Blogs from Boise, Idaho, United States, North America

Since we were able to get so much done on Tuesday packing, plus, we were able to get a 2 bedroom suite at the TownePlace Suites if we could check out on Wednesday, we decided to leave Wednesday afternoon and head to Boise. This would also give us all day Thursday to explore the Columbia River Gorge area on our way from Boise to Portland. This morning, Ron picked up Scott and the rest of his stuff, then came back to the hotel to pack up all of our stuff. We killed some time in Provo, then headed to West Valley City to meet up with Cindy for dinner before heading to Boise. Tonight we stayed at another TownePlace Suites and were lucky enough to get an upgrade to a 2 bedroom suite. This one had ... read more

I tease myself too much sometimes. The holy grail of my USA journey was to somehow get to Montana State and see the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. 5 months earlier I had to turn back whilst in east Wyoming. This time around I was in Idaho and even closer but again I turned back reaching my final crest in the magnificent Craters of the Moon. Once there it was a gradual decline, hitting neutral in the car, crawling my way over the speed limit down the mountains toward the coast of California and my eventual, inevitable flight home. Idaho doesn’t get too much of a wrap in the states. Dominated by mountain landscape, there is one plain that’s an arc shape that goes along the south. The main city is the capital Boise. Which ... read more

We arrived in Boise late afternoon yesterday - what a terrific city!! We have had a lot of fun and celebrated Jim's 36th birthday in style! We arrived a bit too early to check into the hotel, so we wandered down 8th street and discovered a section with restaurants, a fountain and shops. We wandered around and stopped into a Mexican place called The Matador for pre-dinner drinks. Jim had a cadillac margarita and a shot of Clase Azul - his favorite. I had a fresh Tamarind margarita with a cinnamon-sugar rim. It was so good and so unique. I had never had anything like it. A perfect way to start our celebration! Jim selected Prime Rib as his birthday dinner, so after we freshened up and got all our gear unloaded into the hotel room, ... read more

So this is my first blog entry ever... let's see how this pans out with updating on my location and information. I have been planning this epic vagabonding journey starting in the South Pacific for almost a year now. Starting in New Zealand under a Working Holiday Visa and from there is hopefully another WHV to somewhere else to keep the journey going. But first I believe my inspirations and previous travels can explain my addiction to travel and fascination to just be me. I started travelling independently in March '10. It was supposed to be a snowboarding trip with friends in Norway along the Olsofjorden. But as time got closer, they started backing out and I ended up all alone. So I found the courage (a wee bit naive and innocent) and just went. The ... read more

As in de la Renta and Powers…I kid you not! This New Year’s Eve was riotously fun and delicious. In the company of good friends (Dave, Stephanie, Jill, and Cindy) we went to the annual bash hosted by Le Coq Rouge. This is the #1 restaurant in Boise. It is a French country-style eatery that will knock your socks off. If you are coming to, or just passing through Boise, Idaho, you owe it to yourself to dine at this restaurant. The menu is limited with usually no more than 5 – 6 appetizers and 8 – 10 entrees. Depending on what is seasonally available, some items appear at various times and only a handful of them are regular items on the menu. I’ve had a variety of dishes and have never been displeased by what ... read more

We made it to Boise today, driving through some beautiful country as we crossed the Divide and the Monida Pass. When we got down below Pocatello, Idaho (remember the "Born in a Trunk" song from A Star is Born?), we turned West on I-84 and began to follow the Old Oregon Trail. At each change of the terrain, we imagined the trains of Calistoga wagons and the pioneers walking alongside. As if we didn't know it before, these people were incredible! We're thinking of taking a day off tomorrow and catch up on our rest. Also, I hope to figure out how to transfer photos from my phone to my computer (any suggestions will be more than welcome.) Then perhaps, we can share some pictures. I know, I know - USE The Camera! Love to all ... read more

Hi family & friends, Finally getting around to putting some pics together for this…we only have about 500 to choose from…they’re so small on this website… you can double click and make ‘em a little bigger. We’re in Boise today, near the end of part 1 of a 2 part trip out west. Left O-town May 23 and we’ve spent the last month or so in NoCal & Oregon. We’re heading down to Salt Lake tomorrow, storing the truck and camper and flying home for 3 ½ weeks….then it’s back out here and on up into Idaho and Canada and back thru Montana and Wyoming. The highlights for us have been the NoCal Redwoods, checking out the wineries in Napa/Sonoma and getting fresh Chinook Salmon from the fish markets on the Oregon docks. We took a ... read more