Flat Lotto's Adventures!

Flat Lotto made it to Idaho!!

Flat Lotto's made it to Kuna, Idaho.  Nila (forum name SunQuest) at Sun Quest Miniatures was a great host to him! Here is a special report from Nila...

Lotto arrived at my home on Wed April 19, 2006 much to my joy. It was perfect timing as the weather had been terrible before Lotto arrived. After some fresh air and a good night's sleep, we were ready to go on a two hour one way trip south of Boise to Twin Falls Idaho for some sightseeing.

First on the agenda was a trip to "The Niagara Falls of the West". Here is what Flat Lotto saw for most of the way to the falls… Nothing but desert! But, if you go far enough, the desert will suddenly open up into a deep canyon that was cut by the Snake River. While this section of the Snake River is not the deepest gorge, the very same river is responsible for Hells Canyon which is the deepest gorge in North America.

Well, while Flat Lotto is a terrific jumper, he decided to apply the brakes as he thought "I don't think I can jump this one!" (right)

 




Flat Lotto taking in the view of the falls.

To cross the Snake River Canyon, we had to drive over a huge bridge called the I.B. Perrine Bridge which connects Twin Falls with Interstate 84. This bridge is approximately 1,500 feet long, and 486 feet above the Snake River. Originally it was a toll bridge, but in 1940 the tolls were eliminated due to the lack of popularity of it. In the early 1970's the bridge was replaced with what you see today because the original bridge was unable to handle the heavy loads of the vehicles trying to get to Twin Falls.

After a brief rest and some lunch, we ventured on to our ultimate destination. Just down the road a couple of miles and a short loop back to the canyon we discovered what we had been looking for. The Niagara of the West. This is home to a very large waterfall called Shoshone Falls pronounced "show-SHOWN".

This waterfall is taller than Niagara. It is 212 feet (64.7 meters) high, which is approximately 52 feet higher than Niagara. The water flows over a multi-terraced rim which is 900 feet (274 meters) wide. These pictures were taken on April 20th with the water running at about 18,600 cubic feet per second. Which in simple terms means that's a lot of water! One cfs equlas about 7.48 gallons of water per second or about 449 gallons of water per minute. So what these pictures are showing is 139,138 gallons of water going over the edge of the falls per second which is about 8,351,400 gallons of water going over the edge of the falls per minute.

What is so unusual is that rarely are the water levels at this level. The last time that the flows were this strong was in 1997, and it only happens if we have normal to above normal precipitation in the mountains during the winter. In the late summer one is likely to see 3 separate waterfalls if one is lucky, or maybe only just a trickle over the far edge as the water is held back in resevoirs for irrregation. But, when the moisture levels are normal or above, and it is spring, one can see what the falls look like in their natural state.

Well, after the long day we returned home where Flat Lotto accompanied me for some of my daily routines. Here he is in my horse hauling truck, a 2003 dodge ram, looking out the window at a busy intersection when I was on my way to get my cup of coffee.


 

Of course I had to share it with Flat Lotto as well! Don't worry! It is sugar free and decaf!

 

 
Here is Flat Lotto with our puppy Caesar, then with my husky Glacier (right).
Careful Lotto! They are bigger than you!

I gave Flat Lotto a big hug and a kiss, and loaded him into his trailer and sent him on the way to his next destination today. He should be arriving there shortly, and is definitely looking forward to new adventures with new friends! Take Care Lotto! We will miss you!

 

Get me back to L'il Beginnings Miniature Horses main page please!