Aquarium of Boise

The aquarium houses a variety of fish, rays, and turtles. Additionally, they have reptiles, birds and even a crocodile!   Situated just 10 minutes from Downtown Boise & a couple of minutes off the freeway connector, the Aquarium of Boise is a pleasant surprise for all ages.  Key Takeaways  This aquarium is small but mighty!  Touch tanks are exciting for all ages, but be sure to follow the rules  You can expect to spend about 1.5 hours here  What to Expect  There is plenty of parking just outside the aquarium so finding a place to park will be easy. The entire exhibit is inside, so regardless of weather, you can plan for a fun time!  While small in comparison to other aquariums, this location will keep you busy with their many exhibits, touch tanks and educational pieces. We recommend allocating at least an hour and a half to be able to see everything!  The staff & volunteers here are well educated and very willing to share their knowledge of fish and reptiles. In fact, we learned some very shocking information about clown fish!  Touch Tanks  Touch tanks are an exciting interactive piece that allow children and adults alike to get up close with certain wildlife creatures such as fish, rays and sharks.   Be sure to follow the rules of washing your hands before and after interaction and pay attention to which tanks allow for touching. Favorite Exhibits I recently visited the aquarium with my one-year-old daughter. Despite her younger age, she was captivated by the multiple varieties of clown fish and intrigued by the fish that were as big or bigger than her; Pacu and Grouper.   The aviary of friendly birds was also amusing to the little one.   Programs & Events  The aquarium offers many different programs for groups and classes. Looking for an event space, you may just be able to utilize the aquarium for that as well! Be sure to visit their website for additional information on birthday parties, event rentals, school tours and behind-the-scenes feeding opportunities.  Hours & Admission  Ticket cost varies depending on age, and hours can be affected by holidays, be sure to double check their website before traveling. The aquarium does offer season passes for those looking to take multiple visits.  Resources  https://www.aquariumboise.net/   

Hiking the Fishhook Creek Trail

Hiking the Fishhook Creek Trail – Redfish Lake near Stanley, ID The Fishhook Creek Trail is a 4.5 mile out and back trail at Redfish Lake near Stanley, Idaho.   This easy trail will give you stunning views of Fishhook Creek, the Sawtooth Mountains, and alpine meadows.   This is a popular trail due to its quick access from Redfish Lake and its easy terrain. This is a hike that could be well suited for many ages.   There are a couple trails that spur off the main Fishhook Creek Trail, so be sure to look at a map beforehand and follow the directional signs.   All Trails will outline things pretty well. Speaking to any of the Redfish staff members can also be beneficial when planning your route.  A large dirt parking lot sits at the start of the trailhead, at the northern tip of Redfish Lake, making finding parking easy.   You can plan to encounter others on this trail. Dogs welcome as well.   This hike should take around 1.5 hours, depending on how many breaks you take. There are plenty of spots to pull of the trail for water, snack or a rest.  While this hike is fairly uncomplicated, you may still find yourself hungry and tired after. We recommend heading over to Redfish Lake for a bite to eat and a beverage overlooking the water at Limbert’s.   Resources  https://redfishlake.com/dining/  https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/fishhook-creek-trail  

COT "Ring of Fire" Marathon 2023

I didn’t think that running a marathon would be such an emotional experience Key takeaways Know for a fact what your pace is Start slow It’s going to hurt. Keep running DON’T TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF My first marathon was exhausting, emotional, and enjoyable. When race day came, I had the jitters initially and calmed myself down by: Stretching Saying “I’m just running, I’m just running” Mile 0.Before I began the race, I decided to pick someone and stay with them the whole run because I didn’t have a watch to know my pace... let's say...learning opportunity. Mile 1. The group of people I picked were running at about an 8-9 minute mile pace- when I was expecting a pace of 10:30-11:30. That painful first 13 miles I stayed with them hurt even more when I fell behind in the last 13 miles. Mile 14. I gave in and walked short stints because my mental resolve to keep running no matter what had begun to wear off. I guess it gave me a chace to look at the eclipse! Mile 16. My wife was waiting at the aid station. This is where I learned of my big why- and that crying and running don’t mix. Crying closes your throat- and you need that to breathe. Don’t cry. (while running) Mile 18. Let me preface, I am tall. Tall enough to be the tallest person running the race by a few inches. That being said, my stride is pretty long. While walk/running I found someone running slow enough (at a 12:30 pace), that I could speed walk behind them. We start talking, and she isn’t even running the race, she is running 8 miles. We became best friends. (I should have brought my card!) Mile 22. After my best friend plowed on ahead of me and out of sight I found another friend. Let’s call him Steven. Steven had taken the same approach as me; Running too fast in the beginning and getting worn out. He had been walking since mile 20 or so, so we enabled one another by walking. We got to chatting and made a pact to start running, and keep running, when we got to the aid station at mile 23. Deal. Mile 23. Water drank, gel boost downed, and salt on the brow Steven and I got to running. A few minutes in, Steven says to go on without me and stops on the side of the road. I turn back and quickly snap “No you’re coming”. He ushers me to go on ahead; That was a mistake, sorry Steven. I keep running. Alone. Mile 24. I embrace a walk/run style that leaves me passing people that are walking. I try and pass giving as much encouragement I can being 24 miles in on my first marathon. Mile 25. With the mentality “It hurts more to walk than to run” I ran as much as possible the last 1.2 miles. Mile 26 Running at an above-average pace the last .2 miles, my sister and wife greeted me at the finish line. Finish. I cried when I finished—a lot. Thinking back, I can easily bring those tears forward. When you’re running you can assume the state of your feet. An assumption is enough! Don’t take your shoes off when you’re running! The state of my blisters was worse than I could have imagined and knowing their state would not have helped me mentally. I needed to run When you run a marathon, you’ll get asked “Are you going to run another?”. I don’t know is an acceptable answer. Sometimes, you don’t know what you’ll do until you do it- and even when you’re running, you’ll not be able to understand how significant each step forward is. Until you’ve reached the finish. Reach the finish line no matter what, put all the cards on the table, and give it your all, it is worth it.

Camping at Stanley Lake

Stanley Lake is located about 15 minutes west of the town of Stanley, Idaho, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains and offers both quietude and outdoor adventure for its frequenters.  About  While Stanley Lake is still busy during peak seasons, it does not experience the same craze that the beloved Redfish Lake (also near Stanley, ID) does. Unlike Redfish Lake, there are no restaurants, rentals, or general stores at this lake, making it slightly less popular for day users. However, there are still plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts.   Things to Do  Popular activities include camping, hiking, boating, water skiing, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, OHV trails and more.   Stanley Lake Trailhead is the starting point of many routes into the Sawtooth Mountain Range, as well as a passageway for the Idaho Centennial Trail. There are an estimated 750 miles of trails within the whole Sawtooth National Recreation Area.  Painters and photographers are also known to frequent this lake, as the Stanley Lake overlook is a popular location for capturing the lake and the towering McGowan Peak.  Camping  The most popular option for camping tends to be Stanley Lake Campground, where you will find “Full” signs even after peak season.   The campground accepts reservations and will also accept campers on a first-come-first-serve basis. If visiting during peak season, I highly recommend making a reservation if you can.   This campground has the usual amenities; campfire ring, vault toilet, picnic table, drinking water, trash station, and onsite camp host. There are no hookups available at this campground.   Visit the website for more information and for reservations.   On the road into Stanley Lake, you will find a number of turnoffs with dispersed camping available. These are free to the public but lack the amenities of Stanley Lake Campground.   We opted to do dispersed camping on our visit and found a great spot near Stanley Creek (although we did miss having a picnic table).   Getting to Stanley Lake  Stanley Lake is about 10-15 minutes west of Stanley, and a great stop if you are planning on being in the Sawtooth area. From Boise, it will take you about 2.45-3 hours, depending which route you take. Taking Highway 55 to Banks-Lowman Road is the quickest route from Boise and slightly less windy. You could also travel via Highway 21 the entire way, passing through Idaho City, this route is longer and not advised for those who get carsick.   Cell Coverage for Verizon Users  You will have cell coverage when passing through Idaho City, Garden Valley and within about 5 minutes of the town of Stanley. There will be no cell coverage at Stanley Lake.   References   https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233858?tab=info