Pioneer Historic Byway

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The Pioneer Historic Byway is a 127 mile long route that traces the route of some of the early pioneers and is also the origional route to Yellowstone National Park.  There are many interesting things to see along the way!

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Come on, mom!  Let's go!
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It was strange to be driving along through these yellow-brown wheat fields and suddenly see a big patch of blue water that was a huge lake!
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In 1866 this area was known for its range wars.  For six years armed cattle ranchers prevented the settlement of the area by farmers.
This is an agricultural area and we saw mile after mile of wheat fields and other crops.
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This is the Last Chance Canal.  It was completed in the early 1900's and diverts the Bear River to irrigate the Grace Valley for farming.  Without it, and the canals it feeds, the area would not sustain farming. 
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Soda Springs was a well known stop for Oregon Trail travelers.  The geyser that exists here was accidently set free on November 30, 1937 by a well driller looking for a source of hot water for the local swimming pool.  Click here to visit the site.
The Ground Observer Corps began during WWII when civilian volunteers watched the skies for enemy planes.  This was one of the posts in Idaho.
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I had a lot of fun at Formation Spring!  Click here to see what I got to do!


This isn't a spa, it's Hooper Spring!  Click here to see more!
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These two hills are called "China Hat".  They are rhyolite domes that have intruded the basalt of the Blackfoot lava field.

Here's another big blue lake popping up out of the middle of nowhere!
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This is the Henry-Chester Country Store.  It was founded in 1884 by a Dutch pioneer.  Henry's store was destroyed by fire in 1906 and this building was constructed to replace it in 1908.  In 1917 Henry had one of the first great rodeos in the west.  It was called the Henry Stampede.
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These are more pictures of the countryside we saw as we traveled the Pioneer Historic Byway.
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My halo got a little bright
for this picture!
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Oooooo!  That feels good!
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