An early start as lots to do, arrived in the ghost town of Chesterfield Just after 9, sadly things don't start til at least 10 and we are on a mission.

Then an older couple arrived, who are seasonal volunteers. Terri said she has been a guide for the past 2 summers, is now part of the maintainance crew with her beloved husband, with the permission of a current guide, she volunteered to take us on a personal tour.

Onboard her trusty golf cart, we begin at the house of James and Ruth Davids, James (ex military) had come to work for Ruths adopted father when Ruth was 13. When Ruth was 14 James asked her father if they could be married, he said no they must wait until Ruth was 16.

Ruth and her brother were full bred native americans, and were adopted by Ruths Dad after their natural father had knocked the door and said he was selling them, they were exchanged for a mule and a sack of grain, and saved from a life of slavery in Mexico.
Ruth's handywork including these quilts, pillow cases and embroidered artwork are on display in the lovingly restored property. Ruth and James went on to raise 6 children in this tiny cabin.

The Mormon Pioneer Village and Oregon Trail site, is owned by the Mormon church, Our Guide told us a little of her faith and family beliefs.
Next stop, The Ruger Dug out, The rear original part of the property was a literal dug out, Mr Ruger a foreign music professor, lost his job when he joined the Mormon church, he struggled to learn English and the dug our was a last resort to house his family, in later years an upper extension was added where his 6 children slept. One child founded Maverick, a petrol station company, another child a successful chain of hotels.

The last member of the family still lived in the dug out until the 1940's, when her children built her a house a few hundred feet away, she conceeded that it was the first winter she hadn't felt cold.

Our final stop, the Mansion house built in 1909, still occupied until the 1950's and a time capsule of the period.

The lovely Terri took us through every detail, the house was made ready for electricity, but was never connected up as power never quite made it to the town in time, plus this was the 1st home to boast a telephone.

This torturous looking instrument, is a hairdressing accessory!

Our journey continues, we passed through a derelict town called Atomic City. A town once inhabited by the workers from the nearby power plant.

Finally EBR1. The first place in the world to generate atomic power.

We were welcomed by a young man on loan from the local power plant, seems the office folk get a chance to man the museum, during the season when the college interns are back in school.
Armed with our guide sheet we head to the control room, we are encouraged to play with all the switches and levers, most importantly the " Scram " button. The all important instant shut down of the reactor core in case of problems.

Though now totally safe, all of this equiptment is real, here is Ian directly over the reactor head.

On 20th December 1951, the 1st power was created from the nuclear fission and channeled into powering 4 light bulbs, 21st Decomber 1951 the whole power plant was powered by the energy created.

The bulbs were put back into storage, however a few weeks later the FBI were sent in with finger print kits to establish, exactly which bulbs were used, as the government realised the historic importance of the event.

The Mad scientist!

These 2 reactors, slowly rusting in the parking lot are most of what remains of a plan in the late 50's, to produce a nuclear powered bomber.
USA believed that Russia already had this technology, and were trying to create a plane that could remain airbound for long periods of time. Many tests were done, including dropping test reactors to see how strong the casings were.
The pilots would be in a shielded cock pit, with a massive reactor in the fussilage, hopefully in the air for 120 hours or more.

When Kennedy became President in 1960 the whole thing was scrapped, the planes would have needed a 3 mile runway and would struggle to take off with the massive weight, but most importantly, they learned the Russians didn't have the technology either!

At last we get to Craters of the Moon National park, first stop " Inferno Cone Overlook".

Ian braved the steep gravelly climb, and was rewarded with views across most of the park.

A short climb to the top of a splatter cone, the result of a final belch of magma, being flung through the air, during the volcanic action some 2000 years ago.

Last adventure, the Indian Tunnel, reportedly a safe haven for the colonies of bats that call the park home.

We were accompanied by a pigeon, and this small ratty fella, no sign of bats though.

The tarmac path across the rocky park was blisteringly hot, the caves delightfully chilled.

The Budget Motel, Burley is tonights resting place, Ian found the only chinese in town.

Even Ian struggled with the sheer quantity of this lovingly cooked fare, the chef coming out regularly to check on us, our chatty local waitress, fascinated by our travels and tales of England.

Another fun packed day dear reader, hope we see you again tomorrow, goodnight xx