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When I first moved here over 30 years ago—sheesh, where does the time go?—there were almost 100,000 people in the Treasure Valley. Now the population of the metropolitan area has reached a quarter million.

Outlying villages have merged into miles and miles of cookie-cutter developments with loftily misplaced names like Tuscany Meadows, Princeton Place, Artisan Point, Boulder Heights, Blue Meadows . . .. At the west end of the county traffic is nightmarish. Big box stores scream for attention at every major intersection.

But I live in an older, more sedately-paced part of town. All that stands between me and the downtown core is the Boise State University campus and a lot of student housing. Yes, it can get noisy around here, especially on home football days and in the spring, when classroom crazy succumbs to kegger relief. However, I can walk or ride my bike to most downtown activities. Despite the occasional murder along the river or adolescent cougar on the loose, I feel safe walking home at night.

Besides helping to stave off sit-buttitis, my walks never cease to amaze me. I see things that on wheels would be missed. First of all, a river runs through it.DSC_0702 IMG_3604Then there are the parks that necklace the river, providing open space and miles of greenbelt for skating, cycling, and walking.IMG_3567Julia Davis, herself, Boise's first matron of the arts and hospitality. She and husband, Tom, were early and very successful pioneers during the 1860s. Tom deeded the land for this park to the city in honor of his wife.

Julia Davis, herself, Boise’s first matron of the arts and hospitality. She and husband, Tom, were early and very successful pioneers during the 1860s. Tom deeded the land for this park to the city in honor of his wife.

The Oregon Trail Memorial Bridge marks the approximate location of the original Boise River ferry crossing. The bridge was build in 1931 and is buttonholed between two landmarks, The State Capitol Building to the north and the Union Pacific Railroad station to the south.

The Oregon Trail Memorial bridge was built in 1931 near where the original Boise River ferry crossing had been. The bridge is buttonholed between two major landmarks: The State Capitol Building to the north (and shown below) and the Union Pacific Train station to the south.IMG_3562

 

My walks always involve some sort of wildlife . . .

My walks always involve some sort of wildlife . . .   A growing population has enabled Boise's arts & cultural community to flourish

A growing population has enabled Boise’s arts & cultural community to flourish

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Even our traffic boxes and transit shelters are works of art.

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  • One whole downtown block is dedicated to our historically rich Basque community.
  • One whole downtown block is dedicated to our historically rich Basque community. Just another bit of interesting art in the Trader Joe's parking lot.
  • Just another bit of interesting art in the Trader Joe’s parking lot.
Don't forget body art.

Don’t forget body art.

We have our share of ugly buildings. But some of the architecture is pretty cool.

We have our share of ugly buildings. But some of the architecture is pretty cool.

IMG_1268[1]These are just a few of the things I love about Boise. All images came from my often-cursed iPhone.