Boise, ID

It was early this year, when spring fever finally to got me. The chill morning air, still required a jacket, and warm clothes. I just had to get out of the house and see what our beautiful city had to offer, after awakening form a long, cold winter nap.

The wife wasn’t anxious to leave her warm cozy abode, so with camera in hand and a cup of Joe, I began my journey across town to one of my favorite places, Warm Spring Mesa. Starcrest View really isn’t the name of the place, it’s the name of a street. But if one goes up in the evening-the name seems appropriate.

I drove east on Warm Spring’s Avenue. Just past Warm Springs Golf Course there is a signal light. I turned left on Starcrest view and wound my up the steep grade until I came upon a beautiful upscale home, located all by itself, just below a sandstone rim. Just above to the right was a short road to a lone cul-de-sac. Nothing more than a few large rocks and a beautiful view.

Parking my car, I grabbed my camera and headed out towards the rim. Although a cool breeze greeted me, the view was fantastic. There was a bit of a haze down in the valley, but for all intense and purposes it was an almost perfect day.

A hawk of some sort circled over my head as I climbed up the large sandstone rocks to get a better view. While adjusting my camera, the hawk dove full speed into sagebrush covered hills below me, coming up with a small rodent for his early morning breakfast. I wasn’t fast enough to catch the action!

Just as he disappeared with his meal, came two A-10 Warthog’s, (military aircraft) from Gowan Field). They were circling the airport, evidently waiting for other air traffic to land. Being an old Air Force guy, I was happy to oblige and take their photograph!

One nice view, was the slow moving Boise river below me. Being early spring, the water was still low, with ducks and geese flocking to it, like kids to a carnival. I even spotted a few lone eagles searching for those elusive rainbows.

Another area, that offered up a wonderful view was the snow capped Owyhee mountains off to the North. I had to wait an hour for the haze to burn off a bit, but it was well worth it.

This is one of the places you could put on your list for a quick city trip. It’s not far from downtown, it’s relative inexpensive-a bit of gas and a thermos of coffee or bottled water, and don’t forget your camera. Take your honey with you. Just before dusk, snuggle up and watch the sunset. If you can stay or go later, you’ll see the great Starcrest View