Jump Creek Falls

Wow! I'm a guest blogger on Don't Get Bored! I'm just tickled by that for a few reasons. First, because last June when I moved to Kuna from North Idaho (where one does not need a great blog like this to find awesome outdoor things to do), Amanda and Don't Get Bored saved my children's summer. We haunted her blog for ideas, and then followed her footsteps all over Treasure Valley.

Second--I don't even blog! So I'm a guest blogger before I'm even a blogger blogger. Well, okay, I did keep a pretty invisible blog on Vox for a while, just logging all the sightings of twins we had after the babies were born. They'll be two in May 2011. Also with us on this trip were the Dad, Brett; my son Nate, 15; and daughter Anna, 11.

Finally--I found something really cool that Amanda didn't already know about. So I get to repay her a little bit.

And Jump Creek Falls is very, very cool.

We headed out toward Marsing on an unseasonably beautiful March day. The drive took us through Idaho's vineyard country, which will be even nicer a few weeks further into spring but was pretty even with the leafless vinyards and orchards laid out across the valley. It's a bit tricky to get to Jump Creek. Our GPS was utterly confused, and MapQuest kept telling us to turn right when our gut said we needed to be going left. We followed our gut and found ourselves at a fork in the road with two choices--left on a very rutted, dirt road; or right through a cattle guard marked with huge NO TRESPASSING signs. After a short discussion, we chose the cattle guard, and there was a brief Deliverance-like interlude before we realized that we were on the right track, on a public road, and the warnings to trespassers were aimed at foot traffic. Apparently, folks hiking BLM lands in the area don't always respect fences around adjacent private lands.

I found directions on the Internet, and was able to put together an accurate set from those and our experiences, which appear at the end of this entry.

It's interesting how quickly the drive goes from vinyards, to slightly rolling desert, to this sudden lava-rock crevice with a creek flowing through it. We pulled into the parking lot, unloaded, and headed up the trail into the canyon. The kids enjoyed finding caves, looking for lizards, and spotting small fish in the creek. The hike itself is short, not even a quarter mile, and mostly on a flat path with a bed of sand and small gravel. We had the backpackers for the boyos, who are 21 months old, but we never needed them. We just let them walk.

The only tricky bit was the creek crossing. The path drops down to the creekbed, where closely-set stepping stones cross the water about 12 feet wide and 8 inches deep. Nate went ahead and reported to Brett and me about the status of each rock, so that we knew to avoid wobbly ones while helping the boyos cross. It was dicey enough to knot my back a bit, but really, we were fine. Then a quick scramble upward, and we were back on the easy level trail.

I will note that I'm pretty intrepid; this crossing would not be suitable for all moms of toddlers. But we made it just fine and continued up the creek trail. Older kids--certainly 4 and up--will be fine.

The scenery was startling--not only the suddenness of the canyon itself, but the large caves and strange rock formations. This near-perfect pyramid looked like a carefully groomed Christmas tree, and was probably 30 feet tall.  With the layer of spring green on everything, the contrast between lava rock and growth bed was striking.

And at the end of the trail--this wonderful waterfall drops into a pool. There's a cave to clamber through for another view.

As early as it was in the year, we did see people; from the looks of it, there are always people here. There's some graffiti to overlook, and I've read that Jump Creek (not surprisingly) attracts the aimless among young people, who go there to drink a few beers and do other things they think will make them feel and seem mature. However, we saw only a family fishing with their dogs, another family hiking, and what looked to be a small private school group on an outing.

The kids can't wait to go back. We give it four and a half stars out of five (dang that graffiti!) and plan another outing a bit later in the spring.

Stuff to take: Sunscreen, water, good shoes, maybe an extra pair in the car in case you get wet on the crossing (Anna did), and a picnic. There's not much in the way of picnic facilities, but it's a 45-minute drive or so, so this is at least a half-day outing. Oh, and a camera! I'm not sure the fishing is worth much, but if you're an angler you might want to drop a line, so be prepared for that. Nate really wished he had his rod with him.

From Boise, take I-84 W toward Marsing, exiting onto ID 55 S at exit 33A. Stay on ID 55 S for about 16 miles (more or less), until you see Edison Rd; about a mile later you will turn left onto US 95. From there it's about 2.5 miles to Poison Creek Road on the right; follow Poison Creek Road about 3.5 miles to a 4-way intersection (you are on some very small roads here, so keep that in mind when you picture "intersection") and turn left onto the unnamed gravel road. About a half mile down that road, you will turn right through a scary-looking cattle guard; the threatening signs are for the private property only, not the road, which is public access to the canyon area. You will see the road turning left along the base of some hills; once you make that turn it won't be long before you see the Jump Creek sign directing you to the trailhead parking lot.

You're in for a special treat

It is my pleasure to announce that Don't Get Bored in Idaho will feature a report from guest blogger, Janna M.H., who has recently to Kuna from North Idaho.  Impressively, she found something to do with her family that I did not even know existed.  She has written up a very thorough report (including pictures) of their outing.  Stay tuned tomorrow to read about where they went and what they did and how you can have the same adventure.

Trey McIntyre Project Finds Dance Partner in Boise

The Trey McIntyre Project

I had the absolute delight of watching a performance of the Trey McIntyre Project this afternoon.  How do I convey to you how incredible this experience was without sounding cliche?  I'm not sure I'll succeed because all those words you've heard before come to mind.  Breathtaking.  Amazing.  Awesome. 

I have never been to a Trey McIntryre Project performance before although I've wanted to see them perform since they opened their company here two years ago.  I can tell you that the dancers are skilled.  They are fluid.  And they are the best trained I've ever seen.  Boise is indeed lucky to have them call this city their home.  They perform around the country and internationally and act as ambassadors to our city as they travel world wide.  What an honor to be the home town of such a renown company.  Trey McIntyre could have gone to any city and I for one am grateful he has brought his talent and fame to our town and has worked to build relationships in the city.  It was neat to see the mayor of Boise and his family in the audience this afternoon. 


The Trey McIntyre Project, also known as TMP, does many things to engage with the people of Boise including donating performances for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and Make-A-Wish annual gala, offering adult beginning classes, bringing dance into area schools, performing Spontaneous Urban Performances throughout the city, and partnering with Boise State University to provide affordable tickets for students.  (Information taken from TMP Mardi Gras program March 2011). 

If you want to read more about today's TMP Mardi Gras performance, let me direct you to an excellent article written by Boise Weekly writer James Ady. Boise Weekly article.

If you missed the show this weekend, that's okay, there are more coming up.  In fact, season tickets for TMP go on sale tonight.  A season pass gives you discount pricing, priority seating, and VIP parking.  Upcoming performances are on October 15, 2011 and February 11, 2012.  Call the Morrison Center for ticket information 426-1609.

And if you want even more information on Trey McIntyre check out their webpage.  You can also watch the PBS NewsHour special on YouTube about Trey McIntyre coming to the "small western city" of Boise, Idaho (their words, not mine).

Happy New Year

Make some plans for the new year by checking out these activity guides for Boise, Meridian, and Caldwell.

http://www.cityofboise.org/Departments/Parks/PDF/Activities/WinterSpringActivityGuide2010_2011.pdf

http://www.meridiancity.org/uploadedFiles/Departments/Parks_and_Rec/MPRRecGuideWinter2011.pdf

http://activenet8.active.com/caldwell/

Free day at the zoo this Saturday

I received this email from Amy Stahl over at Boise Parks and Recreation today.  It's an invitation to "Claus N Paws."  We've never been to this event before but I think it would be loads of fun.  I especially like that admission is free for everyone. 

"Join all of your favorite animals on Saturday, Dec. 4, for Claus N Paws, a fun-filled holiday gathering at Zoo Boise. Admission is free.  Enjoy musical entertainment throughout the day and watch some of the zoo's residents receive special holiday treats. Finish your holiday shopping with great discounts at the Zootique gift shop or Zoo Boise passes. Oh, and don't forget to have your picture taken with Santa Claus with a $3donation to the zoo! Santa will be here from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

"The City of Boise offers free admission to Claus N Paws as a thank you for all the support Zoo Boise has received this year from the community," said Liz Littman, Marketing & Development Associate.

Zoo Boise is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, a national organization that supports excellence in animal care, conservation, education and science. Located in Julia Davis Park, Zoo Boise is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily year round. For more information, please see www.zooboise.org. Or call (208) 384-4260.

There are many great events going on this weekend.  What are your plans?

Capital Tree Lighting Monday night

I don't know about you, but I'm scratching my head about what to do with my kids this week.  Typically we don't have the entire week of Thanksgiving off of school, so I can't go off of what we've done in the past.  We don't usually do anything this week but go to school and the eat like crazy on Thanksgiving day.  Now I have to figure out something to do for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  

Here's what I have planned for Monday evening,  a night at the Capital building for the Christmas tree lighting.  We've never done that before and it's free so I think we'll give it a try.  Of course, we'll have to bundle up because the weather is supposed to be cold that night.  We might wimp out if the wind is blowing.  We'll see.  What are you doing this week?

Warning:  Rafiki is temporarily closed.  Do not attempt a visit to Rafiki because you'll find everything gone.  Like everything.  We were totally bummed to drive all the way there last Friday and find them closed.  Since the place was completely empty of everything I assumed they had went out of business.  There wasn't a "we are moving" sign on the door or anything to indicate a change of venue.  We nearly shed tears on the way home.  However, when we got home I looked closely at their website and realized that they aren't out of business, they are just moving locations.  They will soon be located just a few miles from my house.  So we're cool with that.  

Congratulations ReeSe, you are the winner of the Farmstead tickets. Thanks to everyone who participated!

 

This flaming red maple tree in our backyard is usually our first clue that fall is in the air.

 

Soon we make a trip to the corn maze and pumpkin patch and bring home some cool-looking pumpkins for our front porch.  

Before we know it, the wind has taken the leaves from the trees and I find tiny and not-so-tiny feet sticking out from under the leaves. 

And a new fall tradition this year.  Healthy soups for dinner.  Maui Black Bean Soup, Moroccan Pumpkin Soup, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup,  Roasted Root Vegetable Soup, Squash, Bean and Corn Soup,  Lamb Stew with Beans and Pumpkin, Roasted Red Pepper Soup, Roasted Tomato and Black Bean Soup (pictured above) and many, many more.  Mmmmm, I love fall.  

And I know you do, too.  Thank you so much for sending in your comments about your fall family traditions.  It was a pleasure to read about the things you love to do during this wonderful time of year.  And a big welcome to the family who just moved here from Florida who will be experiencing their first ever fall in Idaho.  I hope you enjoy it.  Since you are new to town, let me suggest my favorite photographer.  I know a lot of you mentioned taking family pictures in the fall, that's also something we like to do.  In fact, that picture of the toes in the leaves was taken by Sweet Grace, a division of Cazier Photography.  Cazier Photography is the most professional and amazing family photographer in Idaho.  You will love your experience with them.  Without further ado, I would like to announce the winner of my very first giveaway----four tickets to the Farmstead Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival!  The winner was chosen by random selection.  (I told my husband to pick a number between 1 and 23).
And the winner is......ReeSe! Congratulations ReeSe, you are the winner of four tickets to the Farmstead.  Email me your mailing address and I will mail these tickets to you asap.  


Thanks for playing everyone!  If I ever get another opportunity like this in the future I will be sure to let you know.   Maybe I can hit someone up for some Idaho Stampede tickets or other sporting event.  (I doubt my husband is willing to raffle off his BSU Bronco football tickets).   Go Broncos!

Fall Giveaway

I am so happy to announce my very first free giveaway!  I have four free tickets to the Farmstead Corn Maze Festival and Pumpkin Patch that I will be raffling off on October 15th.  It has been our family tradition to go to the Farmstead every fall.  What is one of your fall-time traditions?  To enter please leave me a comment with your name and one thing you love to do in the fall between now and October 14th at midnight.   Let's see how many comments we can get about not getting bored in Idaho.

Don't forget to check back October 15th to see if you were the lucky winner of 4 free tickets to the Farmstead Corn Maze Festival and Pumpkin Patch.

We have to go every year or it just wouldn't be fall.

The Farmstead is our fall family tradition.  We go every year.  People ask me all the time which I like better, Linder Farms or the Farmstead.  We have been to both Linder Farms and the Farmstead and the Farmstead is our clear favorite.  For the amount of things there is to do, the Farmstead has a lot more to offer.  Not that you won't enjoy yourself at Linder Farms, we did, but we just enjoy the Farmstead more.  

Like I said, the Farmstead has a lot to offer.  There's the corn maze, of course, the straw maze, the jumping pillow, the corn cannon, the pig races, the corn box, the slides,  Bunnyville, the kids' corn maze, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, Straw Palace, the cow train,  the pony rides, and the Field of Screams.  There's also a large courtyard filled with food choices.  If you go on game day you'll see the guy at the corn dog stand with his flatscreen set up and tuned in.  Besides having all these things to do you don't have to worry about paying for anything once you get in.  With the exception of the pony rides, pumpkins, and the food everything else is paid for with your admittance.  There's no hassling with tickets or anything like that.

I love how the Farmstead was the first to come up with the idea of the corn maze 14 years ago.  What, you didn't know they were the original corn maze?  I also love how they try and improve upon what they do year after year.  Corn Cannons?  I mean who would have thought of that?  And the girl just loved them!  I'm impressed with the efforts they make to keep it new and exciting year after year.  They even built a bigger platform for the slides since it often got crowded with all those kiddos at the top.  Also new this year is the Straw Palace .  It's big enough to hide in and small enough not to get lost in.  The new additions helped the boy who has a vivid memory get over the fact that they didn't have the peddle carts or the duck races this year.  

Being the smart adventure seekers that we are, we planned our trip to the Farmstead when we thought it would be the least crowded.  We ventured out on opening weekend and Game Day. Yes, Game Day, with a capital GD, the day all of Boise is at the stadium and the rest of us are out having fun.  Hee, hee.  It was a smart move on our part as we had the whole place to ourselves.  

We arrived around 6:30 and stayed until 9:30 pm.  And we didn't even go through the corn maze which would have kept us there another 45 - 60 minutes.  I'll admit it took us a while to get adjusted to the new location.  (Did I mention they have a new location off Overland and Eagle Rds?)  Once we got our bearings and the boy got over the fact that they didn't have the peddle carts this year or the duck races, we were able to really enjoy ourselves.  We checked out the jumping pillow first and then the corn cannon, then over to the pony rides which only cost a dollar a person.  After the pony rides, the kids played in the corn box.  I don't know if you are familiar with Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, but I couldn't help thinking of the chapter "How Corn Took Over America" as the kids played in a box of corn  kernels.  My goodness, corn has a lot of uses in our society and the Farmstead is no exception.  Let's hear it for King Corn.

After picking the corn kernels out of their ears, we ventured over to the Straw Palace to play hide and seek.  The cow train was next and the kids loved riding over the bumps that are also new this year.  Next up the pumpkin patch and then a relaxing ride on the hayride.  The girl can't understand why I love the hayride so much.  I told her it's because it's the only time I ever just sit.  I know all you moms are sighing right now at the thought of sitting and doing nothing.  Ahhhh.  Doesn't happen enough, does it?

After the hayride we wandered over to the pig race that started at 8 pm.  At the beginning of every pig race they ask for volunteers to cheer on a pig and every year the girl jumps up and down with her hand in the air hoping to be picked.  This year since there were so few people there that night the girl actually got picked to cheer on a pig.  To top it off, her pig, Boarbra Walters won the pig race!  She won a free dessert from Dutch Oven Creations.  We found our way over to Dutch Oven Creations in the courtyard and gorged ourselves on the most delicious scone topped with cinnamon and sugar and icecream.   This was an extra special treat for my kids who aren't given anything unhealthy to eat in our home.  They indulged in every bite.  Lastly, we didn't walk through the corn maze like we usually do because, frankly, I don't trust myself not to get lost in mazes and there wasn't anybody going through that we could  follow.  That's okay though because we'd been there for three hours and it was time for bed.  

Just when we thought the night couldn't get any better, we ran into Hilary, the co-owner of the Farmstead who gave us four free tickets to raffle off on this blog.  Awesome!  

Things to remember:

Wear shoes and socks if you want to be most comfortable.  Bring or wear appropriate clothing such as coats, jackets, hats and gloves because it gets cool at night.  If the weather is warm bring sunscreen and lots of water.  Allow yourself plenty of time to spend there.  The corn maze takes about an hour and all the other activities combined take at least one or two hours.  Don't forget your camera for all those photo ops.  Bring dollars for the pony rides, pumpkins, and money for the food court.  Remember their location has changed to Overland and Eagle Rd.  Enter on Overland just east of Eagle Rd where the carpool place is.  Have fun!

Check out their website for hours of operation and directions.  They open at noon on Thursday and Friday, October 7 and 8 for teacher inservice .