Travel Puma

Well, we’re wrapping up our trip out West with a quick post on downtown Boise, Idaho. 

Despite its population of just over 125,000, Boise is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon so it enjoys many luxuries other cities its size would not.  For instance, downtown Boise boasts niche shops from Urban Outfitters to Paradigm and while Boise State University of course brings in much of this business, it’s rare for a city this size to host such commerce.

When downtown, be sure to stop at the Tourist Information located on S 8th Street for a map of the area or stop into any local shop and grab one there.  The best way to see downtown is going to be on foot, so head over to Capital and park in the handy parking garage where the first hour is free and every hour after $2.50 per.

Start by walking  up to the state’s capital building which was designed with the U.S. capital in mind.  Currently the building is under construction and is not allowing any visitors inside, but its worth at least a closer look.

Next, just pick a street and start walking.  If you see a restaurant that looks appetizing, jump in and see what the locals are doing that day.  Often there are downtown events such as Alive After Five going on in the evenings.  Live like a local and enjoy some freshly-brewed beer or the best bacon on the planet at Brick Oven Bistro.

If you find you’re in need of souvenirs, look no further than Taters on S 8th, where you can find some Huckleberry jam and the prices are better than you would imagine.

Then it’s on to the local candy company, Owyhee Idaho Candy Company.  Since 1901 the company has been making its candy and selling it to Boise locals and beyond.  Stop in for some chocolate and maybe you’ll get a tour to boot.

Well, it’s time to end the day and now it’s your pick.  Head over to TableRock Brewery or find yourself in the local Basque Square or just chill off 8th South and watch the locals, either way, the foothills of Boise are glad you’re there.

While in Idaho and on our way to Yellowstone National Park, we took a pit stop at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in central Idaho.

This monument, located in the Snake River Plain, is a testament to lava formations left over from an ancient volcano which experienced activity between 17,000 and 2,000 years ago. 

While the monument is 83 square miles, the lava field is actually much larger with the park including an astounding 53,545 acres.  You can take the easily driveable seven-mile loop around the park and venture out at several nature walks, but be sure to stay on the path.

The main natural features here are the volcanic formations themselves, but be sure to appreciate the fragrant sagebrush, pikas and beware of the occasionally-spotted bears.

Be sure to dress cool as temperatures on Craters of the Moon can reach 150 degrees F in the summer due to the black lava absorbing the sun.  Oh, and try not to be disappointed that there’s no actual hot lava, you’ll just have to vacay to Hawaii to see that natural wonder.

Located in Boise, Idaho on 1402 W. State St. you will find one of the best hometown restaurants.

Fanci Freeze has been a Boise tradition since almost the beginning of time.  Serving up delicious shakes, burgers, tots and fries with fry sauce, this local restaurant is the perfect solution after hitting up Camels Back Park or a spot of rock climbing.

We took advantage of their chocolate malt, which we would pretty much drive 100 miles for now and we’re going to have to stop talking about it now or we might just end  up in the car with a full tank of gas.

Well, we didn’t do the best job blogging about the Boise, Idaho trip due to some Web troubles and a 20-mile Ice Lake Yellowstone Park hike, but we’re back now and going to make it up to you.

First off, if you’re planning a Yellowstone trip in July, stop there and reconsider.  While we were in the backcountry and not so much in the more populated areas of the park, we can only speak for the hordes of mosquitoes where we were, and boy can our bites tell a tale.

Apparently, July and early August is the high season for these pests who, in our opinion, do not have nearly enough spiders to eat them.  The best time to enjoy Yellowstone is going to be in mid to late August and even further on into the cooler season.

Take a tip from us, and rethink that July Yellowstone trip.

What gets you to Boise, Idaho might be the potatoes or Boise State University, but what will keep you there is the foothilled landscapes and stunning parks.

Boise has more than 30 parks that will stun you with their natural features, one of which being their 40-acre Kathryn Albertson Park where you are almost guaranteed to see at least one deer.

This special use park features 40 acres of beauiful Boise land along with outdoor gazebos where so many of Boise’s residents tie the knot, a fountain, and a cross-section of the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine.

If you’re looking for a great and free detour in Boise, look no further than their extensive list of parks.

Well, we have a surprise for all you readers, we’re coming to you live from Boise, Idaho.

That’s right, we’re here in the potato state for a 12-day excursion that will take us all around Boise from the BSU campus to the Brickoven Bisto and even all the way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

We’re keeping a travel nose the ground and will have something for you to chew on daily.

You’re too excited to work now, aren’t you?

It’s summertime and that means more festivals than you can throw a stick at, and Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is no exception.

This three-day annual festival in Murfreesboro, a college town right outside of Nashville, kicks off July 10 through the 12 and sees more than 45,000 visitors to the Cannonsburgh pioneer village.

Get there early and enjoy all kinds of homemade goodies from funnel cake to jam and enjoy watching local clogging, banjo picking and more.  The festival is free and open to the public.

It’s almost Bastille Day, and you know what that means, the entire city of Paris celebrating and that should not be missed this year.

Starting on the evening of July 13th at the Place de le Bastille you can be a part of history with an enormous dance and music party which marks not only Bastille Day this year but also the Eiffel Tower’s 120th birthday.

If you can’t make it on the 13th, be sure to stick around for the fireworks and light show that starts at 10:45pm on July 14th.  And did we mention this is all free travel fun?!  Now we have your attention, huh?

With New York City being named, once again, the most expensive US city to live in, we thought we’d give you a quick rundown on the Big Apple travel destination.

First off, you need to keep in mind that NYC is one of the best cities to explore on foot, if you’re riding in a taxi or taking the subway, you’re going to miss so much.  I mean, would you take the Underground through all of London?  The same principle applies here.

New York City’s grid pattern makes city travel a cinch and attractions easy to locate.

We’ve complied a quick list of areas to concentrate your vacation on this year:

• Brooklyn
• Central Park
• East Village and the Lower East Side
• Greenwich Village and Chelsea
• Harlem
• Lower Manhattan
• Midtown
• Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
• SoHo and Little Italy
• Union Square
• Upper East Side
• Upper West Side

If you stick to these NYC neighborhoods, fun will find you, and memories.

We have the raw deal straight from Budget Travel.  This year spend Thanksgiving in London for just $649 per person.

This round-trip deal from Virgin Atlantic comes with six nights at none other than the Apollo Hotel, daily breakfast, hotel taxes and all service charges for just $649.

I don’t see why you’re still staring at your computer screen, get a move on and book this UK vacation now while you still can!