Questor goes soaking in natural hot springs - Day 1

Hello All.

Last weekend we experienced record setting high temperatures here in the Idaho Falls "Valley" so the smart thing to do was to get out of town and into the mountains for cooler temperatures.

To do that I headed out across the high desert of Arco and into the Salmon - Challis National Forest. Aside from the great scenery, there is a nice natural hot spring that I like to go to to soak my cares away and spend an evening camping by the Salmon River.

Day 1:

So Saturday morning, I load up "Tiger" my trusty 04 KTM 950 Adventure, and we head out of town.


We fill up on non-ethanol fuel, and head out into the high desert towards Arco.




Three big Buttes in the distance.


Wide open spaces and 75 mph...


Out here is where the Idaho National Laboratory tests designs for new nuclear reactors.


You can see one out there in the distance.


Don't go try to visit one. The guys with the black helicopters don't like it when people do. :eek1

So Tiger and I mind our own business and keep riding.


We stop in Arco to top off on fuel and see the sail of the nuclear powered submarine.


Leaving Arco, we keep heading North West.








14K foot mountains in the distance.


I love this valley.




Mt. Bora.












Finally we leave the pavement and take a shortcut to the next valley.




It feels good to have dirt and gravel under our wheels for a change.












At 50+ mph, you don't feel the washboards.










A self-portrait while riding.






We're in the next valley now. We need to head north a bit.




We meet up with the Salmon River and Rt 75, and head west.






Were getting close to our secret location.


We pull over and there it is!


Swimming and Hot Springs make a happy Questor!


And I had the place to myself!
I had brought a six pack of beer and got to soaking!

You can mix your own temperature! I like it about 130.

After a few hours of soaking we took a break.
I dug out the latest copy of Overland Journal...


Set up the Kermit Chair...


and read about exotic places and cool vehicles, all the while sipping river cold beer.


Around 8pm it's time to head to my secret campsite.
Can you see it?


It's just off the road by the river. Nobody looks down there while driving.
They are all paying attention to the curve of the road.


So stealthfully I set up Camp Snuggly.




Soon it starts to get dark, and I make a small fire.




I set up the Kermit chair again and relax and watch the stars come out.




According to the camera, I fell asleep around 10:30pm.

A nice day.
Q~

It was a wonderful cool night.
I awoke to the sounds of the river and chirping birds.


I took down Camp Snuggly, and headed into Stanly for Espresso and a Breakfast Burrito.


Stopped at the coffee place.


Then to the breakfast place.


Yummy!


Then we gear up, and settle in for the ride back to Idaho Falls.








We take a slightly different route home.
















This road goes directly into a mountain...




Back in the desert near Arco.


There are those Buttes again.


The final stretch home.


Total mileage about 350 miles.

A nice weekend ride.

Thanks for coming along.
Q~

I can appreciate some solitude and the simple pleasures of some water, some sun, and lots of open space. And a fat burrito is just icing on the cake !
Well played, sir !

Brent

Thanks for the ride and pics. You travel and camp well.

Nice, Q. I definitely need to make it out there to visit!

--mark

Very nice, makes me want to go camping!

Nice. I was in Stanley over Memorial day Weekend. Peeps were in the tub when we got there. We did soak at Bonneville HS tho!!

Very nice. We been up & down Idaho but haven't made it to Stanley yet. It's one of our goals. We'd like to spend a few days there as a base camp.

Nice pics!

Questor,
Will be in your area twice this year. July taking wife & daughter up to Baniff. Than I'm coming back on my Tiger Explorer to the Stanley Stomp. Maybe I can find this places to soak in and camp. I always enjoy your R&R's.

One of my favorite ride reporters, riding solo out the wide open spaces. Hmmm that tail bag looks interesting, looks like something I would like to buy.

Thanks for sharing!

Went through that area a few years ago...awesome! You are blessed to have quick access to such beauty. Us "flatlanders" appreciate the posting!

I'll add my compliments. The hot spring with adjustable water mixing looks very inviting.

Always enjoy a Questor ride report. Love the hot tub.

Very nice pictures. Looks like a great weekend.

I absolutely love rides like that. It's hard to beat the sound of the river running right next to your camp as you contentedly drift off to dream land. Beautiful weather a good soak and sweet solitude. I get it. Well done

Love that area! I'm up in Western Montana, and drive through there often as I have family in Boise. I'm looking forward to getting a dual sport machine and getting off the pavement, nice RR...

Thanks! I always enjoy a Questor ride report.

Hey Q!

When we went through, someone was in your secret spot, so Matt and I took the next one down the road...





Also, your breakfast looked a lot better than mine!

Thanks for the report!
It's so nice to see that you've been out riding and enjoying yourself.