Bliss, Idaho: Dinosaur, Bob's Museum & Rock Shop (Closed)

The dinosaur and toad are gone. Just the old museum building is there, but closed.

Bob's Rock Shop has been closed due to the death of Bob, but one of the big dinos is still there.

As we wandered our way through Idaho, we also made the happy discovery of Bliss' big concrete dinosaur and his owner Bob. Bob says that the dinosaur (and his smaller cousin, the polka-dotted horny toad also on the premises) are doing just fine, but that the "dinosaur doctor" (i.e. the local concrete guy) will be paying a visit later this summer to do some paleolithic podiatry so the dino's feet will feel better for many years to come. Bob invites everyone to drop by, "especially those good-looking wealthy widows" :) and say hi to the dinosaur, take pictures, and, if you're interested, buy some rocks, marbles, or other fun stuff.

On our regular drives between Seattle and Salt Lake City, we try to stop at the Oxbow Cafe in Bliss, Idaho, for a great hamburger and shakes. Next to the Oxbow is a small green cement dinosaur; only six feet tall, it looks like a baby brontosaurus. The dinosaur has looked rather ratty in the past, but has a new coat of paint this year. Then on our last trip we discovered Bob's Museum, Gift, and Rock Shop right across the street from the Oxbow. We didn't have enough time to check it out, but the trays of rocks out front and the ads for onyx eggs looked well worth a visit.