Hi All,
Today we drove to Arco, ID to visit Craters of the Moon, a National Monument created by Calvin Coolidge in 1924.
The lava covered landscape was starkly beautiful. The trailside signs offered more insights. For example, this is not just any lava formation. It is a piece of the upper crater wall that was blasted out in a subsequent eruption and floated downhill on the flowing lava.
Limber pines have a tough life here.
Bright yellow and orange lichen were common. You all know about Alice Algae and Freddy Fungus taking a lichen to each other. Sadly their relationship is on the rocks.
The acid produced by the fungi eat away at the rocks to help create soil.
The shapes in the ribbons of lava are seen clearly here along with some hearty pioneer plants.
We climbed this cinder cone for a panoramic view. Those dots at the top are people, 28 stories up🙀.
The sticky molten lava bubbles with gas giving the hardened rock the look of Swiss cheese.
Many lava tubes formed caves large and small. Visitors gain access through sections of collapsed ceiling.
Walking through the lava cave we spotted other sections of collapsed roof. The small white spot is the moon. This is Craters of the Moon after all.
Fascinating history and geology plus another stamp in our bulging National Park Passport.
Love,
Sandy & Carl
Sandy & Carl
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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