Friday, October 31, 2008

Pink Doors

Eye-catching pink doors in downtown Boise. I guess there weren't eye-catching enough, though, the business behind them is gone. I think it was a boutique-type shop.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Red Sky at Morn' - Breathers Take Warn

Sunrise yesterday was spectacularly red and orange. The color comes from the pollution and haze we have hanging over our valley. There's an air quality alert today - warning folks to limit their time outdoors if they have lung or heart illnesses.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Public Art - Modern Stocks?

Art in downtown Boise. I can't explain it. We've joked that it's a modern version of public stocks for punishment. Have a go at interpretation!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The 8th Street Marketplace

I popped into the 8th Street Marketplace a couple of weeks ago, just to see what is left. The area of town is has become engulfed by the BoDo development. There wasn't much to see of the marketplace, and the insides are getting a remodel. Lots of scaffolding, dust, debris, and empty shop spaces, and everything was very dark. I checked out two levels and saw only a couple of stores - all closed, and some say they are only open "by appointment." There was an abandoned copy machine in the one of the hallways. This used to be a popular place with trendy clothing, a wine shop and a movie theater -where they would put REAL BUTTER on the popcorn. This sign is inside on one of the walls. It's nice to see the brick hasn't been covered up.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Balloon Car Buying

The typical car-buying lure in our area - lots of balloons. Balloons are supposed to make you think you need a new car? Balloons are full of hot air and so are....? A helium dealer is related to all the car dealers? I know that last time I bought a car, it wasn't because it had a balloon attached to it. I wanted to get a picture of the Boise Front with that row of trees in front...but our skies have been too smoky and hazy to even see much of the mountains.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Tin Man Band

A recycled metal mariachi band - with speakers playing music to match. Notice the wood saguaro, too. These band members can be found in the parking lot behind a Mexican restaurant.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Autumn View of the Boise River

An autumn view of the Boise river, looking east from Glenwood. Yesterday morning, I saw people standing in the middle of the river - fishing. No one around yesterday afternoon.

Friday, October 24, 2008

I Want This in My Backyard

The sound of this fountain is just what I want for my backyard. Of course, I don't want to pay for the electricity to power such a super-sized water pump, the water comes out fast to make such waterfall sounds.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Fly Fishing is Art

Fly fishing is often said to be an art - and here it is validated at the Boise Art Museum. Lots of close-up photos of fish getting tricked into thinking they're skimming a bug from the surface of the water.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Galaxy Diner Sign...or So I Thought


My husband told me I should get a picture of the Galaxy Diner sign downtown, before it disappears...only, it was a "Shorty's Diner" sign. I think "Shorty's" was a short-lived project after the Galaxy closed. The Galaxy used to be JB's Big Boy - if you remember those days in Boise. In fact, JB's owned the Galaxy. The sign is all that's left. The restaurant was torn down and the land is being used as parking, and is "for sale."

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Farmer Brown's House...and a Wagon Wheel

Well, Farmer Brown's house has seen better days. I hadn't noticed how run-down it was until over the weekend. Farmer Brown's is actually around 15 acres or so of farmland, barns, this house and assorted buildings - most of the land not really being "farmed" right now. The site has been more of an events center in recent years - with hayrides, haunted houses, rock concerts....and angry neighbors. The Brown family has described it as a "hub" of peace - yep, a wagon wheel reference and one right there in the picture. And although they've tried to get permits for parties, I don't think it has gone well. There's a "for sale" sign out front.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Pumpkin Patch

Decisions....decisions. So many pumpkins and all day to choose. And just for Wayne over at Vancouver Daily Photo, the hayride to the pumpkin patch we visited over the weekend was pulled by a tractor.


Sunday, October 19, 2008

Welcome Home - a 1863 Boise Cabin

A Boise "house" built in 1863 - the year the city was founded. It was probably a mansion in its time. This is not the original location, several historic houses were moved to a site next to the Boise Historical Museum. This is the Coston Cabin - it belonged to Isaac Coston, a pioneer farmer. He lived in this cabin for 50 years. Every once in a while, you can tour the inside. It really is one room and there really is no bathroom. Those were outhouse days.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

I follow the Oregon Trail Every Day

Follow the Oregon Trail through Boise and end up at....Staples office supply. This Oregon Trail marker is in the parking lot of the store. I actually drive along the Oregon Trail every day to take my daughter to school. As far as I can tell, the route I follow doesn't contain any evidence of the original trail anymore. You can see trail ruts if you head to southeast Boise. The Oregon Trail was one of several paths followed by those who moved out West when it was really the Wild West. I always figure that's why wagon wheels are so preferred as yard art, to acknowledge the Trail.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Idaho Native Sacagawea

This Sacagawea bronze statue is outside the Boise Historical Museum. Sometimes, her name is spelled Sacajawea - but the "g" spelling is now mainly used because it reflects the pronunciation as noted by Lewis and Clark. Her story is well-known. She was born in Idaho, a member of the Shoshone tribe, and later kidnapped by another tribe. She was "sold" to a French fur trader who claimed her as one of his wives. The baby she's carrying was known as "pomp" on the expedition. She and her husband's knowledge of native languages helped the expedition, and her presence let tribes know early on that the expedition was not a move of war. Children are often told she was an Indian Princess.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Boise Depot Construction

This is what the Boise Depot looks like right now, getting a new coat of stucco. I thought there was a fire at the top when I first drove by, but I guess it was just the lighting. The spots on the picture are raindrops. The Boise Depot is where you used to be able to catch a passenger train. Passenger trains don't stop in Boise anymore. You can rent the facility for meetings, parties and weddings.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A Boise Fox

I walked over to downtown Boise's Julia Davis Park late yesterday afternoon while my daughter was at choir practice, and this creature gave me a start. It's a fox intent on stalking squirrels. He went right past me fast and didn't even glance at me. "Zoo Boise" is in the park, could this fox be an escapee?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Cows by the Freeway

More Boise bovines, this varied selection is right along the interstate, I-84. I'll add them to my Cows of Boise collection, you can see the rest of the collection through links listed near the bottom of the page on the right. Boise is one of those towns where you see cows, real and decorative, every day.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Ultimate Electronics Artifact

This sphere was the icon of "Ultimate Electronics" - a computer-TV-DVD-type store along Milwaukee Road that went defunct a couple of years ago. The sphere used to be silver. Then in a face lift of the strip mall, it was painted red. Now, the strip mall is getting another remodel and the sphere has been abandoned in the parking lot. It takes up three spaces. I'm sure more than one person has thought it might look good in their back yard.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Snow-Covered Mountains in October

Here's the record-setting snow in October. Brr. It did not come near to warming enough to melt any of this off yet. We're all hoping this is just a sneak peek of winter. We still deserve a full autumn. Most trees haven't turned yet.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Snow in October?

I don't ever remember it snowing this early before. It snowed for quite a while yesterday (October 10). It was strange because most of the trees are still quite green and have their leaves. The mountains above town are white, and I'll show you tomorrow. The snow did not stick to the ground here in the valley. But just in case, I did line up the snow shovels. Update: According to the Weather Service, it was the earliest snow on record, since records were first kept in 1898.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Another Look at the Basque District

This is a mural in the Basque District. I spent some time in the area this week, I hadn't really done that before. There's a museum and several restaurants. By the way, the top "photo request" here at Boise Daily Photo is for pictures from this area of town.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Bar Gernika in the Basque District

To me, this looks like an English pub - but it's a Basque icon. It's a dark hang-out with a cheese platter that I've heard people brag about - I've yet to try it. And then this place is famous for its Beef Tongue Saturday - which I will never try. Not even if you double-dog dare me.


Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Cinderella Visits Boise?

This is always a bit disturbing to me, one shoe at the side of the road. I see it fairly often, although, not usually with a sock inside. If this is your shoe, you can find it along Capitol Boulevard across from the Grove Hotel.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

A House of Nightmares

Another Halloween fan. I wonder how long it takes to set this all up, and my other thought is - where do you store it in the off season?

Monday, October 6, 2008

Locust Trees are Among the First to Turn

Rows of baby locust trees at a nursery near my neighborhood. The line down the middle is a sprinkler pipe. The irrigation water is just being shut off throughout the valley. I can't remember a year the shut-off was this late. The water is usually gone in early September.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Pumpkins for Charity

This is a 230-pound white pumpkin, one of several giants at the neighborhood fire station pumpkin patch. We picked up three pumpkins small enough for my daughter to pick up. The pumpkins are "take what you want" for a donation, whatever you want to pay. The money goes to the Fallen Firefighter Fund.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Halloween Decorations

Some people around here decorate as much for Halloween as they do Christmas. Enlarge the photo to see the monsters in the windows. And in the left hand lower corner, a wagon wheel. I'll add this to my wagon wheel "I spy" collection. The complete list of links for the collection are on the right hand side of the page, scroll down.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Sidewalk Shopping

This is a sidewalk display and creative "open" sign for a recycled items store in downtown Boise. I went inside for just a few minutes, the items may be "used" but they still don't fit into my budget.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Fire Station Pumpkin Patch

I believe the fire station by my house grew many of their own pumpkins in the land behind the station - and beefed up the supply some. I think we'll take our little red wagon down this Saturday morning and buy a few for the cause.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

House of Cards Condos

Condos going up on top of shops and a parking garage. They're very skinny and look like a "house of cards game" right now. These condos are in the BoDo development downtown - yes, that name "BoDo" is, well....I'll let you decide.