Monthly Archives: September 2022

The One Idaho Cave That’s Filled With Ancient Mysteries

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There’s something so endlessly fascinating about exploring Idaho’s caves. Learning about their unique pasts and how they were formed is an awesome venture in itself, but actually exploring one with your own two feet is an amazing experience unlike any other. Wilson Butte Cave is a relatively unknown cave hiding out in southern Idaho. It may be small but its history is definitely intriguing. In fact, the cave is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an ancient archaeological site. A visit to this cave is a must for any adventurer and you’re about to see why.

Hiding out on the vast and open Snake River Plain, just northeast of Twin Falls, is the Wilson Butte Cave. A lot of people are surprised to find out that this cave even exists, especially when they found out its historical significance.
GoogleMaps
Located on BLM land, the cave has a pretty odd appearance. It almost looks like a round bubble popping up from the earth. The cave is a lava tube cave composed of dark grey, almost black, basalt. According to radiocarbon dating, the cave is more than 15,000 years old.

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8 Small Towns In Oregon That Are Full Of Charm And Perfect For A Weekend Escape

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Oregon’s larger cities may get most of the spotlight, but The Beaver State’s small towns are nothing short of wonderful. All across the state, there are some downright delightful little locales that really exemplify peak Oregon living: beautiful scenery, world-class recreation, small-town vibes, amazing restaurants, and some of the best shopping in Oregon, too. Whether it’s a charming coastal city, small mountain municipality, wine country province, or a little locale in the state’s rugged outback, Oregon has some of the most winsome small towns in the PNW. Here are eight small towns that are just perfect for a weekend escape — and some of the best small town shopping in Oregon, too!

1. Jacksonville
Jacksonville Oregon/Facebook
Not only is Jacksonville a charming little locale, it’s also one of the coolest towns in the PNW! Why you ask? Well, it turns out Jacksonville is home to an incredible annual music festival that draws some of the biggest bands and artists in the industry, too!
2. Ashland

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The Pony Express Trail Was Legendary, And It Ran Right Through Utah

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Utah was once the Wild West, full of vast stretches of land, indigenous people, wild horses, and an occasional hardy trapper or fur trader. In the mid-1800s, Westward Expansion was in full swing, and the Pony Express carried the mail from Missouri to California. This legendary trail cut right through Utah, and you can travel along some of the trail to see historic sites today.

The Pony Express Trail covered 1900 miles from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Along the way, it cut right through the heart of Utah, and you can travel on the Pony Express Historic Trail to see some of its historic sites.
Sherry B/Tripadvisor
With 80 riders and as many as 450 horses, the Pony Express was able to move letters and packages along the trail in just 10 days.

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These 4 Videos Of Wildlife In Alaska Are Too Cool Not To Share

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These four videos capture some awesome footage of wildlife in Alaska. The people filming these short clips were lucky enough to see this action in real life. It would be so cool to see some of this stuff, but hey…only in Alaska!! Luckily they were able to share these wildlife videos in Alaska for all of us to see. The things you may see in Alaska are astounding, and we’re not just talking about the wildlife in Alaska. This state is filled with jaw dropping natural wonders: glaciers, mountains, and stunning landscapes.  All the natural beauty of Alaska will wow you.

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The Abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine In Alaska Is One Of The Eeriest Places In America

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If you are curious about the eeriest place in Alaska, look no further than the abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This structure was left for decades and fell into disrepair. The faded red buildings across the bright mountain backdrop make a stunning and eerie spot to behold.

The historic and abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine is far off the beaten path in America’s largest national park.
James B Williams Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus
The Kennecott Copper Mine is on the edge of the spectacular Kennicott Glacier. Its history is a long and interesting one that began when copper was found in 1900.
This copper mine had its heyday in the early 1900s.

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The Bachelor Loop Has More Abandoned Towns Than Any Other Colorado Road

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With its fascinating mining and railroad history, Colorado is chock-full of beautiful, must-see ghost towns and abandoned treasures. With so many to choose from, however, it may be hard to decide which to visit, which is why we are thrilled to introduce you to a single road that passes through many of these historical gems: the Bachelor Loop in Colorado.

Located in Creede, the Bachelor Loop in Colorado is a stunning 17-mile do-it-yourself historical tour that passes some of the most well-preserved mines, ghost towns, and deserted buildings in the state.
TripAdvisor/Brian S
Nestled amidst a historic mining district, many of the old mines and towns surrounding the Loop date back to the late 1800s, when miners from all over the country were flocking to the Centennial State to find good jobs at one of the many prosperous mines.

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This Utah Massacre Site Is Among The Most Haunted Places In The Nation

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On September 11, 1857, one of the most horrific massacres in U.S. history occurred in Southern Utah. It played a tragic piece in Utah history that many still reflect upon today. While the story is heartbreaking and awful, it is creepy and spooky as well. In fact, today, the site of the Mountain Meadow Massacre is said to be the most haunted place in Utah.

The Baker-Fancher wagon train was made up of men, women, and children from Arkansas who were traveling through Utah to California. The wagon train was attacked by a group of Mormon Militia on September 11, 1857.
Sally T/Tripadvisor
During the attack, between 120 and 140 men, women, and children were slaughtered. The Mormon militia fabricated a story, blaming the Paiute for the massacre. They hastily buried the bodies in shallow graves, which were promptly dug up by coyotes and other wild animals. Within a few days of the massacre, bodies and body parts were scattered over two miles, left to rot in the sun.

The youngest members of the party were spared, and the 17 surviving children (all of whom were under the age of seven) were “adopted” by local Mormon families. When the childrens’ relatives from Arkansas attempted to take the children back home, they were refused. It took two years, and intervention from the U.S. Army, for the children to be returned.

News of the massacre made national headlines and people all over the country were horrified.
Harpers Weekly/Wikimedia
This ink drawing of the victims’ bodies was placed on the cover of Harpers Weekly. After the initial outrage, nearby settlers collected the most obvious body parts and buried them, mostly in two mass graves.
Throughout the years since the massacre, many visitors to this area report that it’s haunted.

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Most People Don’t Know This Secluded Washington Island Has An Illegal History

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Blake Island is a small island in the Puget Sound, located near Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island. Largely preserved as Blake Island State Park, it’s a popular destination for local kayakers and tourists. However, it used to be known as Smuggler’s Island, and for good reason.

Blake Island State Park is a peaceful and relaxing place, sitting just north of Vashon Island.
Cadbanker / TripAdvisor
It’s best known for being a destination with Argosy Cruises, both for kayaking and for the Tillicum Excursion, which includes a 4-5 hour dinner cruise, a Native American storytelling show, and island exploration time.
Once used as a camping ground by the Suquamish tribe, the island is known as the birthplace of Chief Sealth, for whom the city of Seattle was named.

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