Montana Trip - Day 10

[woke up around 0700L - wanted to sleep longer, but got started anyway - packed up and checked out of my room - on the road by 0845L - got on I-15 and drove north, not really knowing which direction I would go (had emailed a work friend to see if he would be in Boise, but I didn't get his reply until late in the day) - there were some clouds to the west, so I continued on I-15 at the I-84 split - stopped at the Idaho vistor's center (Malad) - got gas (and Subway, lunch) in Pocatello - left interstate at Blackfoot (US-26) - intersected with US-20 and drove towards Arco - on the way (crossing Idaho Nuclear Laboratory - INL), saw signs for EBR-I - wondered what it was - then realized that it was the site of the first nuclear power plant - stopped to take a tour of the site (very interesting - described use of NaK, "Nack" - an alternative coolant) - chatted with the tour guides for a bit, learned that the Navy Nuclear Power training site (nearby) was discontinued - they test the nuclear batteries for space missions here, too - back on US-20/26 and made a wrong turn at Arco (bad signage...) - quickly realized error (I was on I-93...), though - back into Arco and drove southwest until I reached the Craters of the Moon National Monument - toured visitor center (light rain coming down) - drove though park, walking on several trails: [first lava field], Devil's Orchard (preachy displays by National Park Foundation), [Infierno Cone] - the whole place was a combination of Sunset Crater and Valley of Fire - last walk was on a trail that took me to caves - went inside one (Dewdrop Cave) - talked with another hiker on the way back (almost exactly same itinerary...) - saw NAS JRB car in parking lot (small world) - backtracked to US-20/US-26 split - took road to Idaho Falls - more traffic - dinner at Arbys - then drove through town (crossing Snake River again) - followed river on US-26 and US-89 - multiple stops along the way (reservoir, etc.) - saw sheep, signs for bear (warnings!) - drizzle, but not bad - great views of mountains as I came into Jackson Hole - got a hotel (Rawhide) - family called - walked around in town (unique shops) - best "ski town" I've visited on the trip! - had a drink (Snake River Lager) at Town Square Tavern - another drink (Snake River Heffeveisan) and paltry bruschetta at Silver Bullet Bar, sitting outside (on street) - weather very pleasant - picked up souvenirs - back in room, watched TV, took care of some bills and emails - bed just after midnight...]