Boise, ID

While flipping through my copy of the Boise Weekly one afternoon in late June, I came across an ad for the 8th Annual Star Party at Bogus Basin. The event was free and as my cohorts and I were feeling skint, (as many teenagers find themselves in the summer months) we decided to check it out, pitching in for gas money and heading up to the Boise National Forest for an evening of star gazing. I myself not a huge winter sport enthusiast was excited to go take a look at the Bogus ski resort I had heard so much about over the years.
It took about a half-hour of slow and steady driving up the winding Bogus Basin road to get to the resort, but once there I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. It seems quite a few families had come to enjoy the evening as well, attracted by the promise of a Ranger-lead nature hike and the chance to behold the night sky through telescopes commanded by the Boise Astronomical Society.

While we had arrive slightly too late for the 7:30 pm guided nature hike their was still time enough to explore some of the surrounding marked trails on our own, having brought our sense of adventure and a pair of hiking boots. Bogus Basin, while abandoned by skiers during the summer, would be a great place for hikers to investigate. Marked and mapped out are a variety of snowshoeing trails that are easily accessed by the main highway. While slightly overgrown, they are not difficult to walk and have extremely beautiful views of Boise Mountains to the north, and the entire Treasure Valley below. The Basin trails also include a Frisbee golf coarse and if your lucky enough to visit in late June as we were, you’

ll have the opportunity to view some of the beautiful blooming flora that seem frozen in a spring-time brilliance. Read the rest of Star Party- Exploring Boise’s night sky »

A hot day in Boise always brings to mind one thing for me: a trip down the Boise River. So when the weather got too hot to handle this past week, it was time to head to Ann Morrison Park with my friend and a raft for a “cooling off period” so to speak.
While one might suggest starting at Barber Park ($5 to park), the launch point for Boise River floaters, I prefer to save a little cash by grabbing three bucks and taking the shuttle bus that runs between Morrison and Barber. I generally wear a swim suit and a pair of water shoes or tennis shoes to keep my feet protected from the river rocks. I wear sunscreen, and as many a rafting trip has taught me, leave my sunglasses behind, because they slip right off into the water. The two shuttles are hard to miss; they’re large and white–appropriately christened The Moby Dick and The White Whale, taking rafters back and forth between the two parks. The shuttles arrive every hour on the hour (1-8pm Week days, 1-9pm Weekends), to crowds of people, waiting to begin their adventures. I generally try to get to Ann Morrison Park about 20 minutes early to make sure I have all my supplies together before the bus arrives and to avoid missing the typically full shuttle.

Read the rest of Keeping Cool In The Boise River »

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. Read the rest of Warm Springs Mesa-Starcrest View »

My six year old daughter recently spent her Christmas money on a snazzy pair of purple roller skates. Although it’s going to be awhile before she’s very comfortable moving around on 8 wheels, it looked like so much fun I decided to ask for rollerblades for my birthday earlier this month so that I could skate with her. My loving husband obliged, and after finally going helmet shopping over the weekend, we were ready to roll. Tuesday morning last week seemed like a good time to head to one of our favorite parks to start practicing our new, hopefully non-contact, sport.

When Brothers Park, a soccer field, was created a few years ago next to Caldwell High School, a cute little playground went in right next door. We’ve always presumed it was put there for siblings of the soccer players, but whatever the reason for its construction, it really is a nice play area. When we aren’t at Memorial Park, described in a previous post, we are usually at “The Purplebelt” park. This is my kids’ name for it–I guess some derivation of “The Greenbelt,” although I can’t tell you why since it isn’t anywhere near the greenbelt. Read the rest of Rolling Through Caldwell Idaho »

I don’t know how many times I’ve been up at the Boise Depot just to look and wander. It’s really peaceful up there. It’s also pretty and there’s a great view of the city. I’ve pressed my face up to the glass doors and cupped my hands around my eyes, but . . . nothing. It’s always been too dark to see anything inside. Now, I have been inside before, which is part of the reason I’ve wanted to go in again. The last time was for my cousin’s wedding and before that was when it was open after its restoration. But, those times inside are rare. . . few and far between. –sigh– Well, who knew–the place is open every Sunday and Monday! When did that happen? It doesn’t matter. I went this week!

You’ve really got to go visit some time because it’s a museum of the railroad era in the city. The space is huge with an immense wood floor, impressive doors and windows, elaborately painted trusses, original lighting, and amazing wooden benches around the perimeter where passengers used to wait. What is probably a pretty accurate replica of a weekly train schedule is hung on one end near the ticket windows. Read the rest of A Tour of the Boise Depot »

“There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South . . . Look for it only in books for it is no more than a dream remembered. A Civilization gone with the wind . . .” Margaret Mitchell

Yep, you got it–Gone with the Wind. Now, the movie itself is one thing. Seeing it on the big screen would be fun, but at the Egyptian in Boise? Completely awesome! How many times can you say you’ve even seen the movie title on an old cinema marquee? I can say . . . never, until now! That’s one thing that’s great about the Egyptian. Every now and then they play a classic. Seems like every year they show The Wizard of Oz and at Christmas they show It’s a Wonderful Life. This was a no-brainer for us. B’s best friend came over to go with us since she had never seen Gone with the Wind. The three of us took off with the idea of being transported back in time. Read the rest of A Night Out at Boise’s Egyptian Theatre »

If you’re willing to put some gas in your tank (ouch!) and drive out of town for a hike, I promise you won’t regret it! Last weekend we headed out to hike one of the many Red Mountains that dot the map of Idaho. To get to this Red Mountain, head to Lowman on your route of choice. After you get into Lowman and cross the river, turn left on Forest Service Road 582. Drive 12 miles until you reach the intersection with Forest Service Road 515 (Red Mountain Road) and veer right. From here, it’s just another 5 miles to the Red Mountain Transfer Camp where the trail starts. There are restrooms at the trailhead. For additional information before you head out, check out the Lowman Ranger District’s website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/boise/recreation/lowman/trails/red_mountain.shtml Read the rest of Hiking Red Mountain near Lowman, Idaho »

This past week, my girlfriend and I have tried to hit a new park every day Monday through Friday. We found some great new places to hang out at during the weekend. One of my favorite places we stopped at was Julia Davis Park. It is on S Capital Boulevard, and W Battery Street.

There are tons of trees and picnic benches there, meaning plenty of shade and space. There are also two museums nearby, the Idaho Historical Museum, and the Idaho Black History Museum. It is right across the street from the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, which is a great place to visit. We stopped by there first and looked around. It is a great memorial that is also a little sad.
Read the rest of A Tour of Boise’s Parks: Julia Davis »

Late in the school year, this past season, I was fortunate to transport several classes of Boise High School students to Peak Fitness, located a the south end of 25th St. The address is 308 S. 25th, next to I-84.

Around 10:00AM, one class of Boise High students, numbering about 30 or so, clambered aboard my bus. Along with the students, one Physical Ed teacher. My paperwork said it was a charter to Peak Fitness. From the name, I thought it was something like Gold’s Gym.

I made a joke with the teacher to the effect, that some of the football sized students didn’t look like they needed to lift anymore weights. He had a good laugh at my expense, then told me that Peak Fitness, was an indoor rock climbing wall. Read the rest of Peak Fitness-Learning how to rock climb »

I was always fascinated by a little church, tucked tightly between other buildings on the corner of 11th and State St. The unusual architecture, along with it’s stained glass windows, always made me wonder who built it and what style it was.

Years later, I learned from a friend whom had gone to the church, that the property was up for sale and that the fate of the building was unknown.

I couldn’t fathom the possibility that such an unusual building, obliviously historic in nature, could be demolished for a new development.

Not to worry though, the little Jewish Synagogue that had been a fixture in Boise for nearly 108 years, was going to be moved to a new site, purchased by, Ahavath Beth Israel so they could expand their growing congregation. Read the rest of Historic Building-Synagogue of Ahavath Beth Israel »