Life is like a swimming pool, don't fear the water, jump in, get wet.
"IWe have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.
Some of our favorite camping areas.
We like the McCall / Donnelly / Cascade area in Valley County Idaho well enough to purchase a lot on West Mountain next to the Tamarack Resort. This eliminated our concerns about getting a camping spot during peak seasons.
Even with our personal "always open" camping site, we still enjoy the opportunity to roam and explore the vast North West region. Just about everywhere you can camp, there is fishing opportunities nearby (rivers & lakes).
It should be pointed out that "Idaho is known as the wilderness state. Many of our most stunning landscapes and richest habitats are designated wilderness. Through acts of Congress, a total of about 4.8 million acres of public lands in Idaho – approximately 14% of all its public lands – have been protected with the wilderness designation." - Idaho Conservation League.
In addition, according to the Forest Service (USDA), "National forests cover some 20.4 million acres of Idaho, approximately 40 percent of the state."
This is one of the most popular locations in Southwest Idaho that Boise residents love to frequent. It is just 100 miles north of Boise. The route up Highway 55 follows the beutiful and senic Payette river up stream through a deep canyon.
Learn more at: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/lake-cascade/
"The spectacular beauty and solitude of the 217,000 acre Sawtooth Wilderness is experienced by people from all parts of the country. It is considered the "crown jewel" of the Gem State. First protected in 1937 as a "Primitive Area," the rugged Sawtooth Wilderness was officially created by Congress in 1972."
The Sawtooth Wilderness is exceptional in scenic beauty and is characterized by high granite peaks and narrow glacial valleys. The Wilderness is comprised of hundeds of jagged peaks, 50 over 10,000 feet in height, with nearly 400 high alpine lakes dotting the predominantly rocky terrain."
Learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sawtooth/recarea/?recid=5969
"Hugging the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, this national showcase holds 652,488 acres of beauty and adventure, where you can let your senses run as wild as the landscape. The deepest river gorge in North America. Scenic vistas that rival any on the continent. World-class whitewater boating.
Spectacular mountain peaks. Vast reaches of remote wilderness for hiking or horseback riding. Diverse and abundant wildlife. Artifacts from prehistoric tribes and rustic remains of early miners and settlers...Hells Canyon National Recreation Area truly offers something for everyone, and much to remember."
We believe this is one of the areas best camping and fishing locations for early season adventurers.
Learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5238987
"Glacier National Park is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. It's crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Among more than 700 miles of hiking trails, it has a route to photogenic Hidden Lake. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears." ― Google
Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
"On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River."
We make occasional side trips through Yellowstone on our way to visit family in Casper and Riverton Wyoming. It seems like we can never stay long enough.
Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
"Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands as a monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River, and enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place. "
Our trips through the Tetons on our way to visit family in Casper and Riverton Wyoming can be a bit scary at times. If we take the "short-cut" route over Teton pass, it's very senic. However, the route along the Snake River is just as satifying.
Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htmThere are many resources; books, websites, and publications that will point the novice enthusiast in the right direction. It seems every state in the U.S. has interesting public and private (fee) collecting locations. Just wandering around in the hills and desert can lead to new discoveries. Here is a list David never travels without.
This is one of the most popular locations in Southwest Idaho that Boise residents love to frequent. It is just 100 miles north of Boise. The route up Highway 55 follows the beutiful and senic Payette river up stream through a deep canyon.
Learn more at: https://www.amazon.com
This is one of the most popular locations in Southwest Idaho that Boise residents love to frequent. It is just 100 miles north of Boise. The route up Highway 55 follows the beutiful and senic Payette river up stream through a deep canyon.
Learn more at: https://www.amazon.com
This is one of the most popular locations in Southwest Idaho that Boise residents love to frequent. It is just 100 miles north of Boise. The route up Highway 55 follows the beutiful and senic Payette river up stream through a deep canyon.
Learn more at: https://www.amazon.com
"The Diggings™ lists millions of claims across the United States to help identify where gold, silver, copper, and other materials are being mined or were mined in the past. With our interactive maps, discover mining activity in your area."
Idaho is loaded with great soakable hot springs. Oregon and Nevada have some great soakers as well. There is something about a natural hot spring that seems so much better than a hot tub at home. Perhaps it's the natural elements and nature that surrounds the senses.
Due to personal injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not been able get out and ride as much as we would have like. That hasn't stopped David from dreaming of rides and mapping out routes we've either ridden before, or would like to ride in the future. We are hopeful that our phyical health improves and the pandemic comes to an end and allows for a return to normalcy. Below are some local routes that many riders may be familiar with.
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Trails.Idaho.gov - An application that "shows motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities across the State of Idaho."
Learn more at: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/motorized-trails/
Trails.Idaho.gov - An application that "shows motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities across the State of Idaho."
Learn more at: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/motorized-trails/
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