Astoria Hot Springs
This valley has been popular for hundreds of years by Native Americans as well as the influx of fur traders and beaver trappers.
It was settled in the 1800’s by The Astorians, who represented John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Trading Company.
The hot mineral waters have always been sought for their healing and restorative powers.
For many years the large pool was a community favorite for soaking and gathering.
The pool had to close for economic reasons, and when bulldozing was threatened,
The Trust for Public Land bought up the property and turned it in to the present set of 5 pools with varying temperature ( up to 104 degrees).
Soaking in the beauty with the Snake River in the background.
This is about an hour drive from our campground and a beautiful drive thru the Snake River Canyon.
The minerals and hot water turn the rocks orange.
-never seen orange moss before!
(similar to the hot pools in Yellowstone)
The Waterfall Pool
Yes, nice - even when it's hot outside.
Getting in and out of the water keeps you cooler, especially with the breeze.
When I looked on google, I kept seeing
"Free Astoria Hot Springs"
(Ours was not free - but it was very enjoyable)
We learned that the locals call the pools that form on the river
Hippy Hot Springs, which are free.
When the river is at the right level, the hot water flows into the river and forms the pools. We didn't see any that day.
Blue Fox Pottery
Etna, Wyoming--population 41
Sue and I had a little 'shopping' time and had seen this pottery shop.
It was such an interesting experience to meet this artist and hear his extensive art background.
He does pottery as well as many other forms of art.
We learned of his raku pottery methods and the very interesting effects that the total solar eclipse in 2017 had on his pottery in the kiln that day.
( Something about quantum physics ??- didn't get it!)
The note cards on the wall are lithographs made from his sketch books
of the scenes around Star Valley.
