Idaho at Play

Once people figure out where Idaho is, they typically want to know what there is to do in Idaho.

The answer is – plenty.

Idaho Work and Play gave you a peek of the Work side of Idaho (from my perspective). This post shares some of the Play side of Idaho.

Let the games begin.

The Great Outdoors

I don’t know anyone who would not appreciate the beautiful scenery Idaho has to offer.

My younger sister, Beth, and her husband, Mike, also live in Idaho.

Mike is a native Idahoan. His love for his home state has produced great photos and articles in Idaho Magazine.

Both Beth and Mike are avid hikers and Beth has even tried her hand (and feet) at rock-climbing.

So, when I was looking for some photos, I knew I didn’t have to look far.

The following slide show shares a small sample of the beauty that is Idaho. Below the video is information about the scenes shown.

Salmon River

The Salmon River runs through central and eastern Idaho. The Salmon River is known as the River of No Return, and is the longest flowing river (425 miles) within one state in the lower 48.

Some of the river activity includes kayaking, canoeing, sportsfishing, and rafting.

Sawtooth Mountains

The Sawtooth mountain range is part of the Rocky Mountains and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

The recreation area is the location of the headwaters of the Salmon River and over 300 alpine lakes.

Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park

Bruneau Dunes State Park has bragging rights for the tallest single-structured sand dune (470 feet) in North America.

Mike shared that every visit is unique, depending on the time of the day, the season, and the weather,

Mile particularly enjoys looking at the animal tracks in the sand and the patterns produced by the wind.

White Cloud Mountains

White Cloud Mountains have some of the most scenic hiking trails you’ll find. All you have to do is look at the beautiful photo in the video to understand how these mountains got their name.

Located within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the White Clouds are part of the largest unprotected roadless area in the United States outside of Alaska.

Mike describes the area as ~

A backpacker’s paradise with the water, the mountains, the reflections–what else needs said?

Stanley

Stanley is located in central Idaho and has been a favorite spot for my family since my parents moved to Boise in the late 1970s.

The Chamber of Commerce describes Stanley as a playground for all seasons, often referred to as the American Alps.

Biking, hiking, rafting, fishing, skiing – you name it – Stanley has it all, including music festivals and art and craft shows.

McCall Winter Carnival

McCall Winter Carnival takes on winter and offers some of the most jaw-dropping ice sculptures you have ever seen.

Locals deck out in Mardi Gras beads and not only create the ice sculptures, but participate in snowshoe golf, and variety shows.

The event reminds me of my days in Minneapolis where locals embrace winter (usually while I camped out in front of the fireplace).

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

The Idaho Shakespeare Festival brought me back to my high school days. I was a volunteer usher at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, which at the time was located in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

The Great Lakes version later became known as the Great Lakes Theater and relocated to Cleveland.

Imagine my surprise (and delight) to learn Idaho had a similar festival (although in an outdoor amphitheater) and actually developed a production partnership with the Great Lakes Theater.

The Festival operates under an agreement with the Idaho Foundation for Parks & Lands and the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation.

So grab your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the masterpieces of Shakespeare.

Idaho at Play

I hope you have a different impression of Idaho – and would know how to find us.

I’ve only touched the surface of Idaho at Play.

=================

Live…Laugh…Love

Map image – BigStock Photo Credit