Boise, ID

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)

We left the Clearwater River Casino restaurant east of town and headed across Memorial Bridge to Lewiston. It didn’t take a genius, to figure out that Lewiston was named after Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame and Clarkston the reverse. Back In the 1860’s Lewiston was a thriving trading center for the mines of such places as Orofino, Peirce and Florence. Turning west at the far end of the bridge, we headed for the downtown area. The short drive was like opening a time capsule into the 1900’s.

We left Spalding, having learned a great deal about the life of the Nez Perce, and how the Clearwater river came to be their life’s blood. If your ever in the area, plan on several hours to tour the museum and the grounds of the old Spalding mission. The Nez Perce artifacts alone in the museum are worth the effort.

We had made reservations to stay at a Super 8 motel, located on the outskirts of Lewiston. But a noisy truck stop across the street changed our minds.

On our way to the Super 8, I had noticed a Casino right off the freeway. With the girls consent, we decided to drive back. As I pulled off the freeway, I noticed a sign that read, Clearwater River Casino. As I pulled around the parking lot, we ran right into the hotel.

Grangeville

We left White Bird and headed the 18 miles or so, up Highway 95, towards Grangeville. The town is unique, in that it is centrally located, offering up several routes to explore our wonderful state. One can continue up 95 towards Lewiston or take 13 towards Kooskia then US-12 to the NW Passage Scenic Byway that runs parallel to the beautiful Clearwater River.

Camas Prairie Railroad

Since we were headed to Lewiston, I continued up 95. About three quarters of the way to Cottonwood, I spotted the first wooden railroad trestle of the old Camas Prairie Railroad. Although we didn’t stop this time, my wife and I drove down to the old trestle several years ago for a closer look. A farmhouse is located nearby and we could just imagine trying to get a good nights sleep under a rumbling train load of timber!

This is the first of many reviews, of a week long adventure across Northern Idaho. The trip was conceived by my 84 year old mother whom stated; “Son, this is probably the last trip I will ever take, so lets go!”

Our trip began, with the arrival of her younger sister, who flew in from L.A. For forty some years, dad and the gals took annual trips around Idaho. Since his passing several years ago, it fell on me, to fill the void of driver.

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.

Ten Mile Campground on Highway 21 lies between rivers and strange cartoonish conifers that resemble trees that could be found in a Dr. Seuss story book.

My most recent visit was one of the best so far. The museum began with a dramatic entrance, taking the opportunity to allow guests to tactilely explore the one of a kind exhibit inspired by the question “What is worth protecting?” A creation that first debuted in New York City, this sculpture encourages one to explore what others believed was important to protect.
Beyond the web of the entrance hall the American Cockroach, an exhibition of the artistic vision of Catherine Chalmers infested the main headlining rooms of BAM. Her work was a combination of living material sketches, impressive sculptures, film, and photographic exploration that delivered a changeable emotional impact. While one is first challenged to reevaluate their aversions to these pesky creatures they are comparatively forced to view their own feelings of torture and execution.

Many, many years ago, Sherwood West-an older subdivision, was constructed above the west rim of it. The former gravel pit, supplied raw materials such as sand and gravel, to the ever growing communities being built on the Boise Bench. One reason I am familiar with it, is that my dad had built many homes in the same subdivision.

About four years ago, the wife and I moved into the area, just a few blocks away. I hadn’t seen the old gravel pit in years. On one of my first walks in our new neighborhood, I quickly rediscovered an old friend.

It wasn’t until I started to write this review that I did a bit of research. Low and behold, I found the pit had a name-the “Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve.” In addition, I was astonished to see that the City of Boise had created a master plan in 2000, to develop the site into a park.