Adventures, anecdotes and advice from three months exploring Idaho
Idaho is without a doubt one of the most under-appreciated of all America's states. For three months, we explored the state from top to bottom, east to west, and found one memorable sight after the other. Unbelievable nature, adventure, funny people, bizarre museums, a surprisingly fascinating history and culture, and unknown gems far off the beaten path.
When we announced Idaho as our next For 91 Days destination, the reaction among friends and family was almost unanimous: "Seriously? Idaho? Why?!" But after spending three months exploring the state, sharing our pictures and stories, we started to hear a lot of... "Oh, that's why".
The Boise Fry Company is the best potato joint in the capital of America's potato state. How could it be anything other than amazing? We visited on our final day in Idaho, eager to fill our bellies with greasy goodness, and were not disappointed.
One of the most idiosyncratic aspects of Idaho, and Boise in particular, is its connection to the Basque Country. Because of geographic and climatic similarities to their homeland, thousands of emigrating Basques chose Idaho as their new home. Their influence remains strong throughout the state, but nowhere is it more celebrated celebrated than in Boise's Basque Block.
Founded in 1937, the Boise Art Museum has a premium riverside location in an Art Deco building just off Capitol Boulevard. We took a quick tour of the current exhibitions, and had the chance to meet an artist at work on her latest installation.
Dedicated to America's military past, the mammoth Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa is a privately-funded collection of wartime memorabilia, stories and airplanes. It's the kind of place you could spend days at, and still not see everything.
On a hilltop just outside Boise, the World Center for Birds of Prey introduces visitors to some of the planet's wickedest raptors. Established in 1984 by the Peregrine Fund, the center not only contains a wealth of information about hawks, owls, falcons and more, but also breeds them in captivity.
Yep, it's just like I thought. Idaho: nothing but potatoes and world-renowned modern dance. It's so tiring when a place conforms exactly to the preconceived stereotypes you have about it. I mean, come on, Trey McIntyre. Boise? How conventional.
On Saturdays, traffic in downtown Boise comes to a standstill for the Capital City Public Market, which brings vendors together to sell organic veggies, clothing and artwork. It's a popular weekly event which we got to experience shortly before the onset of winter.
When you think of "Boise", the first thing that comes to mind probably isn't a thriving public art scene. But perhaps it should be. On almost every corner of the city, hidden in alleys, plastered across electrical boxes and even engraved in sidewalks, fascinating artwork can be found. There are bold, unmissable sculptures and paintings, but also subtle pieces which you might not even notice unless looking for them.
