Soda Springs ID


Tue: We drove on a historical loop into Idaho, through the town of Soda Springs. It covered some of the route of some emigrant trails, including the Oregon Trail. We had seen a number of what I would consider, fairly large mining operations. We later learned that they were mining phosphates. Monsanto chemical company had a large plant that processes the mineral to produce extremely pure elemental phosphorus. While we were at a park nearby I noticed a section of the slag heap turn a brilliant red as might be seen with lava flowing from a volcano. As we were watching a truck appeared in the same area with it's load giving off steam. The truck then dumped the firey contents down the side of the slag heap. The bucket was still glowing red. I checked at the plant and was given a pamphlet describing the process.

An exquisitely restored hotel was near the downtown. The first and second floors were loaded with antique artifacts and was a wonderful museum. The third floor was still operated as a hotel.

Behind the hotel was a geyser. It was actually created by crews drilling for heated water for the town's swimming pool. It is controlled by a valve and erupts every hour on the hour.

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