"As far as the eye can reach, there is nothing but this black volcanic rock. This region must have received some terrible scorching and shaking years ago. These rocks are thrown up in every conceivable shape. Some are like columns fifteen or twenty feet in height, and I often wondered how it became so well balanced to stand without propping. Again it would be thrown up like the roof of a house, with the top edges a few feet apart leaving a chasm many feet in depth between. It appeared to be a crust from two to four feet in depth that when cooled was then rent asunder by some pent up gases. I saw many places where it had the appearance of running when quite thick. Upon the outer edge of the stream it would seem to cool and that the more hot would press forward, leaving it wrinkled. Sometimes it would overflow and form a new crust, which might be easily removed. I can give no just description of it. It must be seen to be appreciated."

ETSI, pg. 146

"The road was very cracked, as it followed along the edge of the hills most of the time, this being the only route possible on account of this black rock. It was like following along a rough beach. When some steep point or bluff would run out into this rock, we would expect to see our wagons smashed."

ETSI, pg. 148

Directions: Hwy 20 east of Carey and west of Arco

Must See: Craters of the Moon National Monument

Current Observations/Journal Entry:

"We pull up at an observation point outside Craters and are taking some photographs, looking at the different types of lava, when two other vehicles pull off the paved road. They come to a quick halt and the cloud of dust greets us just ahead of the people. Much to my astonishment a man gives no thought to his children darting off out into the lava—snakes could be there and the lava can cut through skin. Adding to my amazement, the man says, 'Is this all there is?' Once I recover from all of this, I am able to take in the natural wonder of the site. I see heat waves rippling off of the lava; the trees are leaning to the southeast, pushed as they grew by the prevailing winds no doubt, and the smoother rings of lava encircle chunkier lava. Finer cinder domes lie to the east of this vantage point. My eyes are drawn to little yellow flowers since they contrast with the black lava; the pine or juniper trees are pretty too. The visitor center has nice exhibits; I dig the names of the different types of lava: AA and pahoehoe! I am hungry and looking forward to lunch in Arco; we're going to try a BBQ place that's gotten good word of mouth. Food—always of interest and importance! To us now and to the emigrants in the 1880's."