Over the years, we’ve been in many cities, both capitals and smaller cities. Boise, Idaho ranks high in our estimation as one of the most attractive downtowns we’ve seen.
With a population of over 200,000, Boise still seems like an accessible and people-friendly place to live, raise children, work, and enjoy leisure time.
We spent two terrific days in Boise, Idaho and wished we had more time. After starting in West Yellowstone and driving west on Interstate 86, then Interstate 84, and contending with construction traffic, we finally arrived.
We checked into the Hyatt Place Boise on North Milwaukee Street not too far from the highway, our first experience at a Hyatt Place. We were impressed!
The friendly staff was smiling and efficient. If we hadn’t had so many questions as first-timers, we could actually have used the automated check in. However, our host was eager to show us around in the lobby. Everything is easy to access.
The décor is sleek and inviting. We really liked the room, too. Technology is very much accounted for- you can use the free wireless Internet connections or dock your iPod. The bed is in an alcove-like arrangement so there is a feeling of a suite. The “living room” has a fabulous couch that wraps around with an ottoman. In the “office area” a desk with connections faces away from a small fridge with a wet sink and a coffee maker. http://boisetownesquaremall.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/place/index.jsp
Great space!
If you’ve been reading the blogs, you know that we wouldn’t miss a Farmers’ Market. Boise’s Farmers Market is certainly worth seeing! Such fun – and four blocks worth of scrumptious fresh produce, hand made items and entertainment in downtown Boise every Saturday, from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Boise Farmers Market
A fun way to spend a Saturday
The atmosphere is entertaining and everyone seems to be in a festive mood.
Entertainers at Boise Downtown Farmers Market
Fresh cheese, delicious brittle pine nut candy, and some hand-carved wooden items were some of the great items we purchased. If we had lived there, we would have chosen fresh eggs, meats, flowers and – well, it would be hard to hold us back!
Boise Farmers Market has almost everything everyone would ever want to eat - cheese, eggs, meats, fresh produce, candy - and crafts
Then, we decided on a fun café/pub-like restaurant, the Brick Oven Bistro, at 801 Main Street. After review of an enormous menu of soups, salads, main dishes with so many choices I had trouble choosing, I had some terrific food. The portions were enormous and the staff was competent, efficient and friendly. I spilled my soup as I sat down and a staffer was so nice about cleaning up my messy spot at the table. Reasonable prices, great food, fun atmosphere – we recommend Brick Oven Bistro! http://www.brickovenbistro.com/
Come back next week when we take a jaunt to a penitentiary where they cultivate flowers!
Sometimes the name says it all – Grand! Grand Teton certainly is large and imposing, majestic and eye-catching. We spent a few hours viewing the mountains as we drove through on our way to Yellowstone, plus we stopped at the very appealing Jenny Lake and the informative and attractive Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.
If you think you have seen everything worth seeing at Yellowstone National Park, well, you haven’t! We have one more major sight to share – the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Actually, there are two different falls that visitors can get fairly close to. And we do mean close! – The sound of the water rushing is almost deafening at one location!
After you have visited the other locations we’ve told you about, it is definitely worth a ride to the Canyon Village area, which is in the vicinity of the Canyons and the falls (Upper and Lower).
The walks at each location are fairly short and you might have to jostle for position in some locations to get a good photo, but do take the time to see the falls! (more…)
Continuing our visit to Yellowstone National Park…
While we waited for Old Faithful to perform, we wandered over to Old Faithful Inn, an old dowager of a National Park’s hotel. The fascinating thing about the Inn is that it was built from stones, wood and other materials that were primarily brought from within a 5-mile radius, according to a tour guide we heard in the massive five-story lobby. The lobby has large, rustic logs that have been burnished by time. Nearby stairways are mini-sculptural wood pieces that look like antlers. The lobby’s giant fireplace is also most impressive.
The main part of the hotel, built in 1904, has a dining room, also massive. There are newer wings as well. If you decide you’d like to stay in the Inn, plan to book ‘way far ahead! The rates, unless you are willing to do without an in-room bathroom ($96), range from that low to a $500 price tag for a suite. There are no modern amenities – no phones, TVs, air conditioning and Internet hook-ups, etc. You are meant to get your entertainment from nature while at Yellowstone and, if you look around, you won’t be disappointed.
There are two other hotel properties nearby, but since we were afraid we’d miss Old Faithful’s performance, we didn’t stop to see them.
http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/
Yellowstone, the first National Park in what later became a National Park System, is an incredible place to explore. Sometimes, just driving can give you amazing views of the wildlife and natural wonders available. The 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone are located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with some of its land spilling into Idaho and Montana.
Yellowstone National Park southern entrance
Entering Yellowstone from the south via Grand Tetons (more on that park another week) we drove in on Route 89/191/297. We had paid for a park pass at Grand Teton that was good for both parks for seven days. ($25 in our case, an annual pass is $50)
In late May, as we headed past Lewis Lake, the water was still frozen and it was still cold outside, as evidenced by our need to use the car’s defroster. According to the map, the road on which we entered was actually closed until mid-May. Apparently, only the two east and one north entrances are open year round.
Everyone has heard about Old Faithful, (more…)
Just when you thought you’d never see another blog from Travel Tips and Adventures…well, here we are again!
Some other business activities have been keeping me busy – which I’ll share with you all soon. We also had the infamous “technical difficulties.”
In the meanwhile, we’ve been traveling and will, over the weeks to come, be offering our accounts of our visits to Yellowstone National Park, Southern Idaho and travel eats and accommodations along the way.
We’re getting very close to having traveled to every state in the United States – especially my husband – and on this particular trip, we were in five different states – Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
In the Western United States, spaces seem more spacious. Although places may look close on a map, you can drive for many miles before seeing another town or any humans. Other than car occupants, what we saw more of than anything in our travels were buffalo – or bison – at Yellowstone National Park.
We also saw one lone buffalo that had strayed out of Yellowstone and was munching placidly on grass in the small resort town, West Yellowstone, adjacent to the Park. The buffalo was now legendary, as he had been in West Yellowstone for a week. Turning up behind a restaurant, behind someone’s home and in various other parts of town, no one seemed too concerned about their new inhabitant. The theory seemed to be, “let it be.”
Tune in next week and we’ll share more about our trip to the 2.2 million acres!! (we didn’t get to all of them, but many amazing locations) of Yellowstone National Park.
Tucson is old. On this blog previously we’ve featured centuries-old churches and other architectural sites. Today, we’re highlighting some of the “modern” – 100 years or less – sights, plus scenery. (more…)
After a long trek around the University of Arizona campus, resting my tired feet while trying out the Old Pueblo Trolley was much anticipated. The Old Pueblo Trolley, billed on their Web site as “an operating transit museum” is a short, evocative experience. (more…)
Tucson, Arizona is many places -a resort, an old historic city and the home of the Wildcats – the University of Arizona. We’ve already highlighted some of the attractions (Old Tucson Studios, Saguaro National Park). Depending on your interests, there is much to do in Tucson and the environs: Kitt Peak, Mount Lemmon, Picacho Peak, Biosphere 2 (see our blog). (more…)
