It's Official...Sun Valley Idaho has become the annual 4th of July destination for me and a few of my friends.  This was my second year visiting the "Spud" State, and If the fates allow, we'll be back again in 2013.  I Can't wait! "The Hike" this year...(yes, always a hike...and this one involved off road driving and river crossing just to get to the trail head)...took us to Kane Lake in the Sawtooth National Forest.  Elevation: 9,222 ft.  It's quite a climb, but the end result was worth the sweat.  Mind you, we didn't start at sea level, but you get the picture.    ;-)   07/12/2012

I know, I know.  You'd think I was secretly working for the Idaho Tourism Bureau.  To be on point, this is a more sentimental version of my recent visit to the spud State.  Note to Jane Peters: I promise you won't get car-sick watching this one!      Have a great mid-July weekend everyone! 07/16/2011

I'm back. ...From Idaho, that is.  I wanted to say it was my first visit to the "spud" State, but then my folks reminded me that we drove through Boise back in the mid 70's while touring the Western States on a family vacation.  Hmmm...don't seem to remember that part.  Although, I DO remember my mother dying to get back home so we could dump off the 40 foot motor home we rented for that trip.  That was about as close to "camping" as our family ever got.  Let me put it this way: if my folks were living  during the mid 1800's and a plan was made to migrate west, my mother would have waited for the transcontinental railroad to be up and running before stepping out the door.  But I digress... I met up with Tracey and Jeff who now live in Hailey, ID. (near Sun Valley).  During my stay, I co... 07/08/2011

Information gathered from the Idaho energy audits in Hailey, Blaine County, Idaho will be used to determine energy efficiency, retrofitting and weatherization projects using funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG). Retrofitting projects will include air infiltration, energy efficient windows and doors, insulation levels, weather-stripping and caulking, and electric base loads.   Using its EECBG formula funding to retrofit and improve the energy efficiency of a number of it's municipal buildings that will result in substantial reduction in energy usage. EECBG Formula grants can be used for energy efficiency and conservation programs and projects community wide, as well as renewable energy installations on local municipal buildings, city facilities, local ci... 04/05/2010