Hammett, Idaho is a simple place. The town center is small, the hub of an agrarian community that covers a vast area incorporating thousands of acres of potato fields, obviously. This is Idaho, right? Nestled into all this vastness and plateau and desert scrub, there are nuggets of opportunity and awe that make Hammett a place to see.

The meandering roads take you past and over and intertwined with the Snake River, a major water source that flows majestically through the countryside. In one spot, we came across a small pod of pelicans? Indeed. Closely hugging the sandbars and shallows were several of these birds, the white pelican, which we haven’t seen since our adventures in South Padre Island, Texas about a year ago. These creatures are spectacular to watch as they work the currents around the shallows, scooping up fish and sunning themselves in the bright afternoon sun.

Bruneau Sand Dunes

Driving from Hammett to the Bruneau State Park was pleasurable, winding through hills and pastures and criss-crossing the mighty Snake River. We were pleased to find the State Park was open and allowing visitors as so many parks are closed at this time due to the COVID-19 regulations. We happily paid the $5.00 entrance fee and drove through the park, passing the closed campgrounds (what a unique treat to camp here!) and headed for a parking area near the dunes.

These dunes are formidable! Families, teens, children and adults were climbing to the top for a better view. Some were towing saucers, some were wearing goggles, some were sliding down the steep hills and some, like us, were content to watch the action from below.

Snake River access to the public is well maintained with picnic tables and a slopping boat launch area. This park also provides a station for the borrowing of life jackets!

As we were leaving the park, there was a small herd of pronghorn who were transiting to the other side of the road and luckily for us, they made their move behind us, but close enough to get a long look at these majestic creatures. The buck stopped to stand guard of his harem as they crossed the road. He eye-balled me while I squeezed off a few frames as he posed on the road.

Sometimes it is nice to take in a community and appreciate the simple functionality of the services and businesses that help the town survive. There is nothing fancy here – no marketing tricks or flashing lights. A pure community for pure living. Keep it simple!