Our final day in Arco will be a quiet day for clean up, pack up and load up for an early morning start heading to Dear Lodge, Idaho on our way to Glacier National Park. Unfortunately we have learned that Going To The Sun Road is still partial closed due to a late snow storm. We will be able to go up the west side to the road closure and then take a trip back around the park to the east side to visit the other open part of the road. But we have come this far and it doesn't seem like that big of a drive when you consider what we did on this past Monday. We have totally enjoyed our stay in the KOA park.
Arco is small town America with a total census population of 990 according to the 2012 census. There are no big stores in town. They have two small markets, one locally owned and one recently added chain store. Three fuel stations, a truck stop, two r.v. parks, a couple of motels, a bar (local watering hole) and a couple of restaurants. There is no fast food here.
This town is the crossing point for just about any place in Idaho.
Some might say it is the town where satan lives. On Highway 20 is the conning tower for a nuclear submarine that was decommissioned in 2000. The USS Hawkbill (SSN-666) was the last of the Sturgeon Class attack submarines to be decommissioned. Because of the towns long association with the Navy and their nuclear fleet the conning tower of the "Devil Boat" was installed along the highway in 2003.
They have a torpedo and special instructions for those who may choose to park in the area.
There is constant traffic through town. Most of it involves what appears to be the cash crop in this part of Idaho, hay. 18 wheelers with as many as three trailers move down highway 20/26 and turn down highway 93. Not sure where they come from or where they are going but there is a steady stream of them from sun up to sun down.
The town appears to be laid back as witnessed by the sign in the Butte County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
The town is small and Main Street is a highway.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Pickles. While we didn't eat there, they claim to have a really great burger, the Atomic Burger. Oh, and a big chair for Mia to relax in.
We hope to get everything set for an early morning pull out tomorrow.
Hope all is well and thanks for stopping by.
In early July of 2012, Going-to-the-Sun Road was still closed, too. We were able to drive all but the middle sixteen miles, but we still want to drive the whole road some day, preferably in August when the road is usually open. It's still worth seeing, even if partially closed.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your retirement is off to a great start. About four weeks ago I came up 26 to 93 from Shelly, Idaho. Beautiful drive. I wondered what the country was like where you were, It's a wonderful trip if you take your time. I may come up the 93 next time I am traveling home to Montana. Safe Travels and thanks for sharing your adventure.
ReplyDeleteCorrection, it was highway 28 to 93 in Salmon. Oh BTW if you go that way "WagonHammer" RV Park in North Fork ID is a great place to stay. Very nice Hosts and Facility right on the Salmon River.
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