Idaho: The State For Driving and Dreaming

People often associate “Idaho” with “Potato”. Not only do the two words rhyme with each other, the state of Idaho, in fact, produces about one third of all potatoes in the United States. But seeing Idaho merely as a state that produces potatoes is like thinking pizza is the only type of Italian food: You are missing too much about all other wonderful things.

Scenery near Arco, Idaho

Situated at the northwest corner of the contiguous United States, the state of Idaho borders a whopping number of six states (Washington, Oregon, Nevada. Utah, Wyoming, and Montana) and two Canadian provinces (British Columbia and Alberta). Its geographical location gives the state fairly diverse landscapes. Idaho is consisted of two distinct parts: the North, where is often associated with deep, green valleys and giant lakes; and the South,  where the landscape is almost desert like with tall, snowy peaks dominating the background. 

Public Artworks in Coeur D'Alene

The Coeur D'Alene Resort and Lake Coeur D'Alene

The northern part of Idaho has wonderful sceneries almost identical to the ones you can find in nearby Montana or British Columbia.  Every summer tourists and vacationers alike from all over the United States and even around the world swarm into the region to enjoy the endless recreational opportunities Northern Idaho has to offer. America’s own Barbara Walters once called Coeur D’Alene, Northern Idaho’s chief city “a little slice of heaven”. The city is packed with resorts and fine, world class restaurants. It is a city people will never find boring as there is always something to do there.

The Coeur D'Alene Resort

Downtown Coeur D'Alene

Most of Idaho is well connected by regional highways and several major Interstates, which means that the best way to explore the state is by motor vehicle. Right next to the city of Coeur D’Alene is Lake Coeur D’Alene. The snake shaped lake, with its many arms and intricate waterways, makes people feel like that they are rather in a cove on the west coast instead of a lake in the interior. Along the shore of Lake Coeur D’Alene there are winding roads leading into the mountains. What would one expect to find on these roads? Only those who have driven them know.

Lake Coeur D'Alene

Waterfront Park in Coeur D'Alene after rain

In the southeast corner of Idaho, where the state borders Wyoming, lies the Swan Valley. The place is part of the famous Teton Country, a region surrounding the Teton Range and the Grand Teton National Park. Swan Valley is where the Snake River flows out of the Rockies in Wyoming to the high plains of Eastern Idaho and eventually meets the mighty Columbia River. The river carved out many gorges, which could be seen along the country highways in the Swan Valley region.

Swan Valley and the Snake River

The Swan Valley

Once the Snake River flows out of the Swan Valley, it reaches the city of Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls obtained its name from the rapids of the Snake River located in the city center. When a hydro dam was constructed on the site, it transformed the rapids into a fall. The hydroelectric motor on the Snake River is able to generate as much as half of all electrify used by residents of Idaho Falls. The river Idaho Falls is known for its scenic Green Belt along the Snake River. The Idaho Falls Temple, together with the Green Belt and the waterfall formed by the hydroelectric dam, has become one of the most photographed scene in Idaho. 

Idaho Falls Temple and the dam

The Snake River Rapids and the dam

The state of Idaho is a pioneer in utilizing renewable energy to power its industries and households. Hydroelectric dams, like the one on Snake River in Idaho Falls, can be found throughout the state. Idaho was the very first state to use nuclear energy for generating electricity, and the city of Arco was the very first city in the world ever to be lightened up by a nuclear power plant. Along the major Interstates of Idaho, wind turbines standing tall in the farmlands, powering the agricultural production in Idaho.

Wind Turbines standing in Idaho's farms

About 60 miles west of Arco is a land of distinct features. The area was created as a result of the last Yellowstone super volcano eruption. Coal colored soil extends to as far as 464,303 acres and forms a landscape so deserted that could easily mistake visitors believing that they are on a different planet. The name of this now federally protected area is called The Craters of the Moon National Monument because of its barren landscape and volcanic features that resemble those found on the moon. 

The soil in the area resemble those found on the moon

A volcanic cone inside the Craters of the Moon National Monument

These three bulls near the entrance of the national monument appeared to be very annoyed of human presence in the area

West of The Craters of the Moon National Monument is a fertile region surrounded by high peaks. To the north the highway will lead to the Sun Valley, where is famous for its world class skiing facilities and the last residence of Ernest Hemingway. In 1961 Hemingway shot himself at his house in Ketchum, Idaho as the result of long time depression and physical pain he suffered from a plane crush.

The mountain range that surround the Sun Valley

To the south you will cross the mighty Snake River gorge and reach the Shoshone Falls. Nicknamed “the Niagara of the West”, The Shoshone Falls are actually slightly higher than the Niagara Falls (but lose to Niagara tremendously in terms of water volume). On top of the falls there is a hydroelectric dam built to provide electricity to the surrounding area. Unfortunately, not only does the dam somewhat ruin the overall scenery of a splendid waterfall, the size of the falls are much smaller in compare to the time when there were no dams at all. This shows an example to us that clean energy still has some setbacks to our environment, which we don’t really hear a lot from those who promote it. 

Shoshone Falls in September

The nearby city of Twin Falls, Idaho obtained its name from Shoshone Falls’ two separate sections. Unlike other important cities built along the Snake River, there is no waterfront access to the river at all – One need to experience a vertical drop of hundreds of feet to the very bottom of the Snake River Canyon in order to just touch the water.  The sheer size of the canyon in many ways remind people of a mini version of the Grand Canyon. Even the Perrine Bridge, a supposedly ordinary highway bridge that connects communities located on two sides of the canyon, has unexpectedly become a popular spot for BASE jumping. 

The Snake River Canyon from the Perrine Bridge

The Perrine Bridge

Following Idaho’s Interstate 84, which happens to fall onto the historic Oregon Trail from Twin Falls to the west, you will hit Boise – Idaho’s capital city. Today Boise is a city known for its high-tech industry, which relies on Idaho’s rich silver and other mineral deposits. The modern looking buildings and the old pioneer era buildings have put together a strong juxtaposition, making visitors feel like they are constantly traveling back and forth the past and the future.

There are many modern buildings like the Zions Bank Tower under construction in Boise

Boise High School definitely has a timeless design

The Idaho State Capitol

Idaho is a state for drivers: Its vast and diverse landscape offers cruisers an experience at 80 miles per hour unparalleled to anywhere else. Idaho is also a state for dreamers: It was here humans achieved the dream of mastering a deadly technology into powering up households with zero carbon emission. The dreamers of a better planet fueled by clean energy are setting their eyes on Idaho and hoping to see another successful American experiment. It is the place where a dreamers’ dreams all ended and the visions of snows on Kilimanjaro and a tolling bell rang for the unknown all faded away. Idaho is for those who love and imagine adventures: Its sky has no limit, and its roads seem to have no end. It is a place for cars to go fast, and it is a place for hearts to be wild and free.

Interstate 15 in Idaho