The Museum of Clean

Everyone needs to go to the Museum of Clean.  It was one of the neatest museums I've ever been to and the best part is Don Aslett, super millionaire cleaning man, gave us a person tour of his museum.

"Come Interested, Leave Inspired" is definitely how I felt.  Don Aslett cashed in his retirement in his late 70's to start up this museum.  Where most people in his situation would just sit at home all day, gardening or watching soap operas, Don started up this 70,000+ sq ft museum.  It's hands-on with very interesting things from around the world!  It's a perfect place to take kids!  If I lived in Pocatello, I would take my kids there every week!  Upon entering the building there is a huge metal ball that the kids can play in and a huge Noah's Arc!  Everyone there is so friendly!  The museum was really neat, but the best part by far was that Don gave us a tour, always kept my child entertained, and he gave us a free autographed book!  I'm excited to take my family there at least one more time before I move!

This is the first sign that you see when driving up to the museum.  It's just a few minutes off the freeway, but if you're worried about driving too long and not being satisfied, I'll tell you know, I would drive 3 hours to tour this museum with Don.

Here is the front of the museum, but it's only half of the 6-story building.

 I don't want to post everything that I saw in the museum, but here is just one of the things in there, but it's not nearly as cool as other things that we saw.  This is a totem pole made out of mop buckets!  Neat!  He also had racing vacuum cleaners, musical cleaning supplies, and an entire gym made out of cleaning products!  So creative!

Here's the address:

711 S. 2nd Ave
Pocatello, ID 83201

Just Google it.

Horshoe Lake

I've actually never have been here before so I can't give any details, but my husband took a bunch of scouts there.  Here's a link for directions.  It's pretty close, and the picture looks beautiful, so it must be fun right? 

Hell's Half Acre-Paved

There are two paved trails in Hells Half Acre.  These paved trails are located at the rest stops on both the North and South bound I-15.  They are about 15 or 20 minutes past Idaho Falls between Shelley and Blackfoot.  We love to do these trails on Sunday afternoons when we just want something a little different than walking around the neighborhood.

The trail is nice and wide.  You have a choice between a 1/2 mile or less than 1/4 mile trail.  At the end of the South-bound side, there is even a gazebo at the end to have a picnic. 

North-bound map

South-bound map

Hell's Half Acre-Unpaved

Honestly, this looks boring, but it is a lot of fun because I feel like a kid again jumping over crevasses and climbing around on rocks.  It's actually a family favorite because it is just a fast trip that we can do, but still have plenty of time to get other things done during the day.

To get there, just keep going down HWY 20 about 20ish minutes past Idaho falls to Mile Marker 287.  Turn left and go down a dirt road.  If you have a small car like I do, don't go after it rains or even worse, if it is still raining!  That's just stupid.  Your car will most likely get stuck.  But if you have a couple people in the car to push it out, that it won't be a problem.

Since this is a lava trail, there isn't a trail on the ground to follow.  It is marked with blue sticks, for the small circle, or the red sticks for the log trek out to the middle of nowhere.  I have only done the blue trail which is 1/2 mile with my kids.  I think the red trail is 8 miles, but I could be wrong.  Too lazy to look it up too.  You can do that.

Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon is a National Park located a little over 2 hours from Rexburg.  I could give you directions or you could just google maps it.

You can do almost everything as a day trip or you can camp there.  There is a crater that is an 8 mile hike out that my husband did.  You can camp out there!  Also, for those of you who aren't really into hiking, you should still go because there are plenty of easy walks that you can do.  This small hill is probably the most rigorous that it gets.

Here is the beginning of the 1.4 mile trail.  It's not paved the whole way, but the terrain changes several times.

And if you are a member of a band, it is the perfect place to take your band photos.

My favorite part about this place is the Indian Tunnel and the caves.  I don't think i would take my baby and toddler into the caves, but it is good for kids with assistance from an adult.

Craters of the Moon also offers star gazing beginning (obviously) when it is dark outside.  I haven't done it yet, but it is on my to-do list for this year.  I would update you on it when I do it, but let's face it, I'm pretty horrible at blogging in the first place, so updating isn't really on the schedule.

Check out the website for all you can do there.  Do it.  

Mt Borah-Highest Peak in Idaho

Get your directions on this website.

I have not done this climb.  Elevation is 12,662 feet and word on the street it is ridiculously steep.  My husband tried to summit three times: first with a school group, but nobody reached the summit, then he tried the beginning of June, but there was too much snow, but the 3rd time in August, he reached the summit!

 Chicken Out Ridge

4th of July

I have the perfect plan lined up for every 4th of July.  First, head up the 4th of July parade that starts at Smith Park and heads down Main Street and end at Porter park.  It starts at 10:00AM and there is no reason why anyone that live in Rexburg should drive.  It's walking distance for everyone.  If you want to hit up the Idaho Falls parade, it goes along South Blvd.

 After the Parade in Rexburg, head down to Idaho Falls for the Best Firework Show West of the Mississippi!  Melaleuca puts on this firework show along the Green Belt (by the temple, Riverside exit).  2 million each year spent on this show-definitely worth it.  FYI, with traffic, it takes about 2 hours to drive back up to Rexburg.

And remember to bring your cash because there are vendors all along Riverside and Memorial Drive.  Oh!  And get there early because all the good spots get taken the night before or early afternoon.