taters

Sept. 20, 2009

We're in the land where Subway sells hashbrowns and convenience stores offer ice cream filled potatoes. Winding along the Snake River through Idaho's farm country, onions and potatoes littered the shoulder, reminding me of New Orleans after a St. Patty's Day parade where float riders throw produce.

Boise's cool factor might be Idaho's best kept secret. We rolled down 8th Street and took our pick among several appealing coffee shops. Young and old cruised by on bicycles. So many bicycles. Our Couchsurfing host, Travis, lives in the quaint Hyde Park neighborhood which was having a weekend festival with live music, arts and crafts, and plenty greasy treats. Bree and I climbed a mini-mountain overlooking the festival; twinkling stars above and carnival lights below. In the morning, several blocks of downtown street were closed to traffic for a delicious locally stocked farmers' market. I ate a juicy nectarine and we bought homemade granola bars for the road. Two ladies with guitars, Blaze and Kelly, serenaded the meanderers. When they sang their "Life is Beautiful," Bree and I--with chills--had to stop and buy their CD.

This morning, we loaded up the bikes, and fought a headwind the whole way to Ontario, where we found a gourmet pizza joint to celebrate our arrival to OREGON!