Idaho City and Roaring Springs

This morning we drove about 45 minutes to Idaho City, a historic town with a current population of about 500. We scored some books at the town's used bookstore (donations only). Then we hiked 2.5 miles along a creek and picnicked at the Pioneer Cemetery. 

Once back in Boise, we headed to Roaring Springs. By some accounts this is a top 10 water park, and we all had a blast. Tomorrow we drive to Washington. 

We have to prepare the kids that the next few weeks won't be like this-adventure every day. Daddy actually has to work:)

The Oregon Trail

Hiking Idaho City

Used Bookstore

Roaring Springs Water Park-Boise

Boise, Idaho

  I must say that Boise was never really on my destination list, but it just made sense for us to stop here, and I'm so glad we did. It's a really beautiful city nestled down in a valley. 

 After a few intense travel days we had a leisurely morning...I ran on the Greenbelt which runs along the Boise River. We had a picnic at a park (one of 150 in Boise). After stopping by Boise State's campus and seeing the blue turf, we swam in the hotel pool. For dinner we went to Westside Drive-In (featured on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives) and tried fried steak and and ice cream potato (ice cream that looks like a potato). Then we stopped by Powells Sweet Shoppe and strolled downtown. We discovered a neat little book shop called Rediscovered Books. Now everyone has their head in a new book. Shh! 

  Tomorrow we plan to take a hike and spend the afternoon at Roaring Springs.(a top 10 water park)

Boise State's Blue Turf

Westside Drive In-fried steak & ice cream potato

Travel Day

Today was our longest travel day. We drove from Flagstaff, AZ to Boise, ID. We crossed the Colorado River, drove through The Great Basin, Salt Lake City, Utah and spotted the Great Salt lake. We use tickets in the car to earn treats like ice cream and listen to lots of books on tape like the Redwall series. 

The Grand Canyon

Rainbow on the drive from Flagstaff to GC

The boys

Sweet Coley

Hiking the outer rim

My love! (Photo by Coley)

The first few days.

Well so far we've spend two full days on the road, but we finally had a sightseeing day in Sedona, AZ. The highlight was an off-road jeep your that took us to the top of the rock formations. 

I know. I know. I'm terrible at blogging. No surprise there. I am, however, determined to re-birth this blog for the summer. The Stout's are headed on a journey to the Pacific Northwest. This is a timely adventure as we have just finished a year of American History, geography, etc. The kids (and I) have learned all the states and capitals and many features of US geography. We will be taking about a week to drive out/back. Some of the locations on our journey are The Grand Canyon, Park City, UT, Boise, Idaho (Roaring Springs-a top 10 water park). While in Washington we hope to enjoy the Pacific coast, drive into Canada, and spend time in the city of Seattle. On the trip back we hope to hit Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, and Schlitterbahn (a Kansas City water park). Who knows what else we might get into along the way. Here we go....!!