
As we left Manhattan, Montana, thankfully it wasn’t foggy but we could see our breath outside. Time to move SOUTH, we said! HA We got into a little rain in Blackfoot, Idaho, but it didn’t slow traffic down at all. We got to Massacre Rocks State Park campground in American Falls, Idaho, and didn’t see any signs for check in so we went right to our campsite. Our site was 42 and let me tell you, I picked good! I had picked this one with open sky for Starlink (footnote 1) and yes, it is the only fully open sky site…and…full view of the Snake River so close with steep ridges on the other side, topped with volcanic rock. Just beautiful. Later we got set up and then went to the visitor center. The ranger was so friendly.


One afternoon we drove 43 miles to Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Blackfoot for Find A Grave (footnote 2). This is a very new cemetery; huge lovely grounds and just two walls of cremations and two small sections of headstones. It was an honor to take headstone photos. On the way home (footnote 3), we saw harvesting of sugar beets and what a thrill! We saw the plants and then a mower would slice off the green tops. Next came machines that picked up the sugar beets and put them in a hopper. Down a ways they went into a truck. We pulled to the side and watched for a little bit. On down we saw huge piles of sugar beets on the parking lot. I just couldn’t figure out why they would dump them there and then with the loader load them into long semi trucks. We guessed they must be harvesting faster than they have trucks. Pulled over and watched that, too. Very busy areas and lots of truck around plus the farm equipment.


Kevin wanted to find where Matt’s Off Road Recovery, on YouTube, had come up here to Massacre Rocks State Park from St George, Utah, to get a wrecked car out of this state park. The ranger, who was in the video, told us all about it and the recovery. We walked to the place and we definitely saw where the wrecker had been and where they had four vehicles hooked to the wrecker so it wouldn’t go down the cliff.

Massacre Rocks State Park is a great place to get away and relax but close enough to Pocatello if you need supplies. We spent a lot of time sitting outside, enjoying the views, reading, and relaxing.

*The blog posts are taken from my daily travel journal. Would you believe – it takes me a 1/2 day every week to whittle down a week’s worth of journal so it won’t be too long for the post each week. HAHA Thank you for reading!
- Starlink is satellite internet. It works even when you are out of cell coverage area. You can make phone call through it, too. The company named the user terminal “Dishy McFlatface” and every calls it “Dishy” for short. 🙂
- Find A Grave – https://www.findagrave.com/about
- “Home” is where we park it. Home is our 2022 Alliance Avenue, 36 ft, 5th wheel.
It’s interesting to note that there’s a Manhattan, Montana. We lived in Manhattan, Kansas years ago. Anyway, I’ve never been to Idaho – just driven through the state – so I liked your pictures to see what it looks like. Your site looks great. I think we saw beginnings of the sugar beet harvest in Nebraska. They employ a lot of people who work nomadically, a very different sort of industry! I’m looking forward to hearing where “south” you are going to go.
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We have been to Manhattan, Kansas before. Nice area.
Idaho, like Utah and Colorado, have very diverse landscapes in each state and that is what makes them extra special, I think. 😃
We have heard of the harvesters who do grain across states. I hadn’t thought about sugar beets. Neat to know.
Thanks for you nice comments.
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Oh, Charla! This looks so beautiful! You done good. Sometimes we spend a lot of time planning the route, which campground and which site. But it’s worth it! I love how you stop and watched the beet harvest. I’ve never been to Idaho, but I hope to someday! Safe travels!
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Thanks! I really enjoy planning, as you know. 🙂 Yes, you need to get farther west sometimes in your adventures. So many beautiful, unique, and amazing places in this country and world. Love it!!!
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Definitely need to do that!
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We lived in Rigby, Idaho for about a year and a half. Maybe about an hour north of Pocatello. We never made it to massacre rock State park. It was on my bucket list and we never did get that one checked off.
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Maybe you will be able to check it off your list someday. Isn’t there so many fabulous places to see and discover!?!
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So Many fabulous places!
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You do a great editing job, Charla. Over 40 years ago, when I was on maternity leave with our daughter, I took a distance course in writing. My first assignment took four submissions before they passed me. Every assignment came back with the comment, “Good job, now cut it in half but keep the meaning”.
Your photos are beautiful and truly capture the amazing scenery of Idaho. We’ve been through there a few times, and your pics bring back memories of those stunning landscapes, so thank you!
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Thanks for your encouraging words! I really enjoy reading your blog. Glad this brought back great memories for you.
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Those are some incredible views of the landscape! I have never seen a mountain of beets before, either!
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I think it is so neat when we see something and want to know more. So thankful for the internet and how we can look up information. Have a great day!
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Thanks–it is cold and rainy here–you might need to go further south!
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Sunny and 70 degrees right now where we are. Well, snuggle up, read a book, and have that sweet honey of yours make more pancakes. 😋😃
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