Stop 22: Salmon, ID

We had a long (233 miles) but interesting trip to Salmon. When we were planning this trip, we ordered some literature on Lewis and Clark and the Oregon Trial and our intent has been to see some of the historic locations related to both. I may have considered that in planning this stop but, honestly, I was surprised by the wealth of Lewis and Clark historical points along our route.

Coming up ID-28, we passed between the Lemhi Range and the Beaverhead Mountains (Lemhi, by the way was what the Mormons called the Shoshone - In the Book of Mormon, Lemhi was a king of the Nephites, a group that had initially been righteous but who "had fallen into a state of unbelief and awful wickedness"). In that gap, Sacajawea recognized Beaverhead Rock and knew that they were approaching the pass that would lead to her homeland. Lewis led a party over Lemhi Pass and, after identifying what he declared were the headwaters of the Missouri, ran into the Shoshone.
Conveniently, the chief was Sacajawea's brother. Needless to say, the Corps of Discovery had it made in the shade. The Shoshone set them up with horses and introduced them the the Nez Perce who would guide them through to the Columbia headwaters.

Along the way, Lewis and Clark considered going down the Salmon River. After about 40 miles, they decided that they'd never make it through the rapids.

Our campsite is at the side of the Salmon River. Like many that we've seen recently, it is at flood stage.

Looking out our door at the Salmon River. We were supposed to be in the campsite with the wood deck on the right. The office was closed when we got here and there was nothing to indicate which sight was ours. We considered that sight but decided that we'd rather be a little farther away from the flood, when it comes.

Looking upstream from that deck.

Downstream from that deck.

Our morning walk took us to downtown Salmon. We took some more pictures of the overflowing river.

This is just a small stream coming into the Salmon.

Picture from our sight. We've seen a lot of trees passing like express trains in the river but we've been waiting for this one to go.

We visited the Lemhi County Museum. It was very interesting but no pictures. Next stop was the Sacajawea Interpretive Center (very interesting).

The Bitterroot Mountains from the Interpretive Center.

Statue of Sacajawea and one of her children.

Statue of Meriwether Lewis' Newfoundland Seaman.

I wanted to mention that ID-28 is cattle country. There had, apparently, been a very recent cattle drive along the road. When we arrived at Salmon, the entire front of our trailer was green with cow manure. Trailer washing isn't permitted anywhere that we've been but, as I mentioned, no one was here to check us in. It was an emergency so we did do a quick wash.

-JC-