Summer Recap Pt. 3: Boise, ID

After making our stops in Colorado, we continued our 4500 mile journey west. Next stop: Boise, ID.

Departing Fruita, Colorado we made our way towards Salt Lake City, UT. Needing to find cell service for my work day ahead we made it to the glamorous boon docking spot at Walmart, Spanish Fork, UT. The work day there was a scorcher! Temps soared to 100+ degrees and not much shade was to be found either. With our fill of parking lot black top in July, we continued the drive west after my workday was over. New boon docking requirement: must find some form of water!

Our next stop for the workday was on the reservoir above the Milner Mile in southern Idaho. Temps still climbed past 100 degrees but as least we could cool off a bit. We took a look at what we could see of the section below the dam/diversion and could only wonder what it looked like with flowing water. It must be incredible!

Milner res at sundown

Milner Mile with no water releasing

Finishing out the work week, we made the final push for Boise. Taking a quick tour of Twin Falls on the Snake River on the way there.

Twin Falls Park, Idaho

A few things brought us to Boise. The Idaho paddling of course was a big draw, but we also had family and friends to visit. Barb and family were a warm welcome. So grateful we could connect and spend some quality time with. Also, big thanks to Barb for hosting the van camper at her house in Boise.

On our way to Boise, I reached out to friends we had met six years ago in Charles City, IA. At that time Kate and TJ were on their way to get married and stopped to check out the whitewater park in Charles City, Iowa on the way. We became fast friends and boated the whole day away. They instantly invited us to look them up and come boating if we ever made it to Boise, ID. We finally made it and they were happy to get a group together and lead us down the South Fork of the Payette. A new river for us. It was gorgeous and oh so much fun! The Antix was a great choice and there were plenty of fun eddy lines all the way down. Thank you Kate and TJ for your generous hospitably!

Kate and TJ on their visit at Charles City Whitewater with Marty and I.

On the South Fork Payette River. PC: Kate Thorpe

Concluding our time Boise, I connected with Loren and friends down at the whitewater park. Loren and fellow surfers graciously showed me the ropes at the Phase 2 Wave. This was a tall, fast wave unlike anything I had surfed thus far. The hydraulic behind the wave was also quite the ride!

My first time surfing the Phase 2 wave, Boise, ID.

Boise was yet another great stop on our road trip journey. Thank you to everyone who welcomed us in with open arms and spent the time with us. Hope we can come back and visit again soon!

-Hannah Ray J

Cover Photo: Big Falls, South Fork Payette River. PC: Kate Thorpe