June Reflections

A rainbow of beautiful wildflowers above the North Fork Boise River

High water on the North Fork Boise River

The end of June is upon us, and I've been behind on my blog posts. I've spent so much time outside this month, which is just how I envision spending the idyllic summer time. I'm sharing photos of my June outdoor adventures here. It has been a month jam-packed with hiking, camping trips, weather of all varieties, and spending time with wonderful friends. In COVID-19 news, it appears that we took two steps forward with re-opening and one step back, as the Boise areas has regressed back to Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebound plan. I am continuing to enjoy spending lots of time outdoors, and feel lucky that my daily routine has not changed much and that my I can still pursue my hobbies and interests outdoors during this time. July is looking to be another busy and adventurous month, exactly how summer is. Summer time in Idaho is unfolding to be full of exploration, and pockets of sweet, slow outdoor time.

Snow near Idaho City - is it June or December?!

Beautiful rocks and waterfalls on the Hull's Gulch Interpretive Trail

Took a camping trip to beautiful Warm Lake and the South Fork Salmon River

Summer view of Bogus Basin from the Around the Mountain Trail

Sitka columbine (Aquilegia formosa) at Bogus Basin

A gardening success! My clematis blooms

Beautiful field of mariposa lilies near Cascade

Enjoying an overcast day on Lake Cascade

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Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Driving Tour

Driving tour of Birds of Prey National Conservation Area - click here to see the brochure and map A couple of weeks ago, I took a driving tour of the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. The driving route outlines some notable geographic features of the area, as well as bringing birds to great spots above the Snake River for catching glimpses of birds of prey. Read more about the history of this unique area here . View of Initial Point Snake River at Celebration Park Helpful bird identification sign at Dedication Point This sign at the Kuna Visitors Center has great ideas for stops along the Western Heritage Historic Byway View from Dedication Point

Backpacking in the Sawtooth Wilderness

Sawtooth Wilderness boundary Looking toward the far side of Farley Lake - the first campsite This past weekend, I went backpacking on an iconic loop in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho. The Sawtooths are beloved and renowned for their dramatic sharp, rocky peaks that resemble the teeth on a saw. I had only been to the Sawtooths once before (six years ago when I was working a seasonal position in McCall), so I was looking forward to exploring more. I hiked the Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake Loop , and spent two nights in the backcountry. This was the perfect amount of time to spend backpacking, since it's been several years since I've hit the trail and done backcountry camping. My back and legs were achy and tired by the end of the weekend, but this trip itinerary allowed The fire smoke that has been looming over Boise was present in Stanley (a small river town close to the Sawtooths) and the views of the mountains took on a dreamlike, mystical quality w...

Quarantine Driving Tour of Boise

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Boise By Nature

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