Exploring Idaho

I decided to take a drive out of Boise on Sunday to see a bit of the surounding country. I went east out of town on Route 21 past Lucky Peak reservoir and toward Idaho City. It was a great drive along winding roads with scenic views of tall ponderosa pines, river valleys, and the surrounding foothills. I took the following photos along the drive.

This is Lucky Peak reservoir, which was made by the US Army Corps of Enginners by damming up the upstream flows of what becomes the Boise River. There are two generating dams east of Boise that regulate the flow oif the river through town. The second photo is looking west from Lucky Peak at the beginnings of the Boise River.

I went on to Idaho City from here. I didn't do any research first or perhaps I wouldn't have bothered... So after about a 30 minute drive on beuatifully scenic mountain roads, I come into a town with a population of 498 (at least that's what the sign said...) Turns out idaho City is an old prospecting town that I'm guessing doesn't look too much different than it did in 1850. As drove down the main street in town, I could picture horse carriages going up & down the street and pulling up to old general stores and saloons.

This place defies description. I saw this building at the end of the main street. It's the equivalent of a one of those theme restaurants you see where the owners give customers crayons and tell them to write anything they want on the walls. Except this is on the outside. I did see a sign for Trailways Bus Lines but I'm not sure it that was real or not.

I'm going to head north next time on Route 55 toward McCall. Can't wait to see what that trip has in store...