Have you got a hankering for an outing to someplace in southwestern Idaho that’s unique? Well howdy, ho! Mister and I took the kids to that very place the other day! We’d heard about Cleo’s Ferry Museum & Nature Trail a few times and had been wanting to take Little Lady, Little Red and Little Man there, so this weekend was the perfect opportunity.
It’s about a 45 minute drive from our location, down highway 45 which leads into Melba, Idaho. Take a left at Dan’s Ferry Gas Station and follow the unmarked private road (white fencing lining the road), keep driving where you’ll see the signs pictured above and where to park. If you cross the Snake River, you’ve gone too far, so turn around, cowboy! No dogs are allowed due to wildlife. There is no set fee, just a donation box and sign in.
Upon our the beginning of our walking tour, we heard and saw peacocks, which we see on our road but they’re still fun to see. Especially the albino peacock!
At first, it’s pretty much historical and very cool to read about and see the buildings. Imagining people during the years of 1863-1921 arriving and leaving via a ferry in this area, was neat to ponder.
Then the quirky, whimsical and spiritual walk began!
The photos that include a fun rainbow, is a fairly easy hike that at the midpoint, has a prayer chapel with benches to rest. Little Man and Little Lady booked it up to the top of the hill and over to the rainbow. Little Red’s legs were tired, so she and Mister sat a spell and enjoyed the view of the Snake River down below. On the way down the hill, we descended parallel to the hiking trail because of the very fine, loose gravel. It’s not steep but even with hiking or running shoes, you’ll have a good chance of sliding, unless you’re a three year old. Yes, Little Man was insistent on putting his own shoes on which he put on the wrong feet and yet somehow, resembled a mountain goat going up and down the hill. The wrong foot/shoe debacle? Little Man was as happy as a clam, so Mister and I rolled with it.
If you get a chance, take a drive out to this walking museum, Cleo’s Ferry Museum and Nature Trail and enjoy all the scenery . . . natural and man made. It’s worth the drive!
*wheelchair accessible, NO dogs, free
Leave a Reply