Boise!

As it turns out, Boise, ID is a perfect example of why we are doing what we’re doing. If we were just traveling from point A to point B on a vacation schedule we might, at best, stop in Boise for an overnight rest before moving on. Since we can take our time, we stayed for a week, although we could have spent more time. Boise was an interesting stop.

What did we do? Learned about the Basque influence, and it was large, on Boise. Saw the World Center for Birds of Prey and had a great chat with one of the volunteers there. Took an awesome drive through the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, although the only birds we saw were, unexpectedly, chickens on top of a butte. Had a private tour through a field of pictographs, few of which we would have noticed ourselves. Visited a few wineries/vineyards and saw many more. Bought a couple of bottles, too.

None of which would have happened if we had been cruising through on vacation. We would have had a hurried stop at best as we rushed on to our next “must see” destination. Instead we got to know this area of the world a little better. And had some great paella on the way.

Look at the claws on this guy! World Center For Birds of Prey. 7/30/19

Lunch in the Basque section of Boise. Paella! Boise, ID 7/31/19

Future wine. 8/1/19

More future wine. 8/1/19

Idaho’s Initial Point. This is the benchmark for all surveying in Idaho. 8/2/19

The only fowl sighting at the Birds of Prey Conservation Area. This was on top of the Initial Point Butte which was, in turn, far from anywhere. 8/2/19