Route 12 Through Idaho

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

My first experience with Idaho happened almost a decade ago and it was a strange one. I’m not going to go into all of the details but sufficeth to say it left a weird mark on my mind and up until this Wednesday I was hesitant to say there was anything good about the state except the tater tots. That changed on August 5th as I took Route 12 across the entire state on my way to Montana and Wyoming.

I was headed to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks but first I had to cross the great divide that is Idaho. I didn’t want to take the interstate so the southern route was out. I didn’t want to take the northern route either even though it would be the quickest way to get me out of the state. I settled on Route 12. With over 200 miles of very curvy road, Route 12 followed the Clearwater River. For the next 4 hours I was treated to amazing vistas as I snaked across the state. It was beautiful. I stopped at multiple points along the road to try and capture some of that beauty which, at least in my eyes, redeemed my experience from so long ago. Now I would say I would be more than happy to return to explore all of the things that Clearwater River and Idaho may have to offer.

One last story of note. Before leaving Washington state I passed through Pomeroy, a little town about 35 miles from the border of Idaho. I had just glanced out of my window as I passed an almost roadside graveyard when I saw the sign for Jim’s Fertilizer placed in such a way that I had to stop. Maybe I’ve been in the journalism business too long but the irony wasn’t lost on me. I took a few quick snaps and headed back on my way…