Idaho

Eastern Oregon farm against the back drop of the Blue Mountains.
There is just enough moisture for wheat farming in the valleys.

The volcanic mountains remain dry with little vegetation.

The Snake River provides water for irrigation of crops.
Sometimes done in ditches, but more is done by
huge sprinkling systems as seen here.

A closer view of the field being irrigated.
This huge device automatically rolls through the field.

Irrigation lets the land produce bountifully. Here
you see bales of alfalfa hay.

Thousand Springs, Idaho.
Water percolates through the upper layers of volcanic
lava. When it reaches a harder layer it follows that
layer and emerges as natural springs along the Snake River.

It was called Thousand Springs because there were
over 1,000 springs emerging from the lava formations.
Today it has been reduced to a few hundred bacause
the springs have been tapped for irrigation.

The state motto on the license plates is
"Famous Potatoes".
Bill found some of them!

Idaho is also known for its sugar beet farming.

Here is a closeup of a sugar beet.
Look at the bottom of the plant.
The beet is white and about 3-4 inches in diameter.
That's enough education for one blog post!