Idaho's license plates say, "Famous Potatoes", but I didn't eat or even see a single one of them. What's up with that?!?! If you're gonna make that kind of claim you need some massive potato statues, street vendors selling every kind cooked every way, mascots walking the towns, etc. Hey Idaho, call me, I've got some ideas for your marketing dept, let's boost tourism in your state. Step 1, free fries at every border...

Wouldn't you stop for a bag of delicious golden crispy fries right here??

Actually when leaving Washington I took a short-cut across the corner of eastern Oregon for a few miles and found a couple spots to photograph. The pic above is out of order intentionally for the introduction to this story. (wink wink)

Day 45 / Mile 4565.  From the freeway, I spotted this crazy abandoned structure.  I found a way to get to it, took a tetanus shot, and got ready for a sketchy exploration mission. — Day 45 / Mile 4565. From the freeway, I spotted this crazy abandoned structure. I found a way to get to it, took a tetanus shot, and got ready for a sketchy exploration mission.

It turns out to formerly be a cement factory, and currently a canvas for graffiti.

If you're ever exploring a place like this, be super careful about it.  Who knows if the roof is going to collapse, floor is going to fall through, or hobo is going to murder you?? — If you're ever exploring a place like this, be super careful about it. Who knows if the roof is going to collapse, floor is going to fall through, or hobo is going to murder you??

A very metal self-portrait.  \m/ — A very metal self-portrait. \m/

Being a cement factory, there were a smooth slabs that looked fun to skate.  I made a little DIY spot and finally got on my new Active deck.  It's been too wet in the previous locations, so it felt good to finally break it in.&nb… — Being a cement factory, there were a smooth slabs that looked fun to skate. I made a little DIY spot and finally got on my new Active deck. It's been too wet in the previous locations, so it felt good to finally break it in.

This guy really didn't want me to pass him, went like this for a mile until he turned exited the freeway.

This is one of the best vanity plates I've seen yet, I busted up laughing.  If you don't know this phrase, CLICK THIS. — This is one of the best vanity plates I've seen yet, I busted up laughing. If you don't know this phrase, CLICK THIS.

On my itinerary was the 100 year old Idaho State Penitentiary.  From my research it was one of the few things that sounded interesting in Idaho, besides eating potatoes, which I didn't get a chance to... — On my itinerary was the 100 year old Idaho State Penitentiary. From my research it was one of the few things that sounded interesting in Idaho, besides eating potatoes, which I didn't get a chance to...

From inside the courtyard, it felt like somebody from Europe designed it with those odd towers.

The State Pen.  It was cold and uncomfortable here. — The State Pen. It was cold and uncomfortable here.

This inmate was clearly an artist.  He obviously loved curse words, Snoopy, Wile E. Coyote, and choppers. — This inmate was clearly an artist. He obviously loved curse words, Snoopy, Wile E. Coyote, and choppers.

The warden didn't take kindly to me, and locked me up!  *I told them about my adventure and they were nice to open the cell for me to take this pic.  It doesn't happen often so I was hyped. — The warden didn't take kindly to me, and locked me up!
*I told them about my adventure and they were nice to open the cell for me to take this pic. It doesn't happen often so I was hyped.

Abraham Lincoln was a great man who not only freed the slaves, but me as well! — Abraham Lincoln was a great man who not only freed the slaves, but me as well!

I just like documenting scenes like this.  It's artistic to me, and hopefully you too. — I just like documenting scenes like this. It's artistic to me, and hopefully you too.

...and how about this artist!!  You had me a pizza.  If you like pizza, check these guys out- NOBLE PIE PARLOR. — ...and how about this artist!! You had me a pizza. If you like pizza, check these guys out- NOBLE PIE PARLOR.

Day 47 / Mile 4785.  Traveling across Idaho was fairly flat and lackluster, then this canyon opened up with some amazing cliffs. — Day 47 / Mile 4785. Traveling across Idaho was fairly flat and lackluster, then this canyon opened up with some amazing cliffs.

This cliff is their most famous- Balanced Rock.

Now this kind of graffiti really makes me mad.  Why would you deface nature like this?!?!  I wish Rocky Balboa was here to fight the Russian who painted it. — Now this kind of graffiti really makes me mad. Why would you deface nature like this?!?! I wish Rocky Balboa was here to fight the Russian who painted it.

Speaking of Rocky, I've been training.  I pushed this sucker off the mountain. — Speaking of Rocky, I've been training. I pushed this sucker off the mountain.

Speaking of training, I haven't been. I try to eat fairly healthy on the road by making oats and eggs for breakfast or maybe yogurt and fruit, sandwiches for lunch, then a salad and soup for dinner, I haven't been active like I want to be. When I'm at some of these places, I jog to get there, and am trying to get a little exercise in the van by doing push-ups/sit-ups. My big plan is to get a membership to 24 Hour Fitness, but there isn't any out here!! They all seem to be in California or the East Coast. So, soon I'll be getting ripped, but for now I'm working on my "Trucker Body". (I'm cutting down on the beer when camping, but it just makes it more fun.)

Back on the road, and still haven't had to put on chains yet.  Tina wears knobby all-terrain tires and has a lift-kit, so we've been really good on the snowy roads.  She's front wheel drive, and about 5000 lbs so we rally. — Back on the road, and still haven't had to put on chains yet. Tina wears knobby all-terrain tires and has a lift-kit, so we've been really good on the snowy roads. She's front wheel drive, and about 5000 lbs so we rally.

Wyoming here we come! GIDDY UP, COWBOY!