Boise By Nature

  March sunrise in the foothills Happy March! It feels like spring could be right around the corner, and with the change in seasons, I feel a burst of energy. I have been reflecting on the past year, and all of the challenges and silver linings that have come along with a year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is mind boggling to think about a year ago, when I was aware of coronavirus, but also so naive in the fact that our daily lives would be turned upside down, routines upended, and our. It feels so hopeful to be going into the spring with three approved vaccines, with lighter days, and with the promise of a new season of growth.  With the spring sunshine, it's the perfect time to start getting back out on the trails in the foothills again. I had a wonderful winter of cross-country skiing, which I've always loved, but this year, being out on snowy trails in the peaceful woods was such a perfect antidote to lots of time indoors working on the computer. I'm starting to turn my ...

Beautiful winter view from the yurt Christmas sunrise! Along with backpacks, we used a pulk sled to carry our food and gear to the yurt   Snowshoes on the porch - can't beat the view Rocky Ridge yurt is perched on a ridgeline with scenic mountain views in the Idaho backcountry Winter wonderland  For many people, this past holiday season was unusual: trying to limit gatherings and social interactions is the opposite of many holiday traditions of family meals, travel, and Christmas parties. I was lucky enough to have my parents come to Idaho, and we embarked on a Christmas adventure that was one for the books: we reserved an Idaho City backcountry yurt, and spent two nights in a winter wonderland. There are six different yurts in the Idaho City, all accessible at different Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Park n' Ski areas . Last winter, I stayed at the Skyline Yurt  with a few friends and had a wonderful time. All of these yurts are located in the Boise National Fo...

Having a dog by your side as an adventure buddy is so much fun, and since I became a dog owner, I have been able to explore so many different areas in and around Boise with my furry companion. I put together some photos with ideas of many places in Boise, and beyond, that are great destinations for you and your dog to check out. Be sure to follow all seven of the Leave No Trace principles , especially Plan Ahead & Prepare, Dispose of Waste Properly, and Be Considerate of Other Visitors.  Take your dog to one of the Park and Ski areas in the Idaho City areas for great year-round trails to explore and vistas to enjoy Does your dog love hiking? Consider taking them on a backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Barber Park along the Boise River is full of nature trails (leashes required) and opportunities for wading and swimming for your pet Mahalo Trail off Bogus Basin Road does have quite a few mountain bikers, but in cold or rainy weather, is a less busy option than some of...

Mahalo Trail Marker Last weekend, I went to check out the Mahalo Trail , a trail built by the Southwest Idaho Mountain Bike Association . Check out Stueby's Outdoor Journal for more information about the trail's origin and dedication.  This trail can be accessed off of Bogus Basin Road and Forest Service Road 275 C.  Saturday was dreary and rainy in Boise, but up on Mahalo Trail, it was snowing! It was exciting to welcome what may have been the first snow of the winter. I did not hike the entire Mahalo to Boise Ridge Road Loop due to the snow and not being prepared for cold weather, but I would love to come back and mountain bike this loop.   Despite being cloudy and snowy, there were some beautiful views of the valley and I enjoyed walking alone the ridgeline. I'm curious if this would be a good trail to snowshoe in the coming months, once we get a solid base of snow on the ground.  View on a cold day Ruby taking the lead  This bright lichen was a cheerfu...

Fall in the Boise foothills I went hiking this past Saturday and observed some beautiful fall colors amongst the Boise foothills. Enjoy these photos!   Wild rose hips add some nice orange and red colors to the foothills Hillside view with some slight haze from wildfires in the air View from the Orchard Gulch trail A glimpse into a very large and old Cottonwood tree Gray or rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)  

My sunflowers are still blooming into the autumn  Happy first day of fall! Today is the Autumnal Equinox, and the smoke from wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and California has finally left the Treasure Valley. I woke up on Sunday morning to beautiful clear blue skies, a welcome sight after several weeks of smoke so thick that the sun barely peeked through. After a week of air quality alerts in Boise, which made it hard to exercise outdoors, this past weekend prompted lots of outdoor recreation, and there was a hint of fall in air.  I love welcoming the autumn and noticing the cool, crisp mornings, changing fall colors, and taking delight in small things like hot coffee, various pumpkin recipes, and the beginning of a cozy season. This year looks a lot different for all of us, and routines have been upended, but fall is here, and choosing to mark time with the seasons can keep you in touch with nature and provide a sense of reassurance in an otherwise tumultuous season of life...

Beautiful fall sunset on a Military Reserve Trail Happy September! The month of September always seems like a fresh start, since it usually is the beginning of fall and beginning of the school year. This September, I'm looking forward to a month of highlights: Taking a vacation to the Pacific Northwest and exploring a beautiful area. Spending time on the trails of foothills through hiking and mountain biking. I'm excited to continue to get used to my new mountain bike, and use it to get further out on some of the local trails.  Continue my 2020 resolution to camp once monthly. Visit a winery on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail .  What are your September plans or goals?  A bit of fall color along the Boise River 

  View from 8th Street Extension Trail  A beautiful morning walk in the foothills  This week marks my anniversary of living in Boise for one year! I can hardly believe that this time last year, I was arriving in the City of Trees, strolling along the Boise Greenbelt in awe, and taking photos of the river. In some ways, it feels inconceivable that a year has gone by, but in other ways, the amount of things I've done and places I've gone in Idaho this past year seem impressive. It seems like a common theme that individual moments and days can seem slow, but years fly by.  In honor of my one-year anniversary of living in Boise, I jotted down a list of some of my favorite memories of exploring this city and state.   Memories of this past year (in no particular order): Floating the Boise River twice Showing my parents Boise (driving up to Bogus Basin, running a half marathon, the farmer's market, biking the Greenbelt,  hiking Ridge to Rivers trails, etc) Le...

  Flower bounty from my yard! One of the main thoughts my mind keeps returning to over the past several months of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the paradox we find ourselves in when it comes to planning. I have heard the phrase "summer is cancelled" or "2020 has been cancelled" which I can definitely relate to; weddings, friend reunions, half marathons, group camping trips, conferences, and more have been cancelled or postponed or rescheduled. One of the biggest mental challenges is realizing the unknown amount of time in which the pandemic will run its course. Events rescheduled for next year may be a joyful reunion or they may have to be postponed again or otherwise cancelled. I also find it interesting that at this time of uncertainty, there is a paradox in planning. We can't look ahead too far to plan for the future, but at the same time, some things that we want to do require extra preparation. Restaurants are taking reservations so that they can provide s...

North Fork Boise River   We're in the middle of an Excessive Heat Warning here in Boise, so there's no denying -- the dog days of summer are here! This past weekend prompted the question: when the temperatures move upward, what are ways to cool down? I've put together a few ideas to help you beat the heat! 1. Float the Boise River . This is one of the most popular ways to cool down in the City of Trees, and for good reason - it's a lot of fun! You can rent a tube, a raft, or an inflatable kayak from Boise River Raft & Tube  and float the cool stretch of the river from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park. There's nothing quite like experiencing Boise from a tube in the Boise River, and gaining a whole new perspective of the city by going under bridges, over a few rapids, and spotting riverside birds. The water temperature will leave you feeling utterly refreshed and chilled, perfect for these hot days!  2. Bike the Greenbelt. I biked a portion of the Boise River Gre...

Cherry tomatoes from my garden Scarlet Paintbrush ( Castilleja miniata ) View from Stack Rock Beautiful Greenbelt bridge Jeffrey's or Mountain Shooting Star ( Dodecatheon jeffreyi) It's currently July, and Boise is hot. The summer seems to be going by at a hurdling pace, but luckily I've managed to get outdoors quite a bit. Here's a few updates on life lately.   Thinking about... The ongoing pandemic, travel, how to be flexible with plans (necessary in this season of constantly changing travel restrictions, and hotspots of COVID-19 cases), how to stay in touch with friends, and the whole concept of "pause and pivot" which is related to coronavirus.  Listening to... I've been continuing to enjoy podcasts, including A Beautiful Mess Podcast , Office Ladies , and Spilled Milk . These are fun to listen to while cooking or cleaning around the house.  Cooking + eating + drinking... A great summer article is 101 Simple Salads for the Season from the New York Tim...

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 ...