Idaho: A gem of a state
A historically rich destination with activities and educational opportunities galore
When we studied American history in high school many years ago, the state of Idaho was famous for its potatoes. Fifty-five years later, we discovered that there is a lot more to Idaho than spuds. We spent the summer serving as volunteers at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa, near Boise, and found that there are two birds of prey centres nearby. The World Center for the Birds of Prey is home to two California condors in a very large outdoor enclosure.
The centre breeds these magnificent birds, which are the largest birds in North America, and releases them over the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Also residing here are peregrine falcons, harpy eagles, alpamado falcons and many other eagles and hawks. A number of the exhibit halls are especially geared for young children, but adults will be fascinated by this collection, just as we were.
The Snake River Birds of Prey centre does not have condors but does house a large collection of raptors—eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and vultures. Based in Kuna, there are boat tours on the river, or one can go to Celebration Park nearby and watch the birds ride the thermals and soar overhead. Celebration Park is another little gem, with primitive camping along the river, a small visitor centre and petroglyphs on the trails. Some of this rock art is over 10,000 years old.
Wet and wild
Birding is not the only thing that makes a trip to Idaho worthwhile, for the Snake River is also a large attraction. Starting in Yellowstone National Park, the Snake River flows through Idaho, into the Columbia River and eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean. Water sports on the Snake River are very popular, particularly rafting in Hell's Canyon. In creating Hell's Canyon, the Snake River made America’s deepest river gorge.
There are more places to test your skills in a raft going through white water than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. For the less adventurous boater, Lake Lowell at the Refuge offers 15 miles of water where sail boats, motor boats and kayaks can explore open water, calm inlets and no wake zones. Water skiing and jet skiing are very popular here also.
Lake Lowell was created in 1909 as an irrigation reservoir and its waters nurture the many fields of farmland nearby. The Snake River is also a source of water for the farms along its shores. Hence, Idaho grows more crops for seed than any other state in the USA. That’s another fact we did not know. The water is distributed by pumps, except in one little community, New Plymouth, where wooden waterwheels are still used.
Five of these devices are spread along the banks of the Noble Irrigation Canal and distribute water to the fields. The wheels are up to 16 feet in diameter and are continuously in motion. A local farmer, Ross Rosenberger, told us that he owned two of the wheels, and that these units are as effective as any modern system. What started out as a brief conversation turned into a lengthy talk on farming. We learned why seed production is such a successful industry in Idaho; very little rain falls here, so seeds stay on the plants and can be collected easily. The abundance of irrigation canals and the many rivers make up for the lack of rainfall.
History is golden
So far, we have covered recreational activities and farming, but Idaho was founded by miners who came looking for gold and silver. So, bright and early one morning, we set off for the Owyhee Mountains to the south. Owyhee is pronounced “O-Why-Hee” and the name comes from the original spelling of Hawaii used by Captain Cook when he visited the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) in 1788. Here he found natives called Owyhees and the British and American traders picked up this spelling.
Later, a number of natives sailed to the Columbia River, went to work for a Canada-based fur company and the name Owyhee stuck. Silver City is off the beaten path and is at an elevation of 6,200 feet (3,880 kilometres). It is reached by 20 miles of dirt road that twists and turns with plenty of switchbacks. We did not go until late June, as the road was still closed by snow until then. The town has only a dozen or so residents in the summertime and only one in winter. In its prime, thousands lived here, frequenting the Idaho Hotel, built in the 1890s and still open for business. We had lunch there after walking through the town. The dining room is just as it was at the turn of the century—twentieth century, that is. We dined in semi-darkness, for there is no electricity here. It was like going back in time.
On a long weekend, we travelled to Wieser, just up the road, where there was a Fiddlers Convention. We then went to Ontario, Oregon, where we visited the Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum with its beautiful Japanese garden. We attended a Japanese Festival, with dancing and great drum music. Going further back into the nineteenth century, we drove up to the Oregon Immigrant’s Trail Museum in Baker. We spent half a day there and were amazed as to how these early settlers managed to carve a trail through the wilderness. We headed back home through the forest towards Unity, OR without passing through another town of any size. Some parts of this country are literally unchanged.
Back to the base
From our base at the Refuge, we participated in a number of educational outreach events; a BioBlitz, a Lavender Festival, a Birds of Prey event and a Nature Day at the local library. While manning the front desk of the visitor Centre, Marguerite had an opportunity to meet visitors from many parts of the USA and Canada.
We were also able to view heron, egrets, ducks, owls and other wildlife, including 24 deer who inhabited our front yard. Our three months in Idaho created a great fondness for its beauty and history.
Contacts:
World Center for the Birds of Prey, Boise, ID (208) 362-8687
Snake River Birds of Prey, Kuna, ID (208) 658-9980
Celebration Park, Melba, ID (208) 495-2745
Hells Canyon Recreation Area (877) 364-3246
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Nampa, ID (208) 467-9278
Idaho Hotel, Silver City, ID (208) 583-4104
Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, Ontario, OR (541) 889-8191
Oregon Immigrants Trail Museum, Baker, ID (541) 523-1843
