Boise, ID

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)

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)!

The steep winding road above Lewiston is beautiful drive. We could see the whole valley below, from several terrific viewpoints. One could only dream of what the fledgling trading post, back in the early 1860’s looked like. Once known as “Ragtown,” for an area made up of tents-one could imagine a late night view of [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

August 7th thru the 10th Boisean’s returned again and again to the Flicks off the corner of Capital and Front Street to enjoy the variety of films this festival offers.
While many of the main features seemed to focus around the late journalist Hunter S. Thompson, the festival offered a wide range of movies. I was fortunate enough to catch the tail end of the festival, jumping at the chance to view a series of short films. Film shorts are fantastic because they offer a wide range of talent, acting, and story telling all in a neat, not too tedious, packaging. Films are short enough that if one absolutely hates the story they can rest easy knowing it will be over very shortly and there’s more to come.

I believe Sandy Point used to be called rocky point, until a while back when sand was brought in to make it a little bit more foot friendly. The sand its self still remains a bit gravely and thick, meaning its not quite Long Beach in southern California, but it serves its purpose. A large shallow lake area reaches out from the sand towards a rock wall that sits along side the Highway. In the center of the far side of the lake protrudes a huge fountain. Beside the sandy beach is a large grassy area complete with mature trees, picnic tables, and barbeque stands. Towering above the park is a huge green lettered message insisting, “Keep our Forests Green.” People spread out on blankets and towels below enjoying lunch and meandering down to the water to cool off.