We drove up the butte in the dark and found the top of the world.
We had never been to Idaho, but we went on our own this time — and with all our sons. We bought our return tickets early, for a better price, into Idaho Falls, and planned to find some clear space between Pocatello and Rexburg. While googling, I found that the owner of one of the Menan Buttes, overlooking the Snake River, was offering viewing spots on top of his butte for a small fee. It was a wonderful site, and they were so organised.
We drove there in darkness, showed our passes, and drove up to the top to drop off people and equipment while one of the boys took the car down to the parking they’d prepared. I had forgotten how cold it is before the sun rises — but too late: we carried bags, backpacks and tripods up to find a good spot, and we did.
Another wonderful, successful totality, on top of the world. We hadn’t realised how flat Idaho is until we were up there — and those buttes were perfect.