Boise, ID

Although summer and thus the traditional camping season were both officially and unofficially over several weeks ago, we wanted to squeeze in an outdoors excursion before it got really cold. For a variety of reasons, our family did not get in our usual assortment of weekend camping trips during the summer, so when my husband [...]

There is always one thing that makes the coming of fall a little more bearable as the waning days of summer make me feel like a little kid dreading the return of school days: college football. I love everything about football season. I love breaking out the school colors, barbequing gluttonous food, getting together with friends, watching the upsets, and drinking a couple beers. No matter where you are in the country, game day is always filled with enthusiasm and energy, and Boise State game day does not disappoint.

We left the Gowen Field History exhibit and wandered back to the main room. I gave my son a brief description of his great grandfather’s service in WWI, then pointed him to the WWI display. As he left to view them, Don wandered back toward me with a small paperbound book in hand. (Sam the Doughboy, Copyright grandpavee-2008)

“I want to show you something.” I forgot the title, but it was of the history of the 164th FA Battalion. Don proceeded to carefully thumb through the book, showing me pictures as he went along. As it turned out, his friend had written the book, with Don’s help-or as Don put it; “I gave him most of the information and he wrote it!”

I have always wanted to visit the Idaho Military History Museum in Boise, but just never seemed to have the time. Since I had a few days off and my youngest son’s 28th birthday was around the corner, I killed two birds with one stone and invited him along for a half days adventure back in history. (Museum Entrance, Copyright GrandpaVee-2008)

If Peter Piper had planted a patch of plump picken’-pumpkins (rather than picking a peck of pickled peppers), he probably would have grabbed the attention of more children. Fortunately, many other farmers have caught the autumn spirit (and a business opportunity!) and provided families all over the Treasure Valley with a fun way to spend a little time enjoying a beautiful fall day in SW Idaho. One such place is Linder Farms in Meridian, where my kids and I have enjoyed an outing more than one year.

I have probably been to most every air show in the area for thirty plus some years. But one of the most spectacular and FREE events of the year is always held at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The last one was in 2005, so watch the papers during the summer. It’s something you won’t want to miss!!

This year, Gunfighter Skies-2008 commenced on Saturday Sept. 13th and ended on Sunday, the 14th. (Something to note on future events…(Usually the Thunderbirds only perform the full show, during the last day)!

Saturday morning was not a good time to arise out of bed at 4:00AM, but it was my usual wake up time for my work as a bus driver. Saturday found me preparing to run a shuttle bus for the Art in the Park festivities down at Julia Davis Park. The park, hosts artists from all over the Northwest, who sell their wares at the three day event. Food and entertainment are also had and proceeds beneift the Boise Art Museum. The event is held the week after Labor Day, Sat.-Sun.

If you see a white rabbit hopping through Boise this weekend, you might want to follow him down the hole (or up the hill, as the case may be) so you won’t be late, late, for a very important date. It’s almost time for the Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Idaho Botanical Garden, and [...]

The swimming pool at Nampa’s Lakeview Park is a favorite for cooling off on a hot summer afternoon. One hundred degrees was forecast for the high, with temps cooling later in the week, and I spent the first half of the day arguing with myself about taking the kids out there. It’s not that I [...]

Growing up in Western Oregon, summertime meant berry picking time. No sooner had my sister and I finished school and planned to enjoy sleeping in on lazy summer mornings than my mom would rouse us out of our comfy beds, pile us into the car along with a stack of berry boxes, and haul us [...]