Up this morning about 6, and breakfasted (is that a verb?) in our room on picnic leftovers. Ready to go and down to the car around 8, and out of town on a really-not-at-all-crowded freeway. Such a difference from getting to Garden City yesterday, that’s for sure. Much more pleasant this time. However, to answer our friend Stew’s question: You drove HOW long to get a raspberry shake? Yes, Stew – 5 or 6 hours – but the shake was wonderful and probably sometime next year I will hanker after another one!
We exited Utah into Idaho and decided to stop for lunch in Twin Falls. Ended up with Big Mac’s and fries, and then back onto the freeway for another couple of hours to Boise. To be honest, the driving to Boise wasn’t all that interesting, and the sky was very, very hazy; we’re thinking that Idaho is yet another state is being plagued by fires in neighboring states, but the usual brilliant blue sky is definitely missing. Also, the scenery was pretty bland – brown hills and valleys, and not really any mountains with green trees anywhere to be seen.
Pulled into our hotel about 3 pm and straight into our suite. We’re at Homewood Suites near the Boise airport, room 430. Top floor, with a nice view in a beautiful hotel. And, the best part??? They have a guest laundry for me to use! I knew I’d have to do laundry somewhere, and thought about doing it this afternoon. However, after doing some advanced math, have realized that I really need to wait until Monday morning, right before we leave, so that then we will have everything we need to get us through the week and home. The interesting thing about our location is that within 6 minutes from here, we are right in the middle of downtown Boise! Wow! Truly, that’s amazing!
We looked on-line to see what there was to see, and found the Boise Art Glass studio. Not being sure if it would be open on Sunday, we headed there first. We walked into a private glass blowing class – one instructor and two students. We were able to watch discretely – and while this is something that Robert has always wanted to do, my reaction was: Seriously? You want me around red-hot glass? I don’t think so! Definitely a hazard as far as I’m concerned. They had some really lovely pieces on display – and for the low, low price of something in the order of $9,500, you could have a Dale Chihuly original! Gave that a pass!
From there, we basically did some downtown driving. Lovely wide streets and some truly lovely older homes! I have always loved brick, and as it wasn’t really much used in southern California, and not even in southern Arizona, so I think it’s wonderful to see. Also, many houses with huge porches, which always reminds me of my grandparent’s house in Detroit. I do love front porches!
At any rate, by this time we were both getting hungry, and decided to head back towards our hotel, as there are a great many dining options there. Settled on McGrath’s, which is a small regional chain – 3 restaurants in Washington, 1 in Oregon and this one in Boise. Not much of a crowd about 5 pm, and we were able to get a nice, quiet booth. (All the staff were masked up, and again, the sign on the door requiring anyone entering to mask up too.)
Robert ordered their clam chowder (which was excellent!) to start, and then their Idaho trout entrée, served with red potatoes and grilled veggies. He enjoyed every bite and was definitely a member of my Mom’s “Clean Plate Club.” I started with the wedge salad, which was great, and followed that up with not one, not two, but THREE yummy crab cakes! Truly a huge portion; I managed to eat one and brought the other two back with us! All washed down with a bottle of Brancott Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. (R pointed out that there were absolutely NO wines from California on their list! Interesting, we thought!)
Back to the hotel then, and in for the night! We did find, though, that this is the first hotel that carries NBCSN on the TV, so we’ll be able to watch the Tour de France tomorrow morning! YEAH! Haven’t seen it since we left home last Monday! What a great place – laundry AND the bike race!!!
Our friend, Rosemary, has family members who live here, and she recommended that we take the Historical Society’s trolley tour, so we’re signed up for that at 2 pm tomorrow! Very much looking forward to it! So – more later!
Much love,
m
xxx
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