Old Olympic Venue

On my brother's recommendation, Don and I, braved a late night at the Old Olympic Hotel building to see Joe Pug. He really is quite good, reminiscent of Bob Dillion in his lyrics and style. The show started out with Heather Meuleman, then Nick Dleffs. I felt Nick's voice was more Bob Dillion-ish. They were on a couple hours. Cool venue (music rather loud, but we're seniors, what can I say :D); however, Joe didn't come on until 10:00. We left after three songs, having been worn out from two hours of feeling a bit battered. My beloved, who was a sound guy in the past, said they were too close to the mic and the voice/instrument balance was off, or something like that, which as too bad because I really liked the guy.

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire

Arrrggghhhh! Forgot when all this started, July? August?

Date With My Honey

We don't get out much, just not a "nightlife" couple, but I needed a date! On recommendation from someone we met at Barnes and Noble, we tried chandlers, a very popular place to dine, have a drink, listen to piano player or jazz band (if you can hear them, pretty noisy but great club atmosphere). We didn't eat there but have been told the food is quite good. We looked at a menu out of curiosity and they were more reasonable than anticipated, but still a little in the high range.

The bar!

The band!

The women! Oh, that's me! Beware the martinis if you are a light drinker, so good, but powerful!

Visit to the Idaho Botanical Gardens

On one of the rare cooler days (80s), Don and went to the Idaho Botanical Gardens up against the foothills of Boise, built on the grounds of the old state penitentiary. I have to remember as I write this that we had, for twice the price, an emmense and lovely botanical garden in Denver, and not to let that influence my impression of this one in Boise. We showed up a little later in the flowering season, so some plants, such as the roses, were not in their full glory. For a small city, it's a lovely little garden to experience a little peace and tranquility in nature. The website, idahobotanicalgarden.org, has listings of events such as winter lighting and concerts (which I hear are pretty fabulous). The garden store appeared quite small. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays so we didn't get to go inside. For restroom "facilities," there are two outdoor portapottys. My bladder won't cooperate unless I can flush something so I didn't drink tons of water! :D

Unless you're on an I pad, I don't think you can read this map. 

The store. 

This must be the concert area. 

Lots of these little guys running around. 

Picnic area across from the store. 

The "facilities."

Part of old penitentiary. 

Finally!

Our apartment had no laundry facilities. After "handwashing" clothes while in the shower, we decided it was time to visit the dreaded laundromat. Advice for Boisians, avoid the one on Fairview. However, playing Pacman was a blast from my college past! 

We have moved into our house! This is the seller's pic. 

So "before."

After. "Nimbus" from Benjamin Moore. 

And we couldn't have done it without my dear friends for 24 years, Deb and Kurt, who drove all the way out from Colorado (with Kurt's paint sprayer) just to help. Bravo Deb and Kurt! 

Closing Tomorrow!

We have been acquiring furniture, and of course, fun stuff! Can hardly wait to close on the house tomorrow! I've gone all Joanna Gains for the front porch. Added these warm firefly lights from a Craft Warehouse, and a new bucket, compliments of Cost Plus. 

Hot in Boise

High desert outside of town. 

How Boisians keep the hills brown. 

;)

Lucky Peak State Park Swim Beach

 Brrrrr! But you really do get used to it, except for when you actually try to swim. The water is a  little murky, goose droppings, but not a bad place for five bucks a day. Lots of shade and a place to rent paddle boards and buy slushies. 

 I was quite proud of myself to get all the way in. It took about a 45 min to stop being an old lady and just do it! 

How Lavender Got Me Driving Again

Last night, on the news, I found that there is a yearly lavender festival at the Lavender Merchant, a farm in Kuna Idaho. The next day, Sunday, was the last day. Lavender is like a siren calling me out to sea and I have great planting plans for it at our soon to be house. I had to go! Since arriving in Boise, I had only driven by myself to the thrift store a few blocks down the street from our apartment. Not usually hesitant to drive, this move had me dazed and more confused than usual. In Colorado, the mountains were in the West, here they're in the East; therefore, confusing my inner compass. But a lavender festival! I had to go and I had to do it myself, Don is not fond of mornings or heat.

 A merchant mentioned that by Sunday, most things and merchants are gone. Getting there in the morning is important, unless one enjoys temps of above 100. There is food, drink, and apparently a musician who wasn't yet there. Enjoy and purchase lavender oil, lotion, soap, sachets, etc. There were also lots of country decor items. One can grab a basket and picket a bouquet of lavender from the fields for 5.00. It was wonderful to be out in the countryside.

I couldn't resist a chair to paint a fun color and box to use as a planter. Very reasonable. So fun! 

This corn was more than knee high on the fourth of July. 

Exploratory Roadectomy

DISCLAIMER: This blog is not meant as a showcase for magnificent photography. I snap, many times, very quick pics, from my old, lowly android phone, IPad, or camera, often when riding in the car. That being said:

Last week we decided to, just to explore, drive over the Idaho border to Ontario, Oregon (about 55 miles) on hwy 26, the way I someday plan to drive to the Oregon coast. Here is what that stretch of road looks like.

Back on 84

Underwhelming? I hear it gets much better as one heads further west. 😉

We didn't actually drive into Ontario as my inner ear prob got ugly and we had to return to Boise. Here's a pic I got off the internet. Okay, well, there ya are. 

I almost forgot! We stopped at a small park next to the Snake River. A little on the muddy, smelly side, but that could have been due to the receding waters and intense heat. Sound fun? 

There's More to Baseball Than Baseball

Our first minor league game, the Boise Hawks vs Eugene Emeralds. Not like a major league team (usually), hits were at a minimum. Therefore, inbetween sips of beer and nudging Don to a state of wakefullness, I focused my attention on the "entertainment." The highlight of the evening was Kohl, the bat dog. The audience soon began hoping for hits, not to score, but to watch Kohl retrieve bats. Good dog!

Another highlight was the potato race, for those of us with ultra-short attention spans who enjoy campy things. (pic from MiLB.com)

If you enjoy sentimentality, silly fun, and a small town atmosphere, you would enjoy a Boise Hawks game. The net was a bit of a distraction (which can be seen when enlarging the pics), but my head has a history of attracting balls so I was grateful for it.