feet high falls lands on your face in a refreshing and surprising manner.

For the first 30 years or so of my life, I drove across the 1500 foot long Perrine Bridge that lies 486 feet above the water and never really gave it a second thought. I always seemed a little surprised to see the flocks of tourists driving to the falls in the summer when I would head to Dierkes Lake with friends. But as life gets hectic, and you get older and realize you haven't been able to do the things you wanted to do, and realize you may never do them, you sort of take stock in what is around you. So what if I never get to visit Greece? Who cares if I never get to take that African Safari? It may not be the Eiffel Tower, but I have an amazing historical landmark that is an enormous source of peace and serenity right in my own backyard.

All photos were taken personally by me. As you can tell by my meidocre photography skills, no copyright ingringement took place. If it had, the photos would be MUCH better!