While standing in an average Idaho strip mall parking lot, my back facing a TJMaxx, I was surprised by the inspiring scene in front of me. Looking to the left gave a glimpse of Perrine Bridge, a base jumpers magnet and to the right was the spot where daredevil Evel Knievel made his Snake River jump.
Perrine Bridge in Idaho: The Spot of Evel Knievel’s Snake River Jump
Highly impressive sights while standing on paved asphalt in front of a discount goods store.
The Perrine bridge is quite a spectacle that spans over the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho. It attracts thrill seeking BASE jumpers from all over the world, though the high winds this day prevented any risk-takers from being present.
Still, you could see the bulls-eye below the bridge next to the water, the jumpers target, and imagine what type of adrenaline rush it would be.
There are many adventurous things on my bucket list that I have done or would do, but BASE jumping is just not one of them. Leaping from a fixed object with just a parachute in my hand reeks of danger, especially for clumsy, absent-minded people like myself. Skydiving was quite enough of a thrill, thank you very much.
But, I can still appreciate the passion of the adventurer that does take the leap.
Turning my head to the right led to a man-made, dirt ramp where, in 1974, Evel Knievel attempted to make the jump over the Snake River in a rocket-powered cycle. Though this extreme sport legend had many records to his name, this one would not be one of them.
His mobile, that looked like a horizontal rocketship with wheels, failed at making it across. At least he escaped with minor injuries.
I bet Evel would have enjoyed a good BASE jump if he were alive today.
Sometimes what is bucket list worthy to me is not actually participating in the adventurous act, but just standing in a spot where inspirational people have followed their dreams.
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Like most good pictures it is imperative you point the camera in the right direction. This definitely would not have been as inspiring if you had shot in the direction of TJ Maxx. Beautiful images.
So true, though I do like a good shopping trip to TJMaxx :)
Very cool! I, too, am often impressed by a place by its significance rather than the spot itself. Makes me wonder how many spots I’ve overlooked because I didn’t know what happened there. Makes me read monuments and markers more often.
I am certain I have bypassed many other inspirational spots because I did not read the markers!
I LOVE watching BASE jumps on YouTube, but that’s as far as I can go with that interest. Never going to be on my bucket list!
Mine either!
NIce. I haven’t been to Idaho, but I can say with confidence those views from that store are much better than the one near my house in Tennessee. It looks at a Wendy’s, Starbucks and a road. Oh, and a Target.
LOL! Most strip mall view would not be as lovely.
Even though I’m too scared for this kind of adrenaline and I just can’t understand people risking their life..this is definitely the ‘place to be’ for every BASE jumper. Your pictures simply say it all.
Yes, if I was ever going to BASE jump ( which I’m not) this would be the place.
Those table top mountains are fabulous aren’t they?
Wow, what a ravishing sight indeed. Great perspective, you really captured the depth and the vastness of it!
I’ve just started daydream-planning my first roadtrip across America and there is an impressive array of stuff in the middle of the country. I probably won’t make it to Idaho, but you never know where the road will take me!
If you make it to Northern California let me know!
I love those photos that you took. What an amazing bridge!
Thanks for sharing:)
Melissa
Your first statement in bold deserves the formatting and is pretty amusing. Standing on paved asphalt in front of a discount store, very often, does not result in such highly impressive sights.
It’s interesting that so near to something as common as a “strip mall parking lot” exist such famous and adventurous sights. The Evel Knievel landmark and Perrine Bridge are definitely worth a visit sightseeing from the comfort of the quaint piece of asphalt you described.