Talk about Southern Idaho

“Meadowlarks, bluebirds and people!”  It must be spring or getting close as the birds are coming back and people are getting out and about.  We have had some nice days as of late and it makes us wonder if spring is really here.   Spring means we can get outside in the fresh air and shake off the doldrums of winter….we have a few suggestions: 

This weekend, March 13  at Malad Gorge Unit of Thousand Springs State Park is the St. Patrick’s Day Fun Run sponsored by the Hagerman Valley Chamber of Commerce.  You can walk or run…and it is a great way to usher in spring…plus burn some calories before indulging in your St. Patrick’s Day corn beef and cabbage.

• Historic Downtown Twin Falls hosts one of the most colorful and maybe one of the shortest parades on Main Avenue.  It is great fun and remember on St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish!  The fun starts at noon!
• Head out to the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds for the Magic Valley Gem Show….fun and education for the entire family.
• With the advent of warm weather….it is time for Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball at the College of Southern Idaho.  They are good and oh-so-fun to watch!
• Go treasure hunting - every weekend through the fall is the Flea Market at Billingsley Creek Unit of Thousand Springs State Park.
• And of course it is Simply Sinatra or Steve Lippia doing Sinatra on March 29.  This is part of the Arts on Tour schedule in the Fine Arts Center on the College of Southern Idaho Campus.

Take Care *  Be Safe *  Be Happy …and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho!

Welcome 2010 - we hope this New Year is one of hope, peace and one where we truly work with each other to accomplish things for the collective good. The last little while many of us have focused our efforts to prevent the closure of  Thousand Springs State Park.  The collective units of this Park represent the best of our area…fishing, hiking, history, spectacular scenery and of course water - the lifeblood of our Valley. The  unique experiences offered are intrinsic to Idahoans and a gift we offer to guests of our state. Have you seen the Devil at the Devil’s Washbowl, enjoyed a hike along Billingsley Creek, enjoyed the splendor of Niagara Springs or fished at Crystal Lake?  The St Patrick’s Day Run at Malad Gorge means spring is here and the Thousand Springs Festival in September attracts thousands of visitors to historic Ritter Island. These are only a few of the experiences that could be lost if Thousand Springs State Park is closed.  We need your help - please contact Governor Butch Otter  or our Legislators mbell@house.idaho.gov or dcameron@senate.idaho.gov  and tell them how much Thousand Springs Park means to you and also how integral Idaho Parks and Recreation is to the management of  all our State Parks.   You can send your comments to contact@visitsouthidaho.com  or just comment on our  blog; we’ll pass them on. Margaret Mead said -  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ”   Be Safe* Be Happy * and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho!

There is a bit of snow on the ground, it is winter here in Southern Idaho and Thanksgiving is just a few days away. This is the time of year we work to update and make changes especially to our website that will give you the information you want and need plus some little extras. Right now we are proud for you to be able to  “Bid on the Best.” Yes you can actually buy products and packages representing the best of Southern Idaho…the first few packages are online now…just click and bid.  In the coming days you will be able to bid on some exciting packages such as skiing packages, a dinner cruise and a whitewater raft trip….we hope you’ll keep checking back.   Thank you for allowing us share all that is new, exciting and wonderful about Southern Idaho with you.  On a personal note, thank you for allowing me to come into your computers and visit with you from time to time…it is truly one of the joys of my busy life. It has been a year of change in my family…my mom has moved from my hometown…my brother, sisters and I were the recipients of many things in my parents’ home.  My father passed away over nine years ago –although it seems like only yesterday and my mom generously shared with all of us many of my dad’s belongings - now treasured by all of us. Following this tradition, last night, I gave my son; books his Grandfather loved and wanted him to have.   My son is allowing me to keep a pencil sketch he made of his beloved Grandpa until he is settled in a permanent place.  Now my dad will look down from the upstairs hallway all the time.  Sharing, memories and love - this is what Thanksgiving is all about. I hope this time of year finds you sharing love and memories with those you care about. Be safe * Have a Happy Thanksgiving and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho!

My childhood piano teacher used to say that fashion, music - everything always comes back every 30 years.  Jane was a really wise lady!  Look at the fashions of today…the empire waist-tops and heaven-forbid – bell-bottom jeans and platform shoes….all are making a return engagement from the 70’s.  As summer turns to fall…we turn inside for entertainment as the weather is too unpredictable for playing outside – We’ve had snow and a little rain–interspersed are the beautiful blue skies and golden colors of fall. The days are cool, the nights even cooler – the trees are turning from green to red and gold. Take a drive –one of the easiest and best is a drive to the South Hills through the Sawtooth National Forest - just travel southeast of Twin Falls through Hansen and Kimberly. Take a walk, shuffle through the leaves or go for a run before the snow and the cold sends us inside to the treadmills.  One of the best things about fall is the food – go out and eat. Any of our small communities feature great places to eat – explore the flavors of our valley or better yet learn to cook at Rudy’s A Cook’s Paradise – they have a full schedule of cooking classes. Haunted Houses are big and one of the best is at Campus Grove in Albion.  The former Albion Normal School (where many of our teachers were educated early on) has been transformed into Haunted Mansions and from all reports will scare your socks off!   If you’re after tamer fare for younger kids the CSI Corn Maze is a great place - twist and turn on nearly a mile of trail in the corn.  And if you are a craft-show aficionado – do not miss the best of the best – the CSI Craft Show and Sale – November 6 – 8 at the CSI Expo Center.  Anytime is a great time in Southern Idaho – come stay and play!Be Safe * Be Happy and we’ll see you soon!

Take a bike ride - you don’t have to wait for it to cool off and the trails are calling….whether you ride in the hills, the parks or on the road - get on the two-wheeler and ride.  Take a walk - with your husband - with your kids, with your dog or just clear your mind -the weather is beautiful  - the past few days there has not been a cloud in the sky and just a hint of breeze!  If you are a runner - I run to clear my head - it is a great time to put some miles in before we are relegated to the treadmills!

There are some great events coming up!  One of the premier events of our area…the Thousand Springs Festival is this weekend at Ritter Island which is now part of the Thousand Springs State Park.  This is a benefit for the Southern Idaho Land Trust - go and enjoy - you will not be disappointed.  Oktoberfest in Downtown Twin Falls is October 2 and 3 - a can’t miss event.

Going back to my “mom” days - take in a cross-country event and cheer on the runners at your local high school or experience “Friday Night Lights” Idaho-style in any of our communities at the local high school football stadium…you will have a great time!

Last night, we went to see “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  This was the Montana Repertory Theatre’s performance as part the 2009-2010 Arts on Tour Season….it was a great performance.  We will not miss another performance - the arts are alive in our community!  

We hope you are having a wonderful fall - please know that any  time is a great time to visit - there is so much to see and do. 

Take care - be safe and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho

Summer is winding down.  The tell-tale signs are the back-to-school ads, feverish efforts to finish highway construction projects and the push to have a few more weeks of summer fun.  When school starts folks are locked into the routine of school and work and the activities of fall.  Since life as most of us knew it has changed because of the economy – a word has crept into our vocabulary – the word is “staycation.”  This means you stay at home or closer to instead of traveling far from home for relaxation and fun.  I read an article last week where the author actually stayed in his home and surfed the endless channels on his tv and gave a report of the unusual programs available.  If your idea of fun and relaxation is different….may we suggest: 

• A County Fair – upcoming are fairs in Jerome, Cassia, Gooding and Twin Falls Counties.  Fairs are terrific events with something for every member of your family.

• The last literal enactment of the crossing of the Snake River by the pioneers at Three Island State Park west of Mountain Home.

• Get Outside!  Explore and hike and bike  or just soak in the surrounding scenery at City of Rocks NationalReserve and Castle Rocks State Park or the nine units of Thousand Springs State Park in and around Hagerman. 

• When we were kids we used to call it “sleeping out”  - what we did was go camping…and there are great places…the South Hills – part of the Sawtooth National Forest is a terrific place.  Be careful – the fire danger is high and as Smoky says – “only you can prevent wildfires.”

• And indeed if you want to stay closer to home – explore the various parks within our communities  - they are great places to while away an afternoon.

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer.

Take Care * Be Safe and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho.

VFR – in tourism-talk this is the acronym for visiting friends and family.  This weekend is my husband’s 40^th class reunion and there are many others in our valley, it is the time to re-connect with old friends and visit family.  Time is a great equalizer – we all experience challenges just living our lives – what was perhaps important in high school is no more.  Time is valuable - it is better spent sharing memories and reconnecting with old friends in a new and meaningful way.  I did not grow up here or go to high school here – yet I know the Class of ’69 Reunion will be a highlight of our summer.  It will be the warm and good memories we will reflect on during the cold days of winter; we will have “new” old friends to email back and forth or literally spend time with.  And we will draw on these good memories as we face or support friends and family through the heartbreaks life will present. Yet - this weekend here and in countless communities it is a time of celebration, of life, of change, of growing up, of good friends and the coming together again.  We welcome the families coming together and the reuniting of classmates for the many class reunions– a special welcome to the Twin Falls High School Class of 1969 – welcome home to Southern Idaho…have fun making memories!

Upcoming over the next few weeks are some terrific events:  It is County Fair season – this week the Camas County Fair and the Minidoka County Fair swing into action….county fairs are a microcosm of our lives – experience and enjoy!  The world comes to the Magic Valley with the 5^th Annual International Dance and Music Festival in Burley.  Teams of international musicians and dancers share their native drama, music and culture in one of the most captivating events in Southern Idaho – this is a must-see!!! 

Take care * Be Safe * Be Happy and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho

On this the 40^th anniversary of the first man on the moon…we invite you to visit the moon….Craters of the Moon that is.  This is a National Park property, jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.  You can drive or walk. We recommend walking; marvel at the forces that created this amazing and weird landscape some 2000 years ago.  The lava flows, softened this time of year by Syringa flowers is an unforgettable site.  Craters of the Moon is part of of the legacy of space exploration  In 1969, NASA astronauts Alan Shepherd, Edgar Mitchell, Eugene Cernan, and Joe Engle explored Craters of the Moon while training to visit the moon.  Their first steps before landing on the moon were on the moon-like landscape of Craters of the Moon. Travel to Craters via Highway 20- it is the construction season….check 511.gov for road construction updates.  Craters of the Moon is only a click-away if you want more information.  Space exploration tells us anything is possible – we just have to show up daily and make it reality! Take care – stay safe and we’ll talk soon!

Southern Idaho is remarkable for the variety of unique events and recreational opportunities.  Last weekend was an amazing time – for those of you who celebrated the 4^th of July with us….thank you!  I went to Buhl for Sagebrush Days  - had a great time – ran a little  and marveled at this small community swelling to twice its size for the 4^th of July parade.  Yesterday I was in Rupert   - if you haven’t been to the Historic Rupert Square – do so….there are historic buildings, great shops and great restaurants tucked right in the center of town.  Be sure to stop by the Historic Wilson Theatre – the town has combined human and financial resources to restore this wonderful building.  Immediately, outside of the Wilson Theatre is the story of Rupert – it used to be known as WellFirst…and it boasts having the first all-electric high school in the US.  Of course, if you are a quilter (or not) – The Gathering Place is feast for the eyes and makes you want to get creative! This weekend is two great events – the Lavender Festival just outside of Buhl.  Go early and follow the signs.  Experience lavender in all ways possible!!!  Or if you want a great old-fashioned community celebration it is Good Neighbor Days in Kimberly – a fun run, breakfast and events in the park in a truly great community – have fun with all the good neighborly citizens of Kimberly.  Coming up July 17 is the Star Party at Castle Rocks State Park in Almo….view the stars among the magnificent spires of this gem of a park.  And of course, the county fairs in our communities start the end of July – each is unique and fun…. come be our guest!!!  If you travel with a pet – make sure your furry family member has an ID tag – we learned that puppies and kitties wander away or in our case tunneled out of the back yard to get away from the sound of the fireworks – there was no reprieve.  Good neighbors rescued our Bu from the busy streets and were looking for his home; when we arrived after walking a few blocks for a clear view of the fireworks.  Bu now has a tag with his address and telephone number.  Lesson learned! 

Our National and State Parks are treasures – you will see amazing sites and there is plenty of recreation opportunities for everyone - The City of Rocks National Reserve has over 22 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding…all set in a most amazing landscape!  Explore the City of Rocks and its sister – Castle Rocks State Park  right next door. The wildflowers are blooming at Craters of the Moon National Monument.   It is remarkable to see all the color softening the lava rock.  It is construction season – if you are traveling eastbound to Craters of the Moon – take Highway 20 as Highway 93 from Shoshone to Carey is closed until July 6.The picture to the left is Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Nature Preserve – this is one of nine units of Thousand Springs State Park.  This is a great time of year to hike – it is warmer but not too hot.  You will see the springs surrounded by a desert landscape.  The path is steep – please use caution…and you can always take in the view from the overlook at the top. Ritter Island – another unit of Thousand Springs State Park is open.  The birds and the kids (of all ages) are eating the cherries – don’t you just love summer!  This is a special place – don’t miss it – hours are 10 am – 3 pm seven days a week! Have you made plans for 4^th of July – can you believe this All-American holiday is just around the corner….our Calendar of Events lists all the community celebrations in the area

May we suggest….Buhl Sagebrush Days features a full day of events – starting with a fun run and then the parade and of course -  food and fun all day in the park.   Historic Downtown Twin Falls hosts the first-annual Quilt Walk - July 1 – 4; it is new this year – we hope to see you strolling Main Street to view the quilts displayed on storefronts.

Take care - Be Safe - and we’ll see you soon in Southern Idaho!