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.