We Built this City on Trees & We’ll Grow it on Rock & Roll (Or, Treefort Music Fest: A Forward-Looking Retrospective)
April 27th, 2012 | No Comments
Reposted from April 5, with permission from Dead Horse March and Catie.
A week or so ago, I lost the battle with my jelly legs and ringing ears. Inside the most packed, sweaty Neurolux I’ve seen in my limited 21+ lifespan, even the sweet sound of the Cave Singers couldn’t keep me from fleeing to topple into bed by eleven o’clock on the closing night of Boise‘s inaugural Treefort Music Fest. Sitting on a sparsely populated, sunny Sunday Neurolux patio now, I reflect. Wristbands have been shed, the unmarked van to car ratio has evened out, and the wait for oatmeal at Big City Coffee this Saturday was fifteen minutes instead of fifty. As much as I enjoy my own private Idaho most of the time, I’m not exactly glad to see Treefort go. The bustle that populated my usual stomping grounds seemed to belong in a way I wasn’t expecting. There is a reason we Boiseans choose to live here, and for a few days, several hundred extra people had the opportunity to figure it out.
There is often talk, late at night, in the darkness of (until recently) smoke-filled basement bars, of Boise and its potential, of its emerging as a center for creative folk. This isn’t a new idea, but recently it feels like one that’s becoming much more concrete. When I first got wind of Treefort in October of last year, I thought, “Please, oh please, oh please, be awesome.” There was plenty of fear that it would turn out similarly to previous attempts, portraying Boise, yet again, as a self-limiting toddler city. Contrarily, and I have done my best not to approach this as a Boise-loving, hometown-pride-touting maniac, Treefort easily surpassed my hopes and not only helped cement Boise into the minds of newcomers, but did so with prowess unexpected. Treefort, from the perspective of musicians and attendees alike, was a classy festival. Artists were treated like your grandma’s house guests with free bike rentals and hotel rooms. It felt as though all of Boise, including the weather, went out of its way to ensure a resounding nod of approval. So, we want you to like us. Maybe we try too hard. We’re like that here – nice, genuine, hospitable – and we’re not apologizing for it.
Oh, and the music. Yeah, that was okay too. The conflicted daze of choosing whether to see Built to Spill or Lemolo, Delicate Steve or Pickwick, and AU, Red Hands Black Feet or Solomon’s Hollow? Now, that’s the mark of a good festival. Highlights? This is a music blog after all . . .
- Finn Riggins kicking it off to a 6 p.m. on Thursday, full-up Neurolux
- Dance party at the Linen Building with Pickwick and Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside
- Blitzen Trapper’s super earnest three-person in-store at the Record Exchange with an appearance by some of those sweet Parson Redheads
- Lemolo’s same-time-as-Built-to-Spill set that eventually brought The Red Room to capacity and a glossy-eyed girl crush coma
- Motopony have so much energy I thought their singer’s eyeballs might explode
Best new/newly realized finds: Learning Team, Solomon’s Hollow, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake
The “emerging artist” bent of Treefort fits Boise’s present tense well. And while many of the artists mentioned here are hardly “emerging,” I am eager to watch them, this festival, and Boise itself find energy and growth in each other.
– Catie
Experience at Sun Valley Film Festival One to Remember
April 23rd, 2012 | No Comments
By Daniel Frandson, Idaho student, actor and guest blogger
The first annual Sun Valley Film Festival successfully got up and running on Thursday, March 15, 2012. Truly a great triumph, this festival brought film and the arts to a new level.
Daniel Frandson was one of the child actors in "Magic Valley."
Some of the new independent films featured were, “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”, “LUV”, “War Elephants”, “Soda Springs” and “Magic Valley”. Some of the shorts included, “Cabby”, “Star Waiters”, “Grandma Must Get Dry” and “Crawlspace”.
In celebration of a weekend of accomplishment, an award party was held in the Town Square. The “Vision Award” was presented to Heather Rae for “Magic Valley”. Jaffe Zinn was awarded the “Gem State Award” and the “One in a Million Award” for ‘Magic Valley”. “War Elephants” also received a “One in a Million Award’ and “Soda Springs” was granted the “Audience Award”.
The first Sun Valley Film Festival was very successful and achieved great praise from many people.
Actor’s Opinion:
By Daniel Frandson
The Sun Valley Film Festival was a great success and I think it will gain popularity in the years to come.
Jaffe Zinn receives the Gem State Award for "Magic Valley"
Being able to meet the directors and the producers of the films was very interesting and also a great experience. From an actor’s standpoint, it was beneficial to get feedback during the Question and Answer sessions.
All the volunteers and those who worked the festival were very considerate, kind and helpful. The filmmakers and the audience were very gracious.
The independent movies were very inspiring films because the plotlines were rarely repetitive, they worked with very low budgets and the directors always seemed genuinely concerned about the topics they were addressing.
Lodging at the Tamarack Lodge was great and even had pool. The scenery, as well as the snow, was beautiful. The only downside was there was very little food available before 4:30 p.m. or after 10:00 p.m. Luckily, The Pioneer Saloon went out of their way to accommodate us by keeping the kitchen open after closing.
The Sun Valley Film Festival was a wonderful experience – an experience of a lifetime – and I hope to attend many more. I thank Jaffe Zinn, Heather Rae and Laura Mehlhaff for giving me the opportunity to take part in this event.
Stanley and its Sensational Sawtooths
February 20th, 2012 | 1 Comment
When year-round recreation meets picturesque views, you’ve arrived in Stanley, Idaho. This is Sawtooth Mountain country, Stanley’s most deserved accolade.
As a last chance opportunity to vacation before the next semester of school began, Stanley was our trip of choice for fresh powder, outdoor recreation and evenings of pleasant relaxation. The roads were perfectly clear as we drove up Highway 21. When a front wheel drive Toyota can make it up to Stanley in mid January, I give my thanks to the local world-class experts in snow plowing (there has to be a 4-year degree for that)!
My girlfriend and I arrived at the Sawtooth Hotel around 3:00 pm. Constructed in 1931, this vintage log cabin with a priceless view of the Sawtooth Mountains, had the most harmonious feeling. On the first floor, hand-built tables and chairs set the stage for an authentic getaway. On the second floor, we found small rooms with old fashioned amenities that make you feel like you are spending the night at grandma’s house. During the winter, the Sawtooth Hotel is open Friday through Sunday for meals. Expect to see mountain aficionados bundled up in ski pants, Salomon boots and Patagonia jackets stopping by for hot food and a cold drink after a long day of skiing.
As the sun set, we made our way up Wall Street in downtown Stanley and walked along the groomed cross country ski and snowmobile trails. The sun set behind the Sawtooth Mountains, lighting the white snow caps with a fiery glow, like a volcano was about to erupt.
The next morning we set our sights on the pristine cross country ski trails at Alturas Lake just 20 short miles south of Stanley. Beautiful blue skies, groomed trails and untouched snow (for the backcountry folk) made for an exemplary time. Multiple maps allow plenty of variety and direction throughout the trail system. Our four-hour, 13 kilometer cross country adventure afforded immaculate views and world class photo opportunities, and won’t soon be forgotten.
On our way back from Alturas Lake we stopped along Highway 75 at Red Fish Lake. The road was closed, but that didn’t stop us. With snowshoes on and a camera across my shoulder, we walked the short mile to Little Red Fish Lake. We cut 
through what looked like an abandoned campsite (campsites are closed in the winter) and just as we arrived at the lake, the clouds dispersed as the sun illuminated the sky, exposing the mountains as though hidden behind large castle walls for hundreds of years.
Rounding out our perfect day with the perfect evening, we returned to the Sawtooth Hotel for a refreshing brew and signature burger that really hit the spot. The next time you’re looking for a recreational paradise with beautiful sights, stop in Stanley to satisfy your outdoor cravings.
Where’s Wallace? In Northern Idaho!
January 17th, 2012 | 1 Comment
Where’s Waldo? Remember him, the mystery man wearing a camouflage type red and white sweater, matching hat and blue pants? I took a trip to a small, quaint historic town in northern Idaho where many people might ask, where’s Wallace?
Wallace, Idaho, home to a mere 784 people and a long-standing 
history is a timeless experience just off I-90. After arriving at the Wallace Inn, I immediately felt something special about the town, but I couldn’t quite grasp what it was until I had some time to explore. It was like an episode of Cheers, where everyone knew my name! Well, not quite, no one knew my name, but locals acted like we had been neighbors for years. As captivating as the people in town is the history that surrounds it. The rich mining in Wallace led to the building of 13 bars and 13 churches – so you knew exactly where everyone was on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Until 1988 when the last one closed, there were five bordellos in town to accompany the lifestyles of the lead, copper and silver miners. So if you see small huts (usually about five in a row) or extremely steep, covered staircases from the street to the second story as you’re walking through town, you know you’re in the midst of some Wallace bordello history. Unfortunately, the Oasis Bordello Museum is closed from October to April, but it’s an absolute must see during the warmer months.
Outdoor enthusiasts also have reason to be excited about this small town in the Idaho panhandle. Whether you’re into skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months or mountain biking and trail running in the summer, Wallace is the ticket for everything recreation. Two pristine mountains, Silver Mountain and Lookout Mountain are both within 10 miles of Wallace. They offer hundreds of miles of road and trail riding, including five nationally recognized trails (Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes, Northern Pacific, Route of the Hiawatha, Milwaukee Scenic and Centennial Trail) with variable levels of incline so it’s easy to find a ride that’s right for you.
During my time in Wallace, I took the short 10 mile drive to Idaho-Montana border on what many would call a perfect day on Lookout Mountain. Sun shining and fresh powder in 30 degree weather, hello paradise! For the first time I 
experienced the adventurous side of snow-shoeing. After riding up the main lift at Lookout, I ventured down the backside of the mountain through the trees and untouched snow. The spectacular mountain scenery combined with three hours of snowshoeing epitomized what it felt like to find a hidden mountain secret. After seeing endless lifts with shorts lines and beautifully groomed runs I look forward to my next trip to truly take advantage of the slopes and experience what it feels like to be a “local” with the mountain all to myself!
Wallace, Idaho– a place you’ve probably never heard of, but a place you’ll never forget. When you’re in town, be sure to visit the Wallace Mining Museum & Visitor Center for fun facts, cool sights and endless information about the unique town of Historic Wallace.
Written by guest blogger Austin Rogerson.
Storied Past Builds Legacy in Wallace, Idaho
November 1st, 2011 | 1 Comment
Once the largest city in Shoshone County in northern Idaho at the end of the 19th century, the town of Wallace boasts a storied past that includes silver strikes, prostitution, devastating fires and government battles. Today, the town exudes an Old West ambiance and a legacy for producing 1.2 billion ounces of silver since the late 1800s.
Wallace came into being in 1884 when Colonel W.R. Wallace, drawn by deposits of silver, gold and other precious metals, bought 80 acres of land and built his cabin in the area that became the site of the present city. Within three years, the downtown contained numerous businesses, mining claims dotted the hillsides and the railroad came to town.
Once laid low by the Great Fire of 1910, Wallace lost one-third of its downtown to the fire that ravaged 3 million acres in Montana, Idaho and Washington. It faced potential destruction again in the late 20th century as an Interstate Highway expansion of the I-90 threatened to destroy a major portion of the downtown.
By placing every downtown building in the National Register of Historic Places, the Federal Highway Administration was forced to reroute the freeway away from Wallace in 1991 via an elevated viaduct that looms over the edge of town.
The downtown’s standing on the Historic Register is not folly, though, as I learned wandering the easy-to-maneuver town. History truly is around every corner and every building seemingly has a story to tell.
The historic Jameson Inn
The historic Jameson Inn, built in 1889 by Theodore Jameson, boasts its own ghost, Maggie, who waits in room No. 3 and paces the halls waiting for a long-lost love. After striking it rich with a claim, her lover took a “quick” trip back East and left Maggie at the hotel to wait. With the promise of marriage, she stayed at the hotel for years, but he never darkened the hotel’s doorstep again. Maggie finally gave up and left herself. The story goes that after her death, she returned to the Jameson Inn to continue her vigil.
Another building with a storied past houses the Oasis Bordello Museum, which was one of four establishments offering up ladies of the night until the late 1980s, before a looming federal raid finally put the kabosh on the business once and for all. Now a museum, you can roam the halls of the Oasis to see how the girls lived and entertained clients.
Just on the outskirts of the city proper is the Sierra Silver Mine – which changed hands many times over a whiskey bottle or card game – where you can learn about hard-rock underground mining techniques. Catching the trolley from town to the mine, I wasn’t sure what to expect on the tour. But Lenny, a retired miner of Norwegian descent leading the tour, gave quite an oration, as he shared the history and techniques of mining for silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper, and his own experiences of decades under the earth.
Sierra Silver Mine Entrance
Entering the mine, I was met with the coolness of the air and the dampness of the earth. Lights are strewn along the perimeter of the tunnel. Further in, Lenny turned them off and demonstrated how he worked all those years ago with a single headlamp mounted to his helmet. Along the way, he told the history of the mine, demonstrated equipment and playfully joked with everyone on the tour.
While this mine was cold – around 50 degrees F – he told us he used to descend into a mine with his partner daily, working in temps and humidity that hovered around 100 degrees F for up to eight hours a day.
He showed off a badly scarred leg that was crushed on the job – one he was supposed to never be able to walk on again. His doggedness got him back to work in nine months. I asked him if he was happy to be retired from such a grueling life, and he said without a doubt he’d go back in a heartbeat: “It gets in your soul.”
It seems the town of Wallace, once reputed to be the “Silver Capital of the World,” has also eased its way into the souls of its inhabitants who’ve worked so hard to preserve and share its history and legacy.
Written by Guest Blogger, Wendy Geister
Wendy Geister has had a penchant for travel and adventure for as long as she can remember, and has traveled extensively in North America, Europe and Australia. She co-launched The Adventure Post to inspire people to embrace a spirit of exploration through first-hand trip reports, travel tips, product reviews and more.
Sandpoint Getaway
August 18th, 2011 | No Comments
Written by guest blogger Danielle Gruden.
Five people cramped in a Honda Element doesn’t seem like a great premise to a traveling story, however, this is how it began. My goal was to escape the tortured life of being pale skinned and move on to looking like I hadn’t been living in a cave for five years. I had high hopes of becoming a golden goddess. I was going with a band of amazing people, so laughs and good times were expected as well.
In Sandpoint, life is good. We had an amazing brunch down at the Trinity at City Beach, indulging in crab-cake benedict and fruit pancakes. Afterward, we strolled around downtown for shopping, eats, and drinks. The girls did the shopping, while the guys disappeared into a local pub, Eichardt’s.
Sandpoint has a variety of places to stay – since we had a birthday boy in our group – we decided to spoil him (and ourselves) a bit. We rolled into the Seasons. We laid on the docks for hours at a time, catching up with deep girl chatter and pondering the young life of two mid-twenty somethings. Hanging out with good friends, watching the sun set and sharing laughter fireside – what could be better?
Another reason to checkout out Sandpoint? Recently, Sandpoint was included in USA Today’s Best of the Road piece as a “Most Beautiful” town finalist – and I can attest to this.
From Desert Darling to Mountain Maven; My Trip to McCall
August 4th, 2011 | 1 Comment
Written by guest blogger Katie Zinn.
Being from Phoenix, AZ means pretty much one thing during this time of year: I’m hot. No, not the flattering, attractive kind of “hot” but rather the 113°, everywhere feels like you’re living in an oven kind of hot. It’s brutal. Thus, when given the opportunity to ditch my scorching desert mountains for the cool, snow-capped peaks of McCall, I was all in.
Having never before traveled anywhere close to the Pacific Northwest, I was clueless on what to expect and thrilled with what I found out. Simply stated: I fell in love. McCall turned out to be the most gorgeous place filled with friendly folks and plenty to keep me busy. Whether I defined “busy” as whipping around the lake on a speedboat or reading a book with a glass of wine on the dock didn’t matter, both options were equally and readily available. As you can imagine, being from a city full of concrete, crowds and climate that (at July 1) feels like I may melt at any given moment I was in awe with all things Idaho and the small town charm of McCall. For anyone who has not yet had the privilege to make the trip to this gem of a Gem State city I urge you to consider it and offer you my must-do’s when in McCall:
- Spend some time on the shores. When planning your trip to McCall the place to stay has to be Shore Lodge, a city institution
since 1948. Stepping through the doors was like stepping into the most fantastic cabin I’d ever seen. The warm environment, friendly staff and endless activities list make this resort the perfect place to experience all things McCall. Favorite parts about my stay include: fresh baked cookies by my bedside each night, eating popcorn while watching a film in McCall’s only movie theater, riding around town on the Lodge’s red beach cruiser bikes, enjoying an incredible pedicure at The Cove spa, touring around Payette Lake on a vintage speed boat and meeting guests while making s’mores at the lakeside campfire. If you truly want the Idaho experience, this place absolutely has it all. - Take a hike. The summer season in McCall is short so when the snow melts enough for you to hit the trails, take advantage and take a hike up Brundage Mountain. Though known for its exceptional ski runs, Brundage also offers hiking trails that are both challenging and stunning. Surround yourself with pine trees and soak up some sunshine as you get your daily workout in on this lakeside beauty.
- Enjoy a meal (or 3 or 4) at the Lake Grill. After an evening flight and a two hour drive from Boise which, by the way, is a gorgeous journey, we were ready to eat and headed here first. Located at the Shore Lodge resort, the patio at Lake Grill sits on the breathtaking shores of Payette Lake. I happily enjoyed a fresh seafood Cobb salad alongside the sunset over the water surrounded by snow tipped mountains. Naturally we returned for breakfast, lunch and a few more dinners- with a view like that and incredible, locally focused-food, this place is a definite must.
- Take a stroll through the streets of Downtown. The city of McCall feels like a scene out of the most adorable Disney movie. With a law that prohibits chain restaurants and businesses from being established, everywhere is locally owned and operated. This makes for unique shopping finds, incredible home-cooked food and warm people that are happy to talk to you about the place that they love. My favorite spots include Foglifter Café for a fresh baked Heath bar cookie and McPaws Thrift Store that operates to fund their local animal shelter.
- Eat huckleberries in every form you can find. Huckleberries are a widespread local fruit, similar to a blueberry but a whole lot better. I ate them every way I possibly could and loved each and every bite. Get your hands on some huckleberry honey, huckleberry barbeque sauce, huckleberry martinis, huckleberry taffy, huckleberry popcorn… I could continue, but I’m starting to salivate.
My journey to McCall was simply magical, filled with unexpected adventure, much needed relaxation and plenty of new-found friends. If you’re looking to beat the heat this summer (as I know all of us desert dwellers are) just follow the river and hit the road north to McCall, Idaho. I’ll certainly be back and hope to see you there.
Sawtooth Relay 2011: Stanley to Sun Valley
June 22nd, 2011 | 1 Comment
Written by guest blogger Danielle Gruden
My friend Krista was in desperate need of a volunteer for her Sawtooth Relay team this year – and me being someone that can’t say no – I of course was roped into the situation. I thought of rolling hills, lakes, streams and snow-capped mountains as she attempted to tell me of my job duties.
The Friday before the race, I picked part of the team up and we began our drive to Stanley, ID. Our backseat driver informed me to take HWY 21 – it being the best route. Although this proved to not be the route most efficient with time – it did turn out to be the most beautiful. The winding roads hugged the hillside with views of the Payette River. Lush green cascaded down the landscape with snow still topping each mountain peak. We rolled our windows down to enjoy the view and the fresh air – which I might add would be a great new car tree air freshener scent.
We arrived in Stanley – in time to catch dinner at the Redfish Lodge, and to see an old friend Mike – their general manager
(stop and say hello – he doesn’t bite). Mike was kind enough to help us pick out appetizers and dinner. We sat around till late talking about old stories – laughing and smiling till our cheeks hurt.
Later that evening we headed to Stanley to hang out with a few of the locals and to check out some of the next day’s competition. Downtown Stanley gave me the feeling of a cozy cabin with your best friends. Everyone said hello, everyone had a story to tell, everyone was welcomed.
The next day began early. I love my friends – and if they for some reason question this – I will remind them that I woke up before the sun to take pictures and tote them around for the Sawtooth Relay. I am not a morning person.
To my surprise – I wanted to become a morning person – due to what
my eyes saw. As the sun crept up over the mountains, it was as if it was casting light on all that it felt needed to be spot-lighted. The landscape sparkled as each beam of light highlighted each gorgeous feature. Our team’s 6:30 a.m. starting time passed, and we sent our first runner off to victory. I began my trek to Sun Valley – in an effort to squeeze in a nap and a bite to eat before my 9:45 volunteer start time.
However, my plan didn’t go according to schedule. The sight of the day took my hunger pains away and each road-side stop proved to be more than the rest I was sure I needed. I took every opportunity to fill my cameras lens with the beauty that touched my eyes.
I made it to my station 10 minutes late – it took me three hours to get to my placement. I don’t regret a second of this usually
hour-long drive that was tripled. It was worth every second – you can’t find beauty like this just anywhere. The Sun Valley/ Ketchum area aches to be gazed at. It IS something to write home about. I suppose I should end with a rephrase: my friends love me – because they woke me up to see beauty in its purest form.
Idaho “Staycation”: Hostels and Recreation
June 15th, 2011 | No Comments
With gas prices on the rise, the term “staycation” is making yet another popular comeback. This method of a modified vacation allows for travelers to experience a get-away on a friendly budget that won’t break the bank.
One of the many beauties of living in Idaho is that you can literally drive two hours in a different direction and be in a completely new setting with fun at the tips of your fingertips; whitewater rafting, nationally acclaimed golf courses, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and many more top-notch recreational activities. Another perk is the low-priced night accommodations; Idaho has a string of hostels throughout the state that offer a bed from $18-25 a night. For those of you wanting to jump in the car and participate in your own staycation, check out these hostels as a way to pinch pennies but get a nights rest after a day out in Idaho adventure.
Idahostel
Located downtown Boise, Idahostel provides direct access to the best and most interesting parts of the City, State and region. Idahostel is a great central location; foothills down the road, Saturday market at the doorstep, Boise’s best culinary experiences on every corner.
280 N. 8th Street
Boise, ID 83702
208.286.6476
info@idahostel.com
www.idahostel.com
A Country Place Hostel
Clean, quiet, and beautiful grounds and gardens provided a mini get-away in its own. This hostel offers a great location, a safe stay, and green living.
17322 Can-Ada Rd.
Nampa, ID 83687
208.467.6858
mail@hostelboise.com
www.hostelboise.com
Lucky 13 Ranch & Guest House
Located on Idaho’s fabled River of No Return (Salmon River), Lucky 13 Ranch is nestled in the Salmon National Forest on scenic Highway 93. It provides easy access to the Idaho/Montana border, just seventeen miles away from the continental divide.
55 Becker Rd.
North Fork, ID 83466
208.865.2064
hi_lucky13@hotmail.com
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