Leaving Bannack State Park to drive to Arco, Idaho, we had two choices: back-track to Dillon to catch I-15 or the scenic route, which was also the recommended route. I opted for the scenic route as I was going to be driving while Tony checked in with work. The first 12 miles out were on a gravel road, Bannack Bench Road. Of course, the first couple of miles were fine, but then the road narrowed a bit, had some small hills, and the rain had made the road a bit muddy. I had to creep along to prevent us from sliding into the ditch. Usain does not have four-wheel drive. Needless to say, Tony put away his computer and helped me find the best parts of the road to get traction. The final slope up to highway 324 was a bit scary looking, but slow and steady put us back on pavement.

After a million-point turnaround on the deserted highway, we thought we would have smooth sailing into Idaho. We were past the Shoshone Ridge Interpretive Site, when the road became a dirt (i.e.muddy) road again, with construction signs and “rough road” signs. ugh! We pulled over, and a trucker behind us pulled up and came over to talk with us. He said he was turning around, so we did, too. We were able to take 324 back to I-15 for a safer drive to Idaho. We saw our mud-streaks on the road at the Bannack Bench Road intersection.

Our stopping place for two nights is at Mountain View RV Park and Restaurant in Arco, ID. It has a really nice view of Number Hill which is where each graduating class paints their number above the town. The bathhouse is nice and the restaurant has BBQ from its North Carolina owners who moved out here four years ago. This will be a good spot to go visit Craters of the Moon National Monument.

It was rainy today, and Tony needed some work time, so I grabbed an extra night here, and made plans for tomorrow.