230 miles
$15: Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Idaho)

The drive in, and out, of the dispersed camping near Boise has a narrow spot on a ledge that reminds me of one of Frank DiBona’s Airstream PhotoShop masterpieces.

I had intended on driving all the way to the Grand Tetons, but something about Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve compelled me to stop. If you drove by not knowing what it was, you’d might be excused for thinking it was a place people went to dump truckloads of gravel.

Last time, I stopped into the visitor center, but never thought to stop and camp. Today, it’s noon and only 69 degrees. The lava-rock campground has a unique landscape.

If ever there were a place to stage a fake moon landing (I’m looking at you, Apollo 11), it would be here.

On to further adventures.