Michael Powell's Blog, page 122
January 4, 2013
The Boise State Broncos and the Smurf Turf
With over 23,000 students, 200 degrees and 100 graduate programs, Boise State University is the largest institute of higher learning in Idaho. But rather than for its academics or gorgeous urban campus, BSU is most famous around the country for its football program. And, of course, for the crazy blue turf of its field.
BSU games are among the most popular events in the state. On matchday, every single person in Idaho smears on blue and orange face paint and crashes...
January 3, 2013
Welcome to Boise
With just a little over two weeks remaining of our 91 days in Idaho, we pulled into Boise. We had originally planned on using the capital as the base for our entire three-month stay, but decided Idaho was too big to be stationed in one spot. So we went on a massive road-trip through the state, and left an exploration of Boise for our journey’s end. Did we save the best for last?
Even by western standards, Boise has a young history. It was founded in 1834 as Fort Boise, 40...
January 2, 2013
The Bruneau Sand Dunes
Sand Dunes We Visited in Bolivia
I had expected to eat a few potatoes while in Idaho. And I had suspected that we might embark on a few amazing hikes through the wilderness. Idaho impressed me with its gorgeous lakes, mountains and canyons, but didn’t completely surprise. But crawling up to the summit of North America’s highest sand dune? In Idaho?! Nope, wasn’t expecting that.
The Bruneau Dunes are perhaps the most bizarre natural phenomenon in the state. Trapped in a low-laying basin just sou...
Vegas Flair at Cactus Petes in Jackpot, Nevada
There are a few Indian reservations scattered about Idaho, which means that there are a few casinos. But due to rough anti-gambling laws, these are rather drab venues which offer nothing more than slots. Table games are completely verboten in Idaho, even on reservations, so when it comes time to hit the craps table, Idahoans in the know head south, to the border town of Jackpot, Nevada.
The tiny casino town of Jackpot is just past the Nevada-Idaho border, 50 miles...
