How Clean Is Clean?


First a few photos of scenes along the way…

Extra Long Hay Wagon
Loaded Idaho Potato Hauler
Grain Silos and Gray Clouds

After our second night in Twin Falls, it was time to leave our somewhat-better-than average campground for West Yellowstone, MT.  Hopefully our plan change would minimize the time spent in cold rain.  After a fairly lazy morning we headed out for our first stop – The Museum of Clean.  We didn’t research it much – but how cool might that be?

Found in the Museum of Clean
Just a small assortment of the hundreds of vacuums in the museum.
Car Vacuum – The right side end could be attached to your car’s exhaust to create suction.
So easy to use a child could do it…

It turns out it was very cool – and, not surprisingly, very clean.  It was the brainchild of cleaning and TV/radio personality Don Aslett.  You can read on the museum’s website why it is in Pocatello, Idaho, the incredible number of antique vacuums (powered by cranks, wheels, and even car exhaust) and such, but it hard to describe how interesting everything is and how much fun we had learning about cleaning.  Did you know that the dirtiest place in your house is likely the doorknobs?

There were exhibits and displays on washing clothes, toilets, and lots of different kinds of vacuums and carpet sweepers.  There were hundreds of vacuums of all kinds – after we thought we had seen all the vacuums we could possibly find, we went to the third floor (adults only) to find hundreds more.  A good portion of the museum was focused on kids, and many of the patrons were mothers and toddlers enjoying exhibits just for them.  Scott bought a set of 3 books on sale – one autographed by Don himself.

After eating lunch in Khan in the museum’s parking lot we headed to our next museum, the Idaho Potato Museum, in the repurposed railroad passenger station in Blackfoot Idaho.

All hail the King of Spuds
The above image was taken with the help from this handy selfie stand and the camera’s self-timer.
Just in case you didn’t know.

While on the smaller side and perhaps lacking the charm of the Museum of Clean, it told the story of the potato, its role in history and in Idaho, how potatoes are planted, grown, harvested, and processed, and such.

Bronze replica of Idaho’s record largest potato.

After touring, our OWGRV team ate a serving of Fresh Cut Fries that were freshly sliced and fried at the Potato Cafe in the Museum – Baked or Fried Potatoes is all they serve.

Fresh Idaho French Fries at the Idaho Potato Museum Cafe

Back on the road for another short hop, this time to Idaho Falls for a quick stop at Walmart and a loop around the Eagle’s Nest sculpture / fountain in the middle of a traffic circle. It was an impressive piece or public artwork.

Eagles Nest Sculpture / Fountain in Idaho Falls

Then on to West Yellowstone.  We had a bit of trepidation about the only campground we could book, as the public campgrounds were all full.  We found the Pony Express RV Park to be a pleasant surprise as we arrived in a steady, cold rain that started as we left the potato museum and followed us all the way.  It is really a small extension of the Brandin Iron Inn.  Despite the small number of sites, they have a nice bathhouse – the first we had ever seen with dispensers for both soap and lotion on the washbasins!  And they had fast wifi so we didn’t have to set up the Starlink mini in the rain.

Fancy Campground with Hotel-like Dispensers

After leftovers dinner and blogging, we are going to bed and counting on the rain to end overnight.

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