2-day Ride to Idaho's Lost River and Lemhi Ranges

[SpudRider]

I am sorry to say that the Fall weather has arrived in Idaho, with a vengeance. :( Anticipating Fall’s arrival, I took a 2-day excursion to Idaho’s Lost River and Lemhi Ranges, while the weather was still very nice.

Traveling north and west, I left more familiar territory. After a short ride, I decided to stretch my legs with a short visit to Atomic City.





As the name implies, Atomic City is very close to the Idaho National Laboratory, a restricted-access facility that conducts Nuclear Research and Homeland Security operations.

https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/ser...jID=260&mode=2

I stopped the Zong short of the security gate for a quick photograph.



Riding farther west, I stopped for a quick photograph of INL facilities. Then I quickly returned to the highway, before security officers, and black helicopters arrived! 8O



After riding a short distance, I decided to visit the historic EBR-1 (Experimental Breeder Reactor 1) site, home of the world’s first atomic power plant. Tours are available during the summer months, but I arrived after the tourist season.

http://www.atomictourist.com/ebr.htm



Heading toward the Lost River Range, I stopped in Arco to fill my fuel tank, and my stomach. Arco is the town nearest to Craters of the Moon National Monument.

http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

In some areas of this National Monument, the lava flows and volcanic craters are so desolate, NASA used this site to train astronauts for the Apollo program’s lunar landings. 8O

http://www.nps.gov/archive/crmo/astronauts.htm

However, I was headed for the Lost River Range, so I did not visit Craters of the Moon on this excursion. I filled my gas tank, then headed inside the convenience market for some food. Near the front door I noticed this Wildfire 250 dual sport motorcycle!



I met the storeowner, and I discovered that he sells the Wildfire motorcycles; therefore, I requested, and received, the opportunity to test ride the Wildfire 250. I rode the bike around the parking lot; however, I am sorry to say this motorcycle looks a lot better than it rides! :( The Wildfire 250 is very tall, and the seat and suspension are both rock hard! I thanked the proprietor for the test ride, then went inside for lunch, thankful that I had purchased my Zong.

In the next installment I will continue my report as I ride north to Idaho’s tallest mountain.

Spud