My morning in Boise, Idaho

I had a VA appointment today in Boise so between doctor visits I decided to spend a little while in the Julia Davis park. Its next to downtown and is easily reached by way of West Myrtle street or South Capitol Boulevard. Its a fairly big park and the other one of like size is Ann Morrison park to the west. Its a good place to watch the wildlife and the not so wild life. Boise State University is next door and lots and lots of pretty girls use the park for running, walking and bicycling. Beautiful scenery ;-)!! There is a very well kept rose garden at the north end. Also nearby in the park are several old houses of historic interest and a Lewis & Clark exhibit. The art museum, Idaho Black History museum, Idaho History museum and zoo are part of the park. I took a lot of photos to share. Enjoy!!

Basalt columns

Basalt columns

Basalt columns-this stone makes up the southwestern part of Idaho and it can be used to make tools. Its a very tough rock!

Catalpa flower

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This picture and the following are of the Rose Garden

Honest Abe without his silver vampire axe.

Idaho Black History museum

Part of the Lewis & Clark exhibit.

Logan House

Adelmann house

Logan house

Coston log cabin

State of Idaho Historical Museum

Julia Davis statue

Julia Davis statue

This and the rest are from the Lewis & Clark exhibit. Coincidentally, I have just begun to read Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose, a book about the expedition. I highly recommend it if you are a Lewis & Clark fan.

This plaque helps explain the basalt columns a little. The rock at the bottom is vesicular (bubbly) basalt. Top is sandstone and middle is quartzite.

And last but not least a photo of a Common Merganser on the Boise river which is the southern boundary of the park.

Another shot of Mr. Merganser.

The volcanic west

Volcanic rock formations at Jump creek, Idaho

I noticed how much the whole region of southeastern Oregon, northeast Nevada, and southwest Idaho have the same topography and geology. Its all volcanic. This region is famous for quite a few gemstone localities such as Succor creek geodes and thunder eggs, Bruneau jasper, and several other well known localities. The country rock is mostly basalt grading into rhyolite and other volcanic's. It is believed that the rock that forms the Treasure valley where Caldwell, Nampa and Boise are situated formed under an inland sea. The geologists have found formations similar to those found under the Pacific ocean. In my wanderings I have found a few rocks that would perform admirably as tools. There is a dense form of basalt, no bubbles as is typical, that knapp's out just fine. I'm sure there are some local artifacts made from the same stuff. Of course, where there is any kind of volcanic rock there is bound to be some silica minerals (quartz mainly) that form in the vesicles (bubbles). This would be premier knapping material. I saw a collection that has several local pieces that are made from quartz family rock and even some obsidian. I don't know where the closest obsidian outcrop is but it was considered primo stuff and was carried very far to trade and work. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open and report and new finds or discoveries. I hope to find some good knapping material. Mine is all gone. Take care everyone!!

I love Idaho!!

Yours truly after a great hike to the top of Jump Creek in the Owyhee mountains. The Oregon border is 2 miles to the west.

I love Idaho! Its been one good time after another. I got my concealed permit and I can buy any kind of firearm I choose! The local economy is going strong. I have been taking a lot of pictures lately. Here are a few to wet your appetite.

Look at all those AR's!!! Sportsmans Warehouse in Nampa.

One of my local haunts-5 walking minutes from home.

One of the ponds at Wilson Springs.

This area is rich in wildlife and plenty of  cattails.

Ducks and geese everywhere! I don't know if this is a major flyway but I have never seen so many birds of different species.

More wetland-two varieties of cattail grow here side by side.

Red wing blackbird-these guys are everywhere! I love to mimic their call-they get all antsy and start flying at me thinking I am the "competition".

Bullocks Oriole-male in breeding plumage according to my Nat. Geo. Birds of NA, 4th ed..

One of the many ponds-bass and trout are plentiful.

This is the canyon at Jump Creek.The trail is straight up and I took this at the top.

Jump Creek Canyon-its all volcanic rock like most of southwest Idaho and the adjoining states of Nevada and Oregon. Lots of interesting minerals to be found in the surrounding hills!

Top of Jump Creek looking east-Boise mountains in the distance and the Sawtooth range barely visible behind them

Gooseberry Globemallow, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia. The "gooseberry" is alluding to the similar shaped leaves.

Looking up the creek at the bottom of the canyon-lots of alder trees and several useful plants like teasel, elderberry and mullien. I saw the tallest poison ivy plants I have ever seen here! And plenty of them! It makes me want to scratch just thinking about them!

This is a creek flowing past my house. Its loaded with good size trout. Lots of ducks and I saw a few muskrat.