Tuesday, 8 June 2010

Idaho: The Gem State


Idaho is a very mountainous State, larger than the whole of New England, it is landlocked surrounded by Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Montana and British Columbia. The Capital of Idaho is Boise.

Idaho is a “Rocky Mountain” State with some of the largest, unspoilt natural areas, it is also home to the oldest ski resort, Sun Valley, where the worlds first chair lift was installed. Snow sports are important keystones of Idaho’s identity with a ski resort adjacent to nearly every urban area. 

Idaho is called the “Gem State” because nearly every known gem has been found here, it is also one of only two places world-wide where star garnets can be found, the other is in India.

Idaho is shaped like a pyramid, I will be crossing the State at it’s very top, so not seeing very much of it.

I did however stop at a town called Coeur d’Alene, a surprising find, I could be in Austria or similar, it is on Coeur d’Alene Lake, which is surrounded by the tree covered Clearwater mountains, lake steamers for sightseeing and surprise surprise, seaplanes giving pleasure flights around the area at prices beyond my pocket, I opted for a nice cruise around the lake on the steamer, most pleasant.


Coeur d’Alene is an extremely neat and tidy town, all beautifully manicured lawns and flowerbeds, Flower baskets and planters everywhere, the main street has lovely copper features at every corner and hanging baskets on every lamp post, just to finish the picture, a small shingle beach with children feeding many hungry ducks and swans.


Being in such a lovely situation you can understand every person living in the town owns a boat, there is an impressive marina where all boat docks are covered over, I feel sure it is not for the sun this far north, maybe to keep snow off the boats.


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