...Idaho is beautiful and pristine...pls keep it that way!! BobG in VA
BobG....it's ugly out here...pass the word....ha...
I was born and raised here and I like to think it's still pristine. I have traveled all over the US and there are a lot of other nice places, however, I choose to stay here. We don't have dense populations, however, Boise is going and keeps on gowing. It causes strain on the "local" natural resources, however, there are still lots of protected areas. For example: We used to float (raft) the Middle Fork of the Salmon River from the head waters (River of No Return) to the Main Salmon. It's a permit only river (limited permits). They launch 7 groups a day for 7 day trips and the only way your coming out early is by medical evac. You have to pick you camp sites (hot springs galore) and everything that goes in comes out. I mean "everything" if you get my drift. Idaho has two of the deapest gorges in north America. One being the Middle Fork of The Salmon (River of No Return) and Hells Canyon.
On my property north of Boise, I have elk, deer, etc. walking through the property and now more and more wolves. Wolves have seem to have taken a toll on the game population. I don't hunt big game anymore (prefer varmits, birds, etc), but, lots of friends are up in arms about the re-introduction. I stay neutral on the subject myself, however, if one tries to eat one of our pups, it may see the end of a 12 gauge.
The little town up where my property is at is like visting a place from the 'older' west. It has a 'Trading Post' which is a hardware store and they have one of anything. The Merc, which is a small grocery store. Two watering holes. Everyone pretty much knows whos doing anything at any given time, however, I'm what you call a 'weekender' until retirement and I pretty much stay at home when I'm up there. My neighbors call me anytime they see a strange car around and I think if someone was trying to break in one of them might shoot first and ask questions later. Yes, you still see guns in the back of pickup windows, etc..ha. As a kid we used to carry our shotguns through town to the Snake River and hunt ducks. If you did that these days the swat team would be called.....ha.....
You can ride and ATV or snowmachine or hike/snowshoe (for the green people) for miles and miles directly from my house.
That being said, they are trying to develop a planned community with 520 condos and homes, big resort club house, heli pad, fishing ponds, whitewater park, tubing hill, etc. It's on the other end of the valley so I won't be impacted, however, it may change the 'face' of the little town. Heck, if I wanted to be that close to my neighbor, I would just stay here in town. It's not moving fast based upon the economy (for now), but, it will change sometime. But, you have to remember, it's only 50 miles from the largest city in Idaho. There's a lot of country here and the 1.5 million people in the entire state have room to spread out.
I'm glad you enjoyed you visit and please come back again. Just don't tell anyone else.....ha
I ordered some "ice studs" for the back wheel lugs on the tractor from a local motorcycle shop (goldmax ice screws). They come in tomorrow. I can remove them in the spring. I don't run it on pavement, so it shouldn't be a big rush even after the snow melts. We shall see how they work this weekend.
Happy New Year!