Condoing in McCall

After leaving Missoula, on Monday morning, we headed southwest over Lolo Pass and back into Idaho. Driving the 100 mile Northwest Passage Scenic Byway (US 12) from the Montana border we followed Lewis and Clark's path toward the Columbia River. It was a very interesting and beautiful drive but slow. The drive wound through the mountains to the town of Kooskia. From there we drove south following the Little Salmon River to McCall where we spent a week in a condo.

We even had a one car garage.

 Our three bedroom, sleeps 10 unit was part of the
Aspen Village Complex.

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
The Snake River divides Idaho and Oregon within Hells Canyon and the National Recreation Area. We spent two days exploring Hells Canyon. The first day we followed the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway from Brownlee Dam, proceeding north, passing Oxbow Dam and finally Hells Canyon Dam and the end of the road at Hells Canyon Visitor Center.

Boat Launch North of Oxbow Dam

This paved road followed the Snake River north for 22 miles.

The scenic byway crossed Hell's Canyon Dam.

Just beyond the Dam the road terminated at the south
end of Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area.

We found the Pancake House and Christmas Store
in McCall. We didn't eat breakfast here but
ate dinner there twice.

A Day in Boise

Idaho State Capital Building built in 1905

The Rotunda renovated 2007

The Senate Chamber

The inner dome called the oculus, or eye of the dome.

Kurt rang this Liberty Bell replica.

After lunch at Chipotle we went to the Peregrine Fund, World Center for Birds of Prey. The main purpose of the center is to help restore rare species through captive breeding and releases. One of their success stories is the Peregrine Falcon. Current projects include the California Condor and the Aplomado Falcon. We enjoyed a live demonstration with "Bob" the American Kestrel as well as a Falcon Heritage Tour which explained the ancient art of falconry as well as an Arab falconry exhibit.



California Condors are highly endangered.
Only 22 individuals remained alive in 1982.



On our way to and from Boise we followed the
Payette River Scenic Byway.

Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area Jet Boat Trip
On Thursday morning we drove north to the small town of White Bird and met our tour company, Killgore Adventures, for the Hell's Canyon Wild River Tour through the Wilderness Area. This tour took us south on the Snake River through the biggest whitewater rapids and the deepest, most rugged part of Hell's Canyon. We traveled 32 miles upstream (south) to the Hell's Canyon Dam and Visitor Center. While at the Visitor Center they provided a very nice box lunch. After lunch the boat returned back downstream (north) to our launch point.

Our launch site, Pittsburg Landing, in
the National Recreation Area.

Homer, our trusty captain did a good job guiding the
boat around all the rocks and water hazards.

Our tour stopped at two historic sites, Kirkwood  Ranch
and Sheep Creek Cabin, accessible only by boat.

The afternoon was very warm and we got very wet
on the Wild Sheep Rapids, a class V, where we all
donned our life jackets.

Hell's Canyon Dam viewed from the River.

Outfitters and ranchers along the river get their
weekly mail delivered by boat.

Our last stop was the beach.

Payette Lake and Upper Payette Lake
McCall is located on the south shore of Payette Lake. We spent Friday and Saturday touring this beautiful area.

Picnic lunch on Upper Payette Lake

Ponderosa State Park on Payette Lake was only
two blocks from our condo.

We found a decent Mexican Restaurant with a great view
in McCall.

Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway
Returning east to Camas National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday we drove three separate scenic byways, Wildlife Canyon, Ponderosa Pine, and Salmon River Scenic Byway.