This is a clipping from The Idaho Recorder dated August 31, 1923. This news report tells the story of the Hicks family (Victor and Clyta and kids) who took a short vacation from their homestead in Pahsimeroi to the Camas Prairie to visit relatives. Please also read Harry Hicks’ account of this journey he recorded in his life story in 1977 (included on this website).

Three weeks ago Sunday the following party started on our trip from the Pahsimeroi valley to King Hill: Mrs. Edith Horn of Salmon and Mr. and Mrs. V. L. Hicks and family of Pahsimeroi, the former to visit a brother located at King Hill, whom she had not seen for 17 years, the latter to visit mother and sisters of Mr. Hicks.

We left the valley on a beautiful clear morning, just such a morning as all tourists would welcome gladly for starting on a trip. We went up the Salmon River past Challis and Clayton, the roads here were very narrow and rough along the river, mountain scenery was enjoyed by all and some fishing which we did find very good. The route took us to the mountains village of Robinson bar which is very picturesque there being an open plunge which many tourists enjoy. We passed a number of fine ranches which looked just as prosperous as those we had left behind. We then came to the Sunbeam dam, which resembles a sunbeam in the early morning.

After viewing the construction of the dam, we went to Stanley and Alturas Lake, another bit of nature’s unrivalled handiwork; we then crossed over the Galena summit to Galena, which point we found excellent roads and many tourists traveling to the Red Fish Lake for their summer vacation. We then went to Ketchum, the roads being very rough on account of the heavy rains. Hailey was next passed, then into the Camas Prairie country where nearly all the crops are raised on dry farming. The crops were fine, the grain, which was just being harvested, being unusually heavy.

“We reached our destination with no car trouble, not even a blow-out. We came back through the Galena country. The country around there is prosperous, with corn fields, sugar beets and orchards and some hay and grain. We then crossed to the lower end of Camas Prairie across to Bellevue on the Big Wood River which was the most prosperous and best looking country we saw. It is a fine looking country from there to Gannet, the crops being hay and grain. There are also large orchards.

We then came along the edge of the lava beds for some distance, then crossed directly toward the Craters of the Moon, which we all wanted to go to see but could not because we were short of time, but those lava beds were inviting for a person who might like mystery and adventure. When the car stopped, one of our party started out into the depths but had not gone far when she met a diamond rattler which Mr. Hicks killed. We then cut across toward Mackay where there had been some bad rains and plenty of mud until the car skidded but we pulled through alright and came over the Double Springs pass and into the Pahsimeroi and home again.”

We were four days on our trip over and including car trouble were eight days on our homeward journey. We broke the reverse gear out of our car, which delayed us for two days at Fairfield on Camas Prairie, but too much good luck wouldn’t have suited well, so our trouble came last.

We all enjoyed the trip and brought Mrs. A. E. Hicks, mother of Mr. Hicks, back for a short visit with her two sons who are located here.