Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
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
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
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
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
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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