Tell me about Idaho-

I know that it's an extremely red state, but what is the quality of life like...? any idahoids care to boast about their home state...?
we're hoping to relocate from chicagoland this year, and idaho is one of the places that seems to beckon to us the most...
but neither of us(my wife and/or I) have been to idaho-

of lefties in and around Ketchum and Sun Valley. It's beautiful and used to have one of the more outrageous Halloween celebrations I've ever witnessed. People used to work on their costumes for well over 6 months and damn near everyone in town participated .

Craters of the Moon National Park is one of the most otherworldy places I've ever seen.

If you check it out I'd be really surprised if you would be dissappointed.

Bozeman Montana is a fantastic place as well. It's a University town so the redneck/intellectual ratio is not too imbalanced.

DON'T move to Sand Point! Those people are nuts. It's like the militia capital of the world.

FSC

But if I were to boast about my home state, I'd be boasting about Minnesota. ;)

Honestly, outside from being very red and very conservative, there's nothing WRONG with Idaho. It's just that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Minnesotan and want to get back there.

I've lived in the Boise area for about 4½ years. The winters are mild - especially if you're used to a Chicago winter - down here in the Valley. Snow accumulation is rare - maybe five days a year total. If you like snow and want to ski, it's a short drive up to Bogus Basin. The ski areas of McCall are about 2½ hours away, and Sun Valley about 3 to 3½ hours.

The summers are hot and dry. If you like dry heat, you'll love it. We're considered "high desert".

I do like the autumn around here. There isn't much for fall colors like there is in the Midwest, but the weather is usually good. Cool enough to feel like fall, but not so cold it feels like an early winter.

There are lots of fun things to do in Boise; it's a nice small city, pretty, easy to navigate. There are good restaurants and clubs, beautiful parks, museums, and a zoo. We enjoy quite a few festivals and parades in the summertime.

If you decide to come out for a visit, feel free to PM me. If you're thinking of the Boise area, I'd be happy to show you and your wife around or at least point you to some areas of interest.

B-)

Are you retiring?

I long to move to Bend, Oregon. Perhaps you should check it out as well?

Idaho was famous to us northern Utahns for the following:

1. You could buy beer on Sundays
2. They had the lottery
3. Slow drivers
4. Big forest fires

Idaho is pretty conservative ... almost as conservative as Utah. But there is some spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation: volcanic remnants, huge forests, beatiful mountains, good skiing, interesting wildlife. Check out Stanley, Idaho City, Sun Valley, Lava Hot Springs, Snake River. If you like the great outdoors, you'll like Idaho.

We went here:

http://www.birdsofprey.blm.gov/

Boise is beautiful also, a nice river or creek or something near the university where people jog or ride bikes, you can walk down the street to a wine bar, Peregrine Falcons near the state capitol.

The people are bitter about Californians moving in and causing over-development and sprawl. You're not from California, are you? Being from Chicago should be OK, you could just say that you heard the call of the West.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72