Hot Spring Cruise Redux

May 15 2012 - HI VALLEY RV PARK, Boise Idaho and we are at the mid point of our voyage. Nat Soo Pah Hot Springs was an oasis in the middle of a sage brush desert. When we arrived last Friday Nat Soo Pah was buzzing with the activity of a boy scout outing - scouts, dads and tents everywhere. Luckily, we were assigned a site at the far end of the row, so our patio side was open to a field. The field looked like open grazing as it was sage brush with cows. It was fenced and doubled as the dog walk. Jack loved passing muster on all dogs who were walked in and out. Nat Soo Pah facilities included about two acres of camping and RV spaces in a beautifully wooded glen. The pool is outdoors behind a wood fence. The main pool is 40X80 feet and 95 degrees. There are two smaller hot pools, one an 8 foot circular - the other rectangular and 10 X 18. Both were held at 104 degrees or so. We waited for the scouts to break camp to soak. The soak was great. Saturday evening we had a planning epiphany. We had scheduled a stay at Indian Falls Hot Springs, then a couple of days at Lava, then to Yellowstone. While registering at Fishing Bridge Campground, the only RV park in Yellowstone, it came up that no dogs were allowed - which pretty much rejects the pack. We were already troubled by there being no RV parks at Lava Hot Springs that appeared to be convenient to the pools, we were sated with soaking, and tired of the desert. We considered where we were in our travels and decided to return to the Pacific Coast. Our return took us back to the valley of 1000 springs along the Snake River. We stayed at the 1000 Springs RV park - arrived to a full park on Mothers Day and by days end we were one of only three campers remaining. Prehistoric lava flow created a canyon wall where a multitude of springs spewed water from the rock face of the canyon - quite spectacular. We are now at HI VALLEY RV PARK in Eagle (actually Boise). It has no particular draw beyond very clean and efficient. They even have cotton bath mats in the shower room. We don't know our next destination yet. The sun is just rising. We may head back across mid Oregon, or up Highway 84. Maybe we'll flip a coin.