Best of Boise
While reviewing the recent edition of the Best of Boise, on the Idaho Statesman website I came to the conclusion that some real lame people must vote for those things. While a lot of the winners were spot on, like Goldy's and Shige's.
There were quite a few that were real head scratcher's to me. For instance, the best family recreation spot was Lucky Peak State Park. While it is impressive when the rooster tail is spraying, the rest of the year it is a little spot of grass wedged between a river that is 34 degrees and lovely state highway 21. On top of that you have to pay a fee to use it. As Tom hanks said in the movie Big "Whats fun about that". And I agree. Let me give those 85,000 thousand of you that voted on this glorious family recreation area some other ideas.
Celebration park, complete with hiking, rock art, fishing, swimming, mountain biking and History comes to mind. Located just south of Melba.
How about a class three whitewater trip on the main Payette by Horseshoe Bend.
To adventurous? Then for my money, the Boise river through town would beat the pants off of the old state park, there is even a playground at the take out for the little ones.
Any one of the 6 other parks along the Boise River they all have better facilities, and they are free.
Roaring Springs, no never mind I do not think kids would enjoy that more than Lucky Peak State Park.
Lets move on and examine a couple more. The best day trip was voted in as Cleo's Ferry Museum? What in the heck is that? If you have to be told then how could that be the best day trip available. Let me tell you this, it will be a cold day in the river at Lucky Peak State Park before you catch me spending my precious day off visiting Cleo's.
Try a drive to Stanley and have a burger at the Redfish Lake Lodge gazebo, before taking a quick dip in the lake. Side trip Through Bruce Meadows to Dagger Falls and watch the salmon jump the pour over on the left side. Back up the hill, stop at the bridge hike 200 yards downstream to dead snag and catch 20 inch cutthroat, continue on to Bear Valley, Pick a few mushrooms and wild flowers on your mountain bike ride. Take another dip in the creek to cool off. Down, down, down to Lowman. If you have the time hang a left to Kirkham hotsprings for a a soak in the hot springs. Other than it can be crowded this spring is one of the cleanest and least odiferous in the state. Back on the road and down the south fork, stopping twice to watch the rafters and kayakers, hoping someone will fall out in one of the rapids without getting injured of course. Back into town for a late sushi dinner at Shige's. Thats a day trip. Of course there are probably some of the people who Voted for Cleo's that would say "what's fun about that"
Another good one would be a Leslie Gulch/Jordan craters trip in se oregon. If you have not been or heard of these two they are a muted version of Zions and craters of the moon 2 hours from Boise. If your butt is made of iron or you have two days you can come back via Silver City.
Another epic day trip is to hike to the lookout at Ruffneck peak via Langer Lake. Great views of the Sawtooths, fishing and swimming going up and down.
Wine anyone. A self guided tour of the areas wineries would be alot of fun. Remember either designate a driver or sip and spit.
My favorite would be this. Pick up a cancelled Middle Fork of the Salmon permit, Drive to Boundry Creek put in, have car shuttled to Garden Valley airport. Push off 9:00 Am. Arrive Indian Creek Guard Station at 7:00 Pm. Hop on pre-arranged flight to Garden Valley airport. Home in bed by midnight. That is my kind of day trip. Best done in aire inflatable kayaks. Granted this is on the excessive side but would beat the heck out of the nature hike at Cleo's. Really better done as a two day trip. I do not think I could pass up that many good fishing holes in one day, I would be sick.
Then there is the best scenic drive. While the trip to Mccall is scenic in spots, a lot of the way you are staring at a cow pooping in a pasture. Again "whats senic about that", unless of course it is your cow. Go back to best day trip it is also best senic drive even if you never leave the Highway. granted the restaurants and coffe shops are not as good in Stanley as they are in Mccall. But the scenery is better. Pooping elk beat pooping cows everytime in my book. Of course I am bias, I own part of that pooping elk.
My webhelper tells me that I do not need to mention that I am a realtor dedicated to helping buyers and sellers buy and sell Boise Idaho Real Estate. That is when I am not recovering from one of the great Boise area day trips listed above
posted by Mike Carr at
10:43 AM
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