September 1 - Left West Yellowstone for Arco Idaho. According to the 2020 census the population of Arco was 879. Arco was the first community in the world to be lit by electricity generated solely by nuclear power (but only for an hour in 1955).
So, why Arco? Craters of the Moon National Monument. This whole area was covered with lava issued not from one volcano but from a series of deep fissures known as the Great Rift 15,000 years ago. The most recent eruption was about 2000 years ago. The area is covered with spatter cones, cinder cones, lava tubes and caves.
September 2 - Craters of the Moon
Lava Tube -
Entrance to Dewdrop Cave -
This is why they say you should wear long pants and long sleeve shirts - lava can be very sharp. Climbing down into this cave Vaughan brushed against a rock.
Entering Indian Cave -
Inferno Cone -
Here is Jill, Jim & Vaughan at the top.
Below, can you see the 3 little people standing on the top? That was my view of them without zooming in with the camera as above. The distance is very deceptive.
Hiking the Tree Molds trail - a large crater
When lava surrounded the trees over time the trees burned and disintegrated leaving a void where the trees stood.
After a long day, we went to Pickles Place for fried pickles and Atomic burgers.
Across the street is the preserved sail of the USS 666 Hawkbill submarine (otherwise known as the Devil Boat). After being decommissioned in 2000 it was placed here to honor Arco's long association with the Navy and nuclear fleet.
There was also a MK 14 torpedo that I just had to ride.
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