Stories, images and videos of small adventure trips in and around the state of Idaho
School has only been out a day and already “I’m bored” complaints are buzzing around the house like flies. Happily, we’re close to the river and foothills so we can always hop on our bikes or set out on foot from home for a bit of perspective.
Hunter is at his dad’s, Alexis is at his next host family and Jessica is visiting her grandma in Arizona this week. It’s just Brenna and me, which means there will be camping.
I have had my fill of the place but I think Brenna might find Kuna Cave a fun adventure so her and Hunter join me in the little car for the short drive to dusty spelunking while Jessica is busy with meetings.
You can’t keep us indoors with Jessica once again away. I let the kids vote (probably a mistake) on an hour drive or three with our resulting sights set on an overnight among the trees overlooking Boise. At least we won’t end up stuck in big mountain snow. Or will we?
Jessica is out of town. You know what that calls for! Camping. Since she’ll have the Jeep, we’ll make due with campground camping we can reach with the baby hippo car. I’ve always liked the look of a few spots above Arrowrock Reservoir so we set our heading accordingly. Engage!
Hunter leads us up Rocky Canyon to the Boise Ridge and a great campsite he finds near Deer Point. The next morning, in spite of a warning, he decides to brave Daggett Creek.
She was so excited by the prospect of a simple walk by the river, how could I say no. So after days of intermittent rain, Brenna and I spend two hours walking the familiar paths near home.
She has been asking about it almost daily for weeks and finally we’re making it happen, a camp out for just Brenna and me. I liked what I saw last week motorcycling around Little Jacks Creek so that’s where we are headed with hot dogs, marshmallows and our best hiking flip-flops.
Feeling cooped up on a cold weekend while Jessica is away, I suggest a walk along the river. The inversion is finally gone. It should be nice.
Hunter and I explore a homestead and ancient petroglyphs along the Snake River across Swan Falls Dam. Heavy clouds darken the sky as we’re close to completing our arid loop. (Before you get excited, note this route is currently closed to motor vehicles.)
Brenna and I drive to the recently opened Trinity Recreation Area to camp along Big Trinity Lake and feed the mosquitoes. She swims, makes me a flower salad and map while I prepare the hotdogs and marshmallows. After a restless night we leave to the sunrise reflecting fire off placid waters.
Little Brenna and I take the doors off the Jeep for a drive to Idaho’s historic Silver City and the surrounding alpine mountains. On the way we stop at the Owyhee Museum in Murphy then begins our search for the gold we finally discover in the setting sun with only a minor loss of skin.
Hunter and I trailer to the Eighth Street trailhead then ride the rest of the way to the ridge and Eagleson for his first overnight trip off the motorcycle. We see a skink, sit around a fire, sleep and ride home through some difficult mental terrain.
Hunter and I trailer our motorcycles to the Hemingway Butte riding area where we spend the afternoon improving our hill skills. Hunter does great, especially considering it’s only his second motorcycle ride.
If I get a snow day then Brenna does too. Roads too slippery for commuting give us a day to see the neighborhood recast in white.
A rare ride with Kayla to Initial Point then Swan Falls Dam and across the desolate Birds of Prey area to Grand View and much needed dinner at the Black Sands Resort along the C.J. Strike Reservoir. We only fall over once.
We ride east together, Hunter and I, across remnants of the Oregon Trail for a little visit to Bonneville Point, the historic site from which Boise was named. Hunter, though, is more interested in thorns and grasshoppers than history.
Laura and I hasten but fail to beat a storm as we head homeward, stopping twice for shelter, making memories sure to last a lifetime.
While the Tuscarora art students are busy with projects, I take a day to explore the expanse of mountains I saw from the ridge above town.
At first with Laura and then on my own I explore the hills immediately above Tuscarora. Brown and featureless from a distance, I find up close they’re decorated with an impressive variety of colorful flora.
We arrive early in Tuscarora, Laura and I, and bide our time exploring the small town and its environs. When the other students arrive, I document some of their projects and look more closely at items on display at the pottery school.
Laura and I ride together on the GS from home south into Nevada on our way to tiny Tuscarora for a high school trip. We stop to sleep at Wild Horse Crossing campground before continuing through mountains and across desert to our destination.
My oldest daughter Laura and I ride together on the GS1200 through Smith Prairie for Trinity Lookout only to be yelled at when we arrive. We return through Featherville, not getting home until late at night.
Hunter joins me on the GS for a short ride to the Boise Ridge, including the top of Trail Four, and back.
Having lately visited my first lava tube cave near Shoshone, Idaho, a friend and I decide to investigate the close-by Kuna Cave.
Hunter and I set out with his bicycle in the bed of the truck to explore some of the Oregon Trail above the Boise River near our house.
My daughter Laura rides along on the XR 650L while we seek the elusive southern route from Aldape to Lucky Peak. We also try to make our way to an old mine I once encountered near Highway 21.
My daughter Laura and I ride together on my XR 650L up Rocky Canyon Road, across the Boise Ridge for a small loop around the top of Trail 4, above Hulls Gulch, then return the same way as the sun sets. Along the way we encounter our old friend, the ostentatious Mormon Cricket.