Features

Lava Soaking Good Time

Posted on: August 22, 2007

By Becky Ponkow

It amazes me how much it takes for us to get out of town. Pick up friends, get gas in the car, a few munchies and finally we hit the freeway. Idaho is so scenic and I think sometimes we take for granted just how gorgeous it really is. Living in the valley we definitely take the blue skies and hillsides for granted. Traveling south we pass rock formations that tell the story of earthquakes that literally transformed the landscape with gigantic cliffs. As you head east of McCammon the sight of pasture and the winding river tease the eye until you start to feel all your worries fade from memory.

We entered Lava seeing an Olympic-sized pool with diving platforms and water slides teaming with people. A quick glance lets you know the parking lot is mostly filled and we continue onward through town to the State Pools. Built predominately for relaxing, the pools have a well maintained grouping that beckons to an older crowd. The newly remodeled dressing rooms make this an easy place to change and relax. Most of the visitors here soaked in the calming atmosphere. The screams from the river below wafting upward as the “Tubbers” float down the river.

The town itself definitely has that touristy feel that places like Park City and Jackson Hole exhibit. The Visitors Center is located in the center of the downtown district surrounded by a couple of shops and various restaurants. The corner grocery store has relocated into a larger new building. Some face lifts and expansions definitely leave the impression of a town growing at its own pace. Businesses renting big inner tubes dot the town at different intersections and their patrons march with designer tubes bobbing up and down as they trek toward their entry point in the river.

We stopped at the Lava Hot Springs Inn next enjoying their multiple pools. The swimming pool which is a little warmer than most pools allows toys and floatation devises that make it particularly nice for families. The pools range from around 107F to around 40F inviting visitors to try them all. A couple hours goes quickly here with sounds of children playing and the low hum of adults talking as they watch their children splash the afternoon away.

If you’re looking to get away for an afternoon this is definately one place that has a lot to offer. Also, with the Art in the Park event happening August 25 it has another great activity to do as you destress from the week.

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