Idaho

Understand

Idaho's nickname is "The Gem State," although the motto on the state's license plates reads "Famous Potatoes." Unfortunately, as a result, people imagine the state as a vast expanse of potato farms, with grizzled inhabitants living in cabins with no running water. In reality, Idaho is increasingly becoming a mix of both city and rural life. Some Idahoans do live in cabins in the middle of nowhere, but others live in urbane condominiums in downtown Boise. Indeed, Boise is now the largest metropolitan area in the Rocky Mountains region of the US outside of Colorado. Most of the other major cities in Idaho have also experienced significant growth over the past 20 years.

Idaho is typical of several other western states, e.g., Oregon, Washington, and California, in that there are really two types of travel destinations in one state. The northern part of Idaho is characterized by mountains, lakes, forests and rivers. While the southern half has some spectacular mountains (the Owyhees and parts of the Tetons), it is mostly high-plains desert similar to the Inland Empire of southern California. Most of the world-famous Idaho potatoes are grown in Eastern Idaho. Onions are an important cash crop in southwestern Idaho near the Oregon border, while sugar beets are prevalent in the Twin Falls area. As many crops are irrigated in the otherwise arid Snake River Plain, water is an extremely important and potentially explosive political issue in Idaho. North Idaho farming is characterized by dry land wheat, barley, and legume crops. Logging is also a big part of the North Idaho economy, although not as much as in the past. A favorite bumper sticker in north Idaho is "If You Don't Like Logging, Try Using Plastic Bags For Toilet Paper." Similar to Washington and Oregon, there is a great disparity in the population of each half of the state. North Idaho is significantly less populated than the southern half. Idaho is second only to Utah in the number of members of The Church of J

Getting there

By plane

There are no direct international flights into or out of anywhere in Idaho. If you're coming in from overseas, rest assured you'll go through United States customs before boarding a flight to an Idaho location. By far the largest airport in the state, Boise Airport (BOI IATA) is the main airport in southern Idaho. Flights to and from Boise are available from most major cities in the western United States, as well as Minneapolis and Chicago. Boise Airport also offers a good selection of charter flight services. North Idaho is primarily served by Spokane International Airport (GEG IATA), in eastern Washington approximately 20 miles (32 km) from the Idaho border. The non-stop schedule to and from Spokane is similar to Boise. For the far northeast panhandle (via US Hwy 2), Glacier Park International Airport (FCA IATA) near Kalispell, Montana is another option. However, it has far fewer flights than Spokane, and in most cases, the distance is slightly further. Despite the name, there are no scheduled international flights to either Spokane or Kalispell. Other Idaho airports include Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA IATA) in eastern Idaho, and the seasonal, tourist-based Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN IATA) near Sun Valley. Idaho Falls is a good flight destination for nearby Yellowstone National Park. Smaller airports, such as in Lewiston (LWS IATA), Twin Falls (TWF IATA) and Pocatello (PIH IATA) offer only a limited commercial flight schedule. In the case of the latter two, the only commercial flights available are to and from Salt Lake City. Airlines serving Boise include Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Alaska Airlines/Horizon, Southwest, and United. Spokane is served by the same carriers. SkyWest Airlines serves Boise and/or several Idaho cities from its Salt Lake City and Seattle hubs for Delta Connection; for United Express from its hubs in San Francisco, Denver and/or Los Angeles and for some of the Alaska Airlines for flights from Portland and S

Getting around

Apart from modest public transportation systems in the major cities, Idaho has no mass transit to speak of. The only Amtrak stop in the state is in Sandpoint in the far northern panhandle. Otherwise it's all driving or flying.

By car Idaho is served by several Interstate highways. I-90 in North Idaho passes through Coeur d'Alene. I-84 enters Idaho at the Oregon border, serves the Boise metro area and passes near Twin Falls en route to Salt Lake City. I-15 serves the Eastern Idaho cities of Pocatello and Idaho Falls. The short I-86 in South Central and Eastern Idaho connects I-84 and I-15. Most other main roads in the state are two-lane highways. In more remote locations unpaved roads are commonplace. Pay close attention to current road conditions while traveling, particularly in winter. You know you're from Idaho when your elderly grandparents think it's normal to arrive at Christmas (or even just for a weekend visit) after driving 400 miles through blizzards and along winding two lane river roads. Crossing into Montana often involves going through mountain passes. This is particularly true when not on I-90 or I-15. In the winter, check with the highway department for pass conditions -- many passes are closed from the first snow until mid-April. The two-lane US 95 and Idaho State Highway 55 serve as the only intrastate connections between North Idaho and the rest of the state. Even in ideal weather conditions, traveling by car from North Idaho to Eastern Idaho invariably involves a drive through Boise or through Missoula, Montana. Either way, you'll drive 600 - 700 miles when it's something like 300 miles as the crow flies.

By plane Flying is an expensive but wonderful way to get around and see the majestic scenery. Although many of the state's smaller airports have no commercial flights at all, while others (such as Twin Falls) don't have regular flights to other parts of the state, backcountry flights are available from many locations, and you get to fly

See

North Idaho There are many bald eagles in North Idaho. A good place to see them is Lake Coeur d'Alene. Take I-90 East and exit at the Harrison exit. Lake Coeur d'Alene is 25 miles long with more than 135 miles of shoreline. The lake is an average of 120 feet deep. Coeur d'Alene (pop. 38,388 in 2004 census) has become known as the playground of the Pacific Northwest for luxury accommodations and a wealth of recreation and attractions in a stunning natural setting. The lavish Coeur d'Alene Resort draws thousands annually to be prepared by its Mobile four-star accommodations and to play its posh golf course. Finished in 1853, The Cataldo Mission, east of Coeur d'Alene on I-90 is the oldest standing building in Idaho. The Old Mission (built 1848-1853) was a combined effort of the missionaries and over 300 native Catholics. Silver Mountain Ski and Summer Resort, 30 miles east of Coeur d'Alene, is home to the world's longest single-stage gondola. Enjoy a scenic ride and take in th