31 Aug 2022 - Mesa Falls, Forest Fire and Cocktails with Texas Allys

 31 Aug

This morning we slept in a bit, did some maintenance on the RV, walked the dog and other housekeeping tasks here.  After lunch we headed 20 miles south to Mesa Falls, but before we left there was visible smoke coming from the mountain behind our campground, and there were firefighting helicopters flying overhead and obviously refilling their water bladders in Henry Lake just north of us.  Forest fires are a big deal here as they can spread so rapidly and cause so much damage.  It is quite the sight to see them fly overhead. 

This is nearly right over our campsite.

 Heading south to Mesa Falls, the fire was very evident just to our west, south of our campground.  Doreen captured several pictures of the smoke:

We continued south and then east to Mesa Falls.  The parking lot was nearly empty and we made our way to the beautiful visitor center, called the Big Falls Inn.

 

 The history of this facility is amazing.  In 1915 the Big Falls Inn was built by the Snake River Electric Light and Power Company.  They intended it be used as an office and for the workers.  The Montana Power Company bought it in 1936 for a company headquarters and retreat, but the power plant was never built.  It evolved into a place for social gatherings with a café, a hotel and dance hall.  Later it was used as a way station for tourists, sportsmen, etc.  During it's time it also served as a police lodge and  a Boy Scout camp.  In 1986 it was converted to a forest service visitor center.  Check out the inside:

Awesome!

The park ranger inside was very helpful and informative.  She guided us to the best route to view the falls.  There is an alternate route that is accessible to those with mobility issues , strollers, etc

Mesa Falls did not disappoint!  Their viewing path takes you right up to the falls, very close!  We were amazed at the rock formations, the towering trees,  the mist created by the falls and the sunlight reflecting off of it, and of course the incredible power of the water creating the falls.  The sound if deafening!  Some pics:  

We returned to the campground and had some dinner and then headed over to an area where several of our Texas Alliance owners were dry camping (no hookups).  "Dry" campers use their onboard fresh water tank for their water source,  They store their grey and black wastes in onboard tanks and then dump them at a dumping facility later, and they use solar, onboard generator or both as their power source.  It was great to see Charles & Leslie Tyer, Mark & Angie Page and Jim& Debbie Caldwell again!  We sat by the Henry Fork stream and listened to the cattle wandering about here!  We also got quite a view of the firefighting aircraft passing overhead as they refilled with water in Henry Lake and then dumped on the nearby forest fire.

One of three firefighting aircraft flying overhead

Their campsite right on the stream.

It was great to visit with these guys again and we shared some cocktails and snacks before heading back to the campground.  This picture may not clearly show it, but check out what the altitude change did to this bag of tortilla chips!  It was about to explode!

The Texas Allies are headed to the Grand Tetons tomorrow and we will follow the next day.  The next time we will likely see them is when we attend the Texas Alliance Rally in May next year at the Jamaica Beach RV Resort south of Galveston TX.

That's it for Wednesday's adventures posted a bit late.  Thursday (today) we plan to head into Yellowstone for a bit and then do some shopping in West Yellowstone before heading back here to start wrapping things up for our departure tomorrow.