Greyhound History

The Art Deco-style Greyhound Bus station sign is the brightest thing about this building. 

Starbucks History

A peek inside the sketchbooks of a relative, who designed logos for Starbucks. This page is from the 1980s, he later tweaked the siren. You can see the inspiration in the corner. That image came from a medieval manuscript.

Grocery Ghost

Paul's Markets used to be found in several towns, but many have closed, including this location in Nampa. At first, there was a sign on the door saying they were only closed to "remodel," but it soon became apparent that wasn't the case.

Idaho Collector Plate

I don't know the date on this plate, found in an antiques store, but it's a good example of how the marketing of Idaho wasn't always just about potatoes.

Giant Pollinator

This metal art resides above the custom potting section at Edwards Greenhouse.

Starlite Motel

Rooms are still available to rent and this vintage motel in Nampa.

Tea in a Greenhouse

Edwards Greenhouse is soothing symptoms of spring fever with an offering of 'tea for two,' along with a swath of indoor turf and music. This is my daughter decked out for tea Sunday afternoon.

Coffeehouse Requests

Sign on the door at Flying M in Nampa.

Steampunk Alley Art

This is in downtown Nampa (town near Boise).

Boise Little Theater

It really IS little. This is an all-volunteer community theater that's been putting on productions since the 1940s. The original building burned down and two volunteers died. You can read all about the history in the lobby, which includes displays of vintage playbills and costumes.

Canal Gates

Controlling irrigation water through canals isn't high-tech. Gates such as these aren't usually highly visible, but you can get up close and see this set near Reserve Street. Canals criss-cross the valley. Without the watering systems, there would be limited agriculture and greenery and trees, because not enough water falls naturally to sustain that kind of life in our high-desert/Mediterranean climate.

Benchmark on Bannock

A benchmark on Bannock Street, at the curb. Benchmarks are survey monuments. They can be found throughout the county. The codes on this one show that the elevation at this point was calculated using NAVD - North American Vertical Datum 1988 - at 2697.69 feet.

Tree at Military Reserve

Just outside the cemetery fencing, stands this lone, little tree. Military Reserve is a public area of open space, hiking/biking, trails - a place just a couple of minutes from downtown where you can catch your breath.

MLK Street Art

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, image is made of pieces of mirror in this art in Freak Alley.

This Old House, in a New Location

The Jones house, built in 1893, is one of several homes saved from the historic Central Addition subdivision - which is the site of a new development. Here it is in its new home at Reserve and Krall streets, just north of St. Luke's, downtown. Notice restoration work around the windows. In the back, there are cathedral windows and more stained glass.

Little Bit of Snow and Fog

The snow melted by noon!

Boise Veterans Hospital

The hospital is on the grounds of Fort Boise, a National Historic District dating back to the 1800s. Dozens of historic structures line the campus.

Keepsies in a Temporary Home

 This piece of public art used to be in The Grove. But since that is a major construction zone/remodel, the piece has been moved to the Boise Senior Center. It looks to me like it will stay in its "temporary" home.

This is a photo of the piece in its original location. Photo taken about 13 years ago.

Someone's "Someday" Project

Old school buses can be tricked out as recreational vehciles.

Idaho Supreme Court

Mid-century modern styling with some Art Deco features.

Mailbox Win

Cool mailbox stand in Garden City. BTW, I'm pretty sure this is the same dragon I saw in a window in the North End last summer?

Free Candy Trick

Inside the box? Free books! This is in front of the Roosevelt Market in the East End.

Japanese New Year Celebration

Pounding the mochi at the Idaho Japanese Association New Year party today. Everyone was offered an opportunity to swing the mallet. The mochi was served savory and sweet.

Summers Funeral Home

Cool architecture. Summers, and its varied names throughout the years, has been in Boise for decades. I believe this building used to have a couple of guest rooms for family members, back when hotel space was scarce in Boise.

Sadness in an Alley

I hope happier days were ahead of that date last year. The art and added message are in Freak Alley.

Indoor Baseball Training

A local legend who helped grow interest in baseball. This memorial is on top of a covered facility for practice when fields are too muddy or snow-covered.

Campaign Sign Recycling

Old election season leftover used to cover up a window.

Green Tractor

Front-yard parking in Garden City.

Pretty, Painted Fence

Discovered in a Bench neighborhood. What a lovely idea.

Sign Collection

On top of the one of the Ada County Highway District buildings in Garden City.

Idaho Love