2020-05-01_Lonely_Planet_Traveller

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Idaho

Shaped like a skyward-pointed pistol, Idaho is a

tantalising enigma: gritty and elegant, urban and

wild, old and new. Its topography confines urban

growth to a few fringe locations that swoop like

a fishhook from the northern panhandle through

Boise before snagging Yellowstone at the

Wyoming border. It holds bountiful wilderness,

jagged peaks, and churning white water that

oset high desert plains and rolling agricultural

swaths. The reaches of Idaho, from its forests and

rivers to its skies, unconditionally oer access to

a personal and undisturbed outdoors alongside

glimpses of the roots of American history. What

may surprise visitors here for the natural beauty

is the resourceful and imaginative spirit bubbling

in small towns and cities that dot the state.

An authentic Idaho trip leaves room to roam;

an exceptional one leaves dirt under the nails.

FOOD & DRINK

)BASQUE CUISINE

Idaho is more diverse

than its reputation might

suggest. Boise is

particularly notable for

its Basque population,

the largest outside Spain.

Since beginning to settle

in Idaho in the early

1800s, they have

flavoured downtown

Boise’s so-called Basque

Block with paella, lamb

grinders, chorizo and

croquetas (a delicious

fried treat). If you miss the

annual Jaialdi (a cultural

festival), make time to

sample the regional

specialities on oer here

year round. Idaho’s

unique Basque cuisine

has evolved to merge

traditional Basque

flavours with American

produce such as lamb.

)FINGER STEAKS AND

FRY SAUCE Strips of

sirloin breaded and

deep-fried, finger steaks

are a tradition in Idaho

with good reason. Juicy

inside, crispy outside,

these tasty morsels

usually come in a basket

with hand-cut fries and

fry sauce, a variant

concoction of condiment

ingredients, à la Idaho.

Greasy-spoon joints

like Trestle Brewing

Company in Ferdinand

and Boise’s Westside

Drive-In do them best.

)POTATOES Yes, there

is an Idaho Potato

Museum. Yes, Idaho

potatoes are an

exceptionally delicious

and abundant crop.

You’ve probably had

one; 13 billion pounds

are harvested yearly.

Whether you’re sampling

the top-tier french fries

at Boise Fry Company

(customisable by potato

type) or trying an

unconventional ice

cream potato (don’t

worry, it only looks like a

spud), the humble potato

is indelibly and proudly

linked to Idaho.

NATURAL ESCAPES

)CRATERS OF THE

MOON NATIONAL

MONUMENT &

PRESERVE This is a

strange and ever-so-

slightly-shiing

landscape of hardened

volcanic lava flow

ROADTRIPITINERARY
Day 1 ExploretheBoiseRiver
Greenbelt, connectingpedestrians
to culturalsitesthroughthecity:art,
history,parks,zooandgardens.
DineontheBasqueBlock.
Day 2 Fromdesertto mountain,take
thewindingtwo-lanePayetteRiver
ScenicBywaytoMcCall. Raor
kayakalongthePayetteRiveror
manoeuvreflatwateronCascade
orPayetteLake. In McCall,hike
PonderosaStatePark.
Day 3 UnplugontheWildlife
CanyonScenicBywaytoStanley,
whichservesruggedpeaks,crystalline
lakesandwoodedmeadows.Don’t
forgetto stargazethebrilliant
nightscapeof theCentralIdaho
DarkSkyReserve.
Day 4 PastGalenaSummit,Sun
Valleyoersoutdooropportunities
witha distinctlydecadentflavour.
Interspersea morningbikerideor
fly-fishingwithvisitsto boutiquesand
artgalleries.Chairlito thetopof
Baldyandcatchaernoonraysover
theWoodRiverValley. Swinginto
nightwithlivemusicatSunValley
Paviliono rWhiskeyJacques’.