EBR1 and Craters of the Moon

July 24 I spotted EBR1 on the map as a historic site and had to Google it to see what it was. EBR-1 is short for Experimental Breeding Reactor 1. This is the first place in the US where atomic energy was harnessed to produce electrical power. The stopped using this reactor in the 60s and it looks exactly like it did when they quit using it. We decided to go check it out and we were all pleased with the tour and learned quite a bit about atomic energy and the history around it.

This is where they store the rods when they have been used. Each hole is numbered and plugged with lead. Behind the couple on the left is a chalk board that the scientists used to keep track of the rods and their locations inside the facility.

Patrick uses the mechanical arms that were invented so that the scientist could work inside the special shielded cases.

The rod cluster

The generator that the reactor powered.

The first four light bulbs powered by the reactor. (probably changed them a few times since the 50s)

After they lit the bulbs the man in charge, Zim wrote on the wall and signed his name. After he left, the rest of the staff signed the wall including the janitors. Zim got mad and framed the area so no one else could  sign the wall. The small plaque to the right honors the women who were working at the plant at the time who did not sign the wall.

 President Kennedy came to office and put an end to the atomic powered jet plane. By this time it was already outdated.
Arco, ID was the first place to get electricity from the reactor and the Navy has trained all their nuclear personnel in and around Idaho for many years. Because of this history the submarine 666 was donated to Arco. They had nowhere to put it so they just moved the sail onto a concrete pad. The rumor was that they buried the sub and left the sail sticking out.

 The science center was closed.

Yes its a shed!

We drove back past the campsite and went on out to Craters of the Moon N.P. got the stamp, took the tour and called it a day. There were so many different faces to the lava flow and it covered so many square miles. We could only see a small part of the protected park from the road and people are not allowed to go into the wilderness for fear of damaging the formations, getting hurt and falling into holes and not being able to get out. A picture dump of the fun.

 We approached from the east and after passing this sign there is a pull off for an overlook with the sing below.

The large chunks are splatters of lava that flew into the air and landed instead of oozing out.

There are various patterns in the lava each formed at different temperatures.

 

This massive dune of volcanic stuff was available for all to climb who felt like it. You can see Patrick sprinting down from the top.

These are splatter cones that formed as the volcanic eruption was coming to an end. They belched hot lava out into the air.

Looking down into the lava tube of a splatter cone.

Patrick had to stick his hand in a hole.

Nature works to reclaim the land she lost to the volcanoes spreading a variety of color and plants across the harsh landscape.

 Becky and Patrick got a permission slip to go into the caves and Iris and I strolled around the parking lot, I read a book and she sniffed all the sniffs she could.

 Some landscape shots while we waited for them to return.

Above Arco is a mountain full of numbers. Back in the twenties a graduating class wrote their number on the mountain and that tradition continues every year.

After another long day of sightseeing and exploring it was supper time. I was leery about lighting a fire because it was windy but I kept it small and kept a good eye on it as a read a book on the phone. I must be really concentrating on it. The food was good!