Father's Day Exploring!

Chris' first Father's Day in Boise!  He didn't have to share the day with any birthdays or anything ;-) so it was all up to Papa as far as what we were going to do for the day - well, after we went to church in the morning, of course.  He has been itching to get out and about so he declared he wanted to do some exploring!  Of course, he probably really wanted to go climb some 12,000 foot mountain, but given my condition he settled for a long, long drive.  We basically went from Boise, up 21, cut across Banks Lowman Road and went back down 55 to Boise again.  I'm sure that makes complete sense to all of you.  Maybe this will help...

This was our route.  When you look at the state of Idaho as a whole - we've got a LOT more exploring to do!

Starting our drive, passing the reservoirs.

There were lots of people wake boarding - can't really see it in the picture though.

Headed up 21, towards Idaho City.

Idaho City!  It played a brief stint as the largest city in the Northwest, during the gold rush.  It has a neat history - I suggest a quick read of the info on the wikipedia page. 

Hey, how many places can you just get around on four wheelers?  Well - lots more places here than in Maryland.

 

You turn off 21 onto their main street. 

More four wheelers!

Miners Exchange - established 1865.

Random house.  Chris thought it was a bar at first but all the "keep out" and "no trespassing" signs made it clear you were not supposed to cross that gate.  Prime house for the show Hoarders.

So much neat, old memorabilia, but who knows what the story is there...

Boise County Courthouse.  Boise isn't actually in Boise County - it is in Ada County.

Leaving Idaho City.

Huge trees - it is impossible to get the real view in a picture.  Guess you'll just have to come see for yourself.  ;-)

Mores Creek Summit.  Elevation 6118 feet.  We had been climbing for a while and after this we started going back down a bit.

There is snow on them thar mountains, off in the distance!  It was 80 something degrees that day - although it went into the 70's when we were at the higher elevations.  Wonder how tall that mountain is....

We also came across Whoop-Um-Up!  This is an area Beth took us snowshoeing when we visited her in Boise several years ago.  Looks a little different without all the snow!

Neat driving scenery.

You'll pop around a corner and see an awesome view.

Getting to where we were going to "turn left" to cut over.  Actually - I think we had already missed our turn by the time we got here - but it worked out nicer that way!

  We would have missed this...

We also got to an area where there was evidence of past fires.  Not sure how long ago - but you could still see charred trunks and stuff.  Wildfires are a big issue in Idaho and the surrounding states.  Something to be mindful of - you don't really think much about that in Maryland.  They also do "controlled" burns too though sometimes, to help prevent or lessen fires that might happen later.  All it takes is a good lightening strike.  I looked around online a bit but couldn't find anything about fires in this area. 

Creeks meandering through the hills along the road.  I think this is actually a creek here, not a river.  Although, what we call rivers in Maryland would often be considered creeks here.

And THIS is why it was great we missed our turn.  We ended up visiting a hot spring!  Kirkham hot spings to be exact.

Some info on the springs.  The higher pools are warmer than the lower pools - the one's that empty into the creek.

Info on the lovely smell.  The area didn't stink - but there was a faint odor.

Pretty place.  It is campgrounds also.  There was one tent set up (and I must admit they looked like they were setting up a trash dump next to their tent - boo) and a camper.  That was it.  Several people were down where the springs went into the creek.  There were some pretty strong rapids right there so I didn't even want to go by the edge.  I have nightmares about Little Lady falling into something like that.  Even if she knew how to swim those rapids would still be too much to deal with.

I dipped my feet in, but it was a bit too bath watery for me.  My thermostat has already kicked up, so sticking my feet in warm water on a warm day isn't really on my list of desires.

It was more up their alley.  This is one of the springs which goes downhill into the creek.

Pretty views.

Happy Papa's Day!

People hanging out in the creek.

Checking out one of the higher springs.  Warmer.

Will certainly be on our list of places to hang out in this winter!

Here is a photo of the springs in winter, courtesy of www.idahohotsprings.com.  Now doesn't that look inviting?

Let's get back on the road.

We tracked back and found our turn.  On the road again!

Chris got out to stretch and I look out the window and see him taking a picture of the car.  Such a man.....

On the road back to Boise now.  Lots of people enjoying the river here.

Different landscape - less trees!  Still relatively green though.  (It's all relative....)

  It's nice having the roads follow the water.  Cooler breeze and nice scenery.

Finished off the day with dinner at Outback!  Perfect Papa's Day!

Of course it was perfect - they got to spend it together!

We had fun exploring - although being in the car that long gets tiring.  Many of our explorations in the future will probably involve camping over night.  Something I have never done.  Seriously.  There is so much to see around here but you really need more than a day - I totally see now why so many people have trailers and campers.  On the way back to Boise there were several emergency vehicles headed the other way and sadly we heard on the radio the next day that a woman drowned near Crouch.  She had gotten out of her raft to try to help another rafter in distress.  A reminder that all the beauty and awesomeness of Idaho also carries certain risks.  Also reinforces my paranoia about Little Lady getting close to the creeks and rivers around here.  We've got a life jacket for her, but still......something I'll have to work on.

Next year I guess Chris will be twice the Father he is now?  Is that how it works? 

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day!