One of the things I love about my travels is that I get to experience living elsewhere. Staying at an AirBnB or with friends gives me the ability to experience life as if I were living in places other than Boston. I get to shop at the local grocery stores, experience the coffee shop around the corner, see what night life is like and work remotely in different environments. It’s like I’m living somewhere else for a small amount of time. These are my ‘other homes’ from my Missoula and back trip.
Des Moines, IA
My Des Moines AirBnB home was in a great location, in a beautiful neighborhood and had some old charm. The coffee shop was just a few blocks away and downtown was a short drive. I was able to take a short Uber to the Iowa State Fair and most activities and restaurants were a quick drive. Raven, the cat, loved sitting on my lap and visiting me in my room which was very sweet. The front porch was quaint and a great place to relax or get some work done.
Omaha, NE
My Omaha AirBnB was a comfortable little place in a very cute walkable residential neighborhood which I took advantage of. There were some really nice gardens up and down the street. Both the living room and front porch were very comfortable so I ended many of my evening just sitting in the front and reflecting.
Boise, ID
I think the Boise AirBnB was my favorite ‘home’ on this trip. I had my own full apartment above the garage which made it look like it was up in the trees. It was in such a beautiful, walking, tree lined neighborhood which made it very peaceful. It was named “Pat’s Treehouse” after one of the owners, however, I called it that because I was able to watch the Pats on the big screen television!
Fargo, ND
My Fargo AirBnB kept the trend of being in a nice residential neighborhood. I was able to walk to a few restaurants as well as the Fargo Brewing Company. It had a beautiful outdoor sitting area which I took advantage of by eating some of my meals there. The weather was so nice, I was able to work outside sometimes as well. I was a little surprised that Fargo in October was that warm.
I have future AirBnBs in Raleigh, NC, Miami, FL and Birmingham, AL already reserved for my upcoming Florida family get-a-way trip.
During my Boise, ID visit, I immersed myself in the vibrant city for two exciting days. While the daylight hours were dedicated to work at my cozy AirBnB, I couldn’t resist the allure of Boise’s attractions, prompting me to venture out and dive into the local wonders.
Freak Alley Gallery
Freak Alley Gallery, located in Boise, is the largest open-air mural gallery in the northwest. In 2002, the first drawing was created by Colby Akers on the back alley doorway of Moon’s Cafe. Now, the murals and graffiti-inspired artwork extend well beyond the single doorway; artwork can be seen throughout the entire alley. I enjoyed walking down this Boise alley.
Julia Davis Park
During my visit to Julia Davis Park in Boise, Idaho, I had the opportunity to explore its diverse attractions. The serene ambiance of the park provided a perfect backdrop for leisurely strolls and relaxation. As I wandered through the park, I couldn’t miss the poignant Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, which stands as a powerful symbol of hope, tolerance, and human rights. It was a moving experience to reflect upon the legacy of Anne Frank and the lessons her diary continues to teach us. Just a stone’s throw away, I also encountered the impressive Abraham Lincoln statue, a towering tribute to the 16th President of the United States. The statue’s grandeur served as a reminder of our nation’s history and the enduring values of freedom and unity. My visit to Julia Davis Park was a harmonious blend of natural beauty, contemplation, and historical reverence, making it a memorable stop in my Boise exploration.
Abraham Lincoln was very large.
Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
The Basque Block
It was explained to me while in Boise…the Basque settled the area. I ate Basque for lunch and walked down the Basque Block.
The Basque Block in Boise is a captivating cultural enclave offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Basque people. Here, you can savor traditional Basque cuisine, attend lively festivals celebrating Basque culture, and explore unique shops. The Basque Cultural Center, housed in the historic “Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga Boarding House,” serves as both a museum and a cultural hub, providing valuable insights into the history and traditions of the Basque people in Boise. With events, sports, and a vibrant atmosphere, the Basque Block is a must-visit destination that enriches your understanding of this unique cultural heritage in Boise.
Capital of Idaho, Boise
During my visit to Boise, I had the chance to explore the capital area, which serves as a testament to the city’s unique character. As the capital of Idaho, Boise gracefully combines urban conveniences with the allure of the great outdoors. While strolling through the capital grounds, I encountered a delightful surprise – a replica of the Liberty Bell. With curiosity getting the best of me, I gave its clapper a playful swing, unwittingly causing a resounding ring that echoed through the area. A moment of embarrassment quickly turned into laughter as I moved on from the surprisingly loud Liberty Bell encounter. It seems that Liberty Bell replicas are a common sight at many of the state capitals I’ve visited, each one offering its own unique charm and unexpected surprises.
Lewis and Clark asking where the parking garage is….. in Boise, ID.
MaidPro Boise, ID
Boise is happy to have MaidPro in town. It was nice to visit the MaidPro Boise office.
Westside Drive In, Boise, ID
During my travels to Boise, Idaho, I had the delightful opportunity to savor an unusual yet mouthwatering treat known as the ice cream potato. This delectable creation, which I stumbled upon at Westside Drive In
, is a local favorite that combines the sweetness of ice cream with the appearance of a potato. The surprise of the creamy, ice-cold dessert inside a potato-shaped chocolate shell was a delightful culinary adventure. What’s even more remarkable is that Westside Drive In, where I enjoyed this unique dessert, was conveniently located just down the street from my treehouse accommodation. If only I had known earlier, I could have taken a leisurely walk to this famous Boise establishment. Notably, Westside Drive In’s reputation has soared to new heights, earning it a feature on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” This iconic Boise spot is a must-visit for anyone exploring the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
An ice cream potato while visiting in Boise….. and it was delicious!
Boise, with its vibrant urban atmosphere and scenic surroundings, proved to be an ideal blend of history, nature, and memorable experiences during my visit.
It was another full travel day going about 200 miles from Craters of the Moon in Idaho, where I camped the night before, to Boise, ID. I originally did not have Boise on my trip, however, my cousin in Missoula asked if I minded coming a few days later. Boise was the obvious way to add a few more days.
North Crater Trail to the Spatter Cones Hike
I woke up before the sun came up and decided to find a hike before heading out on the road. Craters of the Moon was not originally on my itinerary so I wanted to explore a little. I found a 1.9 mile hike along the North Crater Trail which ended at spatter cones. I had no idea what a spatter cone was but was going to find out. 1.9 miles would be perfect as it was a nice hike but not too long. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it was not a 1.9 loop…. it was 1.9 one way.
I thought this was cool. You can see where the lava flowed into this area.
You can see the ripples in the lava that flowed into this area.
This is a spatter cone. A spatter cone is a small, steep-sided volcanic cone built up around a vent where escaping gases blow out chunks of molten lava.
I walked the path up into the spatter cone. Very cool stuff. Like being on a different planet.
I walked on this path along the rim. The sun was just right that when I got to a certain point, my shadow was cast across to the other side. You can see the shadow of my legs and me waving back at myself from over there. One of my favorite pictures and a fun little moment.
Breakfast at Timmerman Junction Rest Area – Idaho
There weren’t alot of places along my drive to stop to get something to eat so decided to take the time and cook myself a breakfast. It was such a beautiful day out as I found myself in Idaho. After my 4 mile walk this morning it was a really nice, peaceful and relaxing stop.
Kathryn Albertson Park – Boise, ID
I stopped at another rest area a few hours in to take a little nap since I was going to be arriving in Boise too early to check into my AirBnB. I still arrived a little early so opted to go to one of the parks that were on my list in Boise. Kathryn Albertson Park was really beautiful. There were lots of great little spots to look out at water and greenery. There was a wedding reception going on in one spot and, although it was Sunday, stopped at another to sit and do a little work.
My Home in Boise, ID
Arrived at my AirBnB in Boise in time to relax, kick back and watch the Patriots play. This is one of my favorite AirBnB’s I’ve stayed in. I had the entire place and it was clean and comfortable with a slider that went out to a small porch. The neighborhood was beautiful and so peaceful to walk around. They call it Pat’s Treehouse because it sits up high, making it feel as if one were in a tree house.
The humor did not get past me of sitting in Pat’s Treehouse watching the Pat’s in a Treehouse.
