Decmber 2007 CORPORATE SUNRISE

Going to work at the same office complex the same day isn't always fun.....but at least I get to see some great sunrise views from the 5th floor, including this day. Colorful sunrises don't last long, but if even for a moment they do get a lot of people's attention.

Dec 14 2007 GLADIATOR HOLIDAY BEER TOUR

December is a busy time with Christmas parties and year end deadlines. With a lot already going on, I figured a roving, virtual Christmas gatherering was for the best. After meeting at my house for Wheat Chile, the Gladiator Van and Six Revelers made its way to three local brew houses with holiday beer: Sockeye Brewery, Highlands Hollow, and Table Rock Brew Pub. Additional friends met us at each stop, including for a viewing of the award for "Most Festive"---a silver Christmas Tree.





The High Point of the evening was also on the drive home when the whole van sang along to The Bare-Naked-Ladies version of "I saw three ships come sailing in, on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day......."

Special thanks to Derek, the Designated Driver.

Deember 2004 WINTER GARDEN AGLOW

Here is a look back at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, "Winter Garden Aglow." A good place to get some roasted nuts.

Sept 2005, SACAGAWEA SPRINGS, Morony, MT

Much was made of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. But with such a long commemoration, and so many locations, it was hard to digest what was really a "must see." As far as I'm concerned, the trek to the Sulpher Spings is hands -down the most interesting site to see.

It is a mile walk, but after a few minutes you get the feeling of being out on a journey into the unknown, with nothing but rolling prairie and the sound of the Missouri River in the distance. Just when you think you're not going to see anything, there it is---a sulpher spring out in the middle of no where.


The Story: "Sacagawea was deathly ill in the spring of 1805 when she drank "the water of the Sulpher (sic) spring" near the "great falls" of the Missouri.
She felt much better the following day.
Before drinking the water, Sacagawea suffered a week with no improvement from several other attempted remedies, including two bloodlettings."

http://www.lewis-clark.org/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=848






The trail also has a great view of where Belt Creek meets the Missouri River---which was the start of the June 1805 portage around the Great Falls area.

June 2005, FIRST PEOPLE'S BUFFALO JUMP State Park Great Falls, MT

For a wide open open vision of the West, try Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump state park. The park was recently renamed, "First Peoples Buffalo Jump," but will always be Ulm Pishkun to me. From a distance, the cliffs look unimpressive as they so subtly blend into the rolling planes---but that is what made the buffalo jump so effective for thousands of years.

Best time to visit is when there has recently been rain, and the sky has opened up.

http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/site_282807.aspx
http://www.lewisandclarktrail.com/section3/montanacities/greatfalls/ulmpishkun/

July 4, 2007 S FORK OF PAYETTE FLOAT

Mid week July 4th Holiday this year, so no time to go very far out of town. A scorching hot day, so it was a good time to take the day-long raft trip through "Swirly Canyon" on the South Fork of the Payette River.


I had done the same float in Sept 1997, and experienced a spectacular flip going over Little Falls.
Relatively tame this year in 2007.

October 2007 BOZEMAN, MT MSU & Museum of Rockies

A quick drive back to Bozeman, MT from Boise to see a Bobcats football game, and to catch up with some family and Friends. We dropped by the Museum of the Rockies to check on the dinosaurs, and old place where I used to live too.



It was a cold day in the stands at Bobcat Stadium with every kind of weather coming in from the north---rain, wind, sleet, snow, black clouds, and finally sun and blue sky at the end of the game. Same old Bozeman.

It was a lackluster game until the 4th quarter, but a victory is a victory.

MSU vs. Sacramento State

a victory.

March 2007 BOSTON MASS

I had long wanted to experience Boston, Mass, and finally made it happen in March. The largest snow storm of the year had come through the weekend before I arrived, but all things considered, the weather was relatively cooperative. I did the usual frenzied couple of days trying to see everything--Freedom Trail, JFK Library, Bunker Hill, Harvard, the Aquarium, Prudential Center, Concord, and you name it--but then just enjoyed the last few days. A great place to check in on a lot of history, I stayed downtown at the Omni Parker House, which was the sight of JFK's bachelor party of all things.



I caught up with some old friends from Boise at Cheers of all places.

The JFK Library had an impressive view of the city, and a glossed over look at Camelot.

March 2007 FENWAY PARK BOSTON MASS

I'm not much of a pro baseball fan, but I have friends that are--especially of the Boston Red Sox. I went on a Stadium Tour as a whim, but it actually stood out from the whole trip to Boston. A quirky place, it has a lot of character compared to modern day stadiums. And this was all before the 2007 World Series win.

May 4 2007 P-38 DAY at the WARHAWK AIR MUSEUM

P-38 and other aircraft were visiting the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, ID on Saturday. I've flown in a P-51 Mustang, and a B-25 Mitchel, and a T-6 Texan. Someday maybe the P-38.

The warhawk museum is well worth the drive not just for the aircraft but also the history of an era.--kind of funny how few people in Boise have even been there.
http://www.warhawkairmuseum.org/

May 4 2007 CIVIL WAR HISTORY DAY

Saturday was Civil War Living History Day at Eaglie Island State Park. Maybe a bit windy, but still a chance to see battle re-enactment, fire a cannon, and visit with Honest Abe. The volunteers put much effort into the event.