The City of Trees
It’s been a month since I visited Boise, but the memories are fresh. It was the first trip with a new friend/travel companion, and he agreed to let me take the reins and design a weekend of fun. The pressure was on.
We met up early Friday evening at the Doubletree Club, a hideaway I discovered many years ago. It still has incredibly low weekend rates, great beds and warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in. Since TC claimed an affinity for hotel bars, we jumped into the silver PT Cruiser I scored from Budget and headed off to the Owyhee Plaza downtown.
Just as I had hoped, it was dark with flattering lighting and I’m sure I didn’t look a day over 47. I sipped the one gin and tonic I order each year to celebrate summer, while TC
took the Martini route and then switched to a microbrew. Despite the aroma of seared meat wafting over from the adjacent restaurant (TC is near vegan), the setting was great for “getting to know you” conversation.
From there, we strolled 5 blocks in the warm night air to Mai Thai restaurant. I had located it online and discovered the menu had a wealth of vegetarian offerings. The décor was completely hip and I was happy that Boise was as cool a town as I remembered. We shared tofu pad thai and green curry with rice and everything was going swimmingly until I accidentally inhaled a chili pepper flake that had fallen into my napkin. When I went to dab by nose (there was a bit of heat to the meal) in went the chili flake and out popped my eyeballs. It was difficult to maintain poise with an inflamed nostril, so I delicately excused myself to splash water up my nose in the restroom. Charming.
We lingered for a long time while my new friend heartily enjoyed his pear cider, but finally it was time to move on, Caught up in the spirit of adventure, TC agreed to accompany me to the Overland Bar. According to the Boise Weekly, this place has karaoke seven nights a week, black velvet paintings, the coldest beer in town and hot biker chicks. How could one go wrong?
Apparently drunken twenty-something Boiseians have no problem embracing fifty-ish former-yuppie tourists, because our table became the most popular one there and was visited by a wide array of friendly locals. As we quaffed $1.00 beers (is that possible?) we were hilariously subject to the worst singing on the planet. TC opted not to croon, thinking his trained voice might ruin the ambience. Wise decision.
Finally, we pointed the PT back to the Doubletree to rest up for busy day ahead.
Saturday morning was nice and warm, but not oppressively hot. I was happily able to watch the end of the Wimbledon Women’s Finals while getting ready. I had planned on a quick bite at Au Bon Pain in the Hotel, but guys like actual breakfasts (I forgot) so we headed back to the “city” to locate the Flipside Café on the north side of downtown. It was scheduled for the Sunday breakfast, but I graciously altered the itinerary to accommodate my hungry friend.
I had located this café by doing a Google search for “tofu scramble in Boise.” How did we plan trips before the internet? This is an amazing little restaurant with a wonderful menu, great coffees and teas and an eclectic and stylish atmosphere. The servers we super friendly (but of course, this is Boise) and I had a delicious plate of huevos rancheros loaded with avocado.
We waddled out sometime later and TC agreed to let me drag him to the World Center for Birds of Prey. Some of my imaginary readers know that I’m a hawk freak, and this is pretty much Mecca for people like me. I happened upon it about a decade ago and joined their parent organization, The Peregrine Fund, after my first visit. They have successfully reintroduced enough peregrine falcons back into the wild that they are no longer on the endangered species list. They are the only condor breeding facility outside of San Diego and are working worldwide to restore imperiled raptors like the Harpy Eagle.
This would be a real snooze for someone whose imagination is not engaged by a wide variety of subjects, but TC was up to challenge. We spent a long time there, viewing exhibits, bonding with a Northern Harrier and chatting with the docents – who were, of course, incredibly friendly. The condor performed admirably for us, coming out of his box to stretch and display his outstretched wings. With the one-way glass he wasn’t supposed to know we were there, but I wonder…
We headed back to the Cruiser for the short jaunt back downtown. The printed itinerary called for a stop at a gourmet market for picnic fixings for the evening ahead and lunch at Casbah, a Middle Eastern restaurant. The market was closed and I was too full for another meal – so we stopped at Sol, a Mexican quick food place I fondly remembered and I watched TC down a veggie burrito. Then back in the car heading back to the Doubletree so TC could use the treadmill and I could visit the local Albertson’s (a Boise company) to pick up the evening’s vittles.
After a little rest break we reconnoitered for the evening’s festivities. The purpose of the trip was a visit to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and their opening night performance of “Major Barbara” by George Bernard Shaw. It was a glorious summer evening along the Boise River, we had choice seats and I had brought a bottle of tasty Chardonnay all the way from Zahtila Winery in Calistoga. The menu included three salads, onion stuffed green olives, Sheepherder’s bread with cheddar and pepper jack, carrots with blue cheese dip, almonds and oatmeal cookies. As I looked around the audience, everyone was smiling and happy. I mentally compared it to my trip to Disneyland the previous month. I think Boise wins as the “happiest place on earth.”
The production was credible, if not totally inspired. There were some excellent performances and Shaw never fails to deliver a few zingers. The tale of an arms manufacturer who places profit over integrity could not have been more apt. Unfortunately, the actress playing Barbara was a Julie Andrews wannabe and I suspect her director-husband was afraid to land much criticism. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful evening, with the nearly full moon rising over the stage as the show came to a close.
TC wasn’t ready to end the night, so we headed back downtown to the Old Chicago Bar and Grill, which he spotted the night before while at Mai Thai (next door). This place has a huge selection of microbrews, and we stayed for hours while watching cars cruise Boise’s main drag and watching the spudheads. (I’m sorry, but some Idaho residents look even more like potatoes after a couple of IPA’s.) At 2:00 am they kicked us out and we headed back to the “Club.”
There wasn’t much time for Sunday fun, but I was able to catch some of the Wimbledon Men’s Final while packing up. It was a mutual decision that there was probably no better place for breakfast than the Flipside, so back we went. This time I ordered lemon chiffon pancakes with blackberries and crème fraiche that were THE BEST pancakes I have ever had anywhere. I must figure out how to recreate that recipe.
Reluctantly, we climbed back into the Cruiser for the final trip to the airport and our flights home. TC offered to call me upon his return so we could start planning the next trip. I guess I met the challenge.
We met up early Friday evening at the Doubletree Club, a hideaway I discovered many years ago. It still has incredibly low weekend rates, great beds and warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in. Since TC claimed an affinity for hotel bars, we jumped into the silver PT Cruiser I scored from Budget and headed off to the Owyhee Plaza downtown.
Just as I had hoped, it was dark with flattering lighting and I’m sure I didn’t look a day over 47. I sipped the one gin and tonic I order each year to celebrate summer, while TC
took the Martini route and then switched to a microbrew. Despite the aroma of seared meat wafting over from the adjacent restaurant (TC is near vegan), the setting was great for “getting to know you” conversation.
From there, we strolled 5 blocks in the warm night air to Mai Thai restaurant. I had located it online and discovered the menu had a wealth of vegetarian offerings. The décor was completely hip and I was happy that Boise was as cool a town as I remembered. We shared tofu pad thai and green curry with rice and everything was going swimmingly until I accidentally inhaled a chili pepper flake that had fallen into my napkin. When I went to dab by nose (there was a bit of heat to the meal) in went the chili flake and out popped my eyeballs. It was difficult to maintain poise with an inflamed nostril, so I delicately excused myself to splash water up my nose in the restroom. Charming.
We lingered for a long time while my new friend heartily enjoyed his pear cider, but finally it was time to move on, Caught up in the spirit of adventure, TC agreed to accompany me to the Overland Bar. According to the Boise Weekly, this place has karaoke seven nights a week, black velvet paintings, the coldest beer in town and hot biker chicks. How could one go wrong?
Apparently drunken twenty-something Boiseians have no problem embracing fifty-ish former-yuppie tourists, because our table became the most popular one there and was visited by a wide array of friendly locals. As we quaffed $1.00 beers (is that possible?) we were hilariously subject to the worst singing on the planet. TC opted not to croon, thinking his trained voice might ruin the ambience. Wise decision.
Finally, we pointed the PT back to the Doubletree to rest up for busy day ahead.
Saturday morning was nice and warm, but not oppressively hot. I was happily able to watch the end of the Wimbledon Women’s Finals while getting ready. I had planned on a quick bite at Au Bon Pain in the Hotel, but guys like actual breakfasts (I forgot) so we headed back to the “city” to locate the Flipside Café on the north side of downtown. It was scheduled for the Sunday breakfast, but I graciously altered the itinerary to accommodate my hungry friend.
I had located this café by doing a Google search for “tofu scramble in Boise.” How did we plan trips before the internet? This is an amazing little restaurant with a wonderful menu, great coffees and teas and an eclectic and stylish atmosphere. The servers we super friendly (but of course, this is Boise) and I had a delicious plate of huevos rancheros loaded with avocado.
We waddled out sometime later and TC agreed to let me drag him to the World Center for Birds of Prey. Some of my imaginary readers know that I’m a hawk freak, and this is pretty much Mecca for people like me. I happened upon it about a decade ago and joined their parent organization, The Peregrine Fund, after my first visit. They have successfully reintroduced enough peregrine falcons back into the wild that they are no longer on the endangered species list. They are the only condor breeding facility outside of San Diego and are working worldwide to restore imperiled raptors like the Harpy Eagle.
This would be a real snooze for someone whose imagination is not engaged by a wide variety of subjects, but TC was up to challenge. We spent a long time there, viewing exhibits, bonding with a Northern Harrier and chatting with the docents – who were, of course, incredibly friendly. The condor performed admirably for us, coming out of his box to stretch and display his outstretched wings. With the one-way glass he wasn’t supposed to know we were there, but I wonder…
We headed back to the Cruiser for the short jaunt back downtown. The printed itinerary called for a stop at a gourmet market for picnic fixings for the evening ahead and lunch at Casbah, a Middle Eastern restaurant. The market was closed and I was too full for another meal – so we stopped at Sol, a Mexican quick food place I fondly remembered and I watched TC down a veggie burrito. Then back in the car heading back to the Doubletree so TC could use the treadmill and I could visit the local Albertson’s (a Boise company) to pick up the evening’s vittles.
After a little rest break we reconnoitered for the evening’s festivities. The purpose of the trip was a visit to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and their opening night performance of “Major Barbara” by George Bernard Shaw. It was a glorious summer evening along the Boise River, we had choice seats and I had brought a bottle of tasty Chardonnay all the way from Zahtila Winery in Calistoga. The menu included three salads, onion stuffed green olives, Sheepherder’s bread with cheddar and pepper jack, carrots with blue cheese dip, almonds and oatmeal cookies. As I looked around the audience, everyone was smiling and happy. I mentally compared it to my trip to Disneyland the previous month. I think Boise wins as the “happiest place on earth.”
The production was credible, if not totally inspired. There were some excellent performances and Shaw never fails to deliver a few zingers. The tale of an arms manufacturer who places profit over integrity could not have been more apt. Unfortunately, the actress playing Barbara was a Julie Andrews wannabe and I suspect her director-husband was afraid to land much criticism. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful evening, with the nearly full moon rising over the stage as the show came to a close.
TC wasn’t ready to end the night, so we headed back downtown to the Old Chicago Bar and Grill, which he spotted the night before while at Mai Thai (next door). This place has a huge selection of microbrews, and we stayed for hours while watching cars cruise Boise’s main drag and watching the spudheads. (I’m sorry, but some Idaho residents look even more like potatoes after a couple of IPA’s.) At 2:00 am they kicked us out and we headed back to the “Club.”
There wasn’t much time for Sunday fun, but I was able to catch some of the Wimbledon Men’s Final while packing up. It was a mutual decision that there was probably no better place for breakfast than the Flipside, so back we went. This time I ordered lemon chiffon pancakes with blackberries and crème fraiche that were THE BEST pancakes I have ever had anywhere. I must figure out how to recreate that recipe.
Reluctantly, we climbed back into the Cruiser for the final trip to the airport and our flights home. TC offered to call me upon his return so we could start planning the next trip. I guess I met the challenge.
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