This Girl Travels

To Explore, Inform & Inspire!

  • Travel
    • Family Travel
    • Hotels
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Girlfriend Getaways
    • Adventure
    • Theme Parks
  • Destinations
    • USA
    • Disney
    • Caribbean
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia
  • Cruises
  • Weddings/Honeymoons
    • Destination Weddings
    • Honeymoons
  • Product Reviews
    • Car Reviews
    • Travel Gear
    • Travel Apparel
  • Blog
  • 100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • About Karon
    • Contributing Writers
  • Media Kit

Idaho Adventure

By Samantha

If adventure is calling your name, consider answering it in Idaho. Not only is the area beautiful, and full of some of the most amazing nature, fishing, camping, and outdoor activities you can imagine, but the people are unmatched in friendliness and hospitality.

When I landed in Boise, I actually had “culture shock” if that’s possible.  Flying in from a city voted “America’s Unfriendliest”- yes, that’s a thing, and yes, that’s where we live- we landed in a place where people were so nice I wondered what they were up to.  For almost a full day, I was “watching my back” as people asked how I was, then waited for the answer.  Said excuse me if they bumped into me, moved out of the way if we were about to walk into each other, smiled, waved- you know, acted nicely?  What was THAT all about?

Well, as soon as I got used to “that” kind of crazy behavior, I found myself smiling for no reason at all, talking to strangers about nothing in particular.  My son asked me “what was wrong with me”.  I had been infected by Idaho…

In Horseshoe Bend, on our way out to a rafting trip, I met a couple from San Francisco who had recently moved to the area.  We were chatting about how laid back it was in Idaho, and I mentioned how silly I was to act like people were up to no good because they were being nice- and then their eyes got wide, they shook their heads knowingly, and said “YES! Then you feel like a jerk for not trusting people for acting politely!” and we laughed, because it was true.  Us strange city people.

Kayak Center

Not only were we mentally relaxed thanks to the good people of the state, but the beautiful surroundings didn’t hurt.  The majestic views on pretty much all sides of  HorseShoe Bend (about halfway between Boise and McCall) were startling- pristine, wide open, and worth the trek out.  Being centrally located between two must-see tourist stops for the states didn’t hurt, either. As we pulled up to the Cascade Raft and Kayak center, where we would be taking our tour from, there were few other buildings around, but there was plenty to see and do.

Idaho River

We “geared up”- bathing suits and shorts on, water shoes (provided if you don’t have any), life vests, and paddles completed our outfits.  We loaded up on buses and headed out onto the river, which was a three hour, two and three class rapid river adventure suitable for most ages. Not only was there plenty of fun rapids to navigate (with the help of your tour guide, one per boat) but there was also plenty of time for just floating, or jumping out of the raft and swimming if you would like to.  (There are full day options available, as well as class four and five rapids for adults or more experienced rafters).  My 7 year old son and I had an amazing time, and we plan to go again the next time that we are in the area.

Cascade Raft and Kayak

Photo Credit: Cascade Raft and Kayak

You can bring a waterproof camera (which I recommend) and also purchase photos of your trip when you get back to the center.  A professional photographer is on hand to capture the moments that you will want to cherish forever, and you will want to remember this trip.

Disclosure: I received press passes in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

Share this Post!

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share on Pinterest Feed

Filed Under: Adventure, USA, Weekend Getaways Tagged With: Boise, Cascade Raft and Kayak Center, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho Adventure, Paula Schmitt, Samantha Feuss, This Girl Travels, Travel

About Samantha

A travel and parenting expert, writer, and teacher, Samantha has dedicated her life to children and education. She feels that travel and culture should play an important part in a child’s development and exposure to their environment. Her columns usually focus on the best things to do as a family and with children in the featured destination. When she is not traveling with her family, she is at home in NJ with her husband and son.

Samantha is a columnist and freelance writer who has been featured on websites, magazines, and newspapers, as well as weekly radio show co-host. You can connect with Samantha on her blog, Have Sippy Will Travel, and on social media via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Comments

  1. Aimee Giese | Greeblehaus says

    October 28, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    I honestly had not thought of Idaho for that sort of vacation. Thanks for sharing!

    • Paula says

      October 30, 2014 at 5:43 pm

      Aimee,

      YES! Idaho has it all! Something to definitely consider.

Follow This Girl!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Post Archives

Join TGT & Don’t Miss a Thing!

Enter your email address to receive weekly updates from our blog.

We will never spam you or share your email address.

Twitter: thisgrltravels

  • Thankful to @ChereCoen for this fantastic profile of me & “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before Y… https://t.co/FB53W0lsxY 09:30:10 AM March 22, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • TODAY! Get 30% off “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die” by ordering direct from… https://t.co/Wsl3QbJSM0 01:48:45 PM March 14, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @karonwarren: Today is #ReadAcrossAmerica Day, making it a great time to order & read “100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains B… 05:08:04 PM March 02, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @CarnivalPR: Carnival Cruise Line Expands Popular Europe Offerings in 2024: https://t.co/ikvfO0QUOp https://t.co/cWRrSJ4UTF 03:16:20 PM March 02, 2023 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @CarnivalPR: Carnival Cruise Line Adding Fourth Ship to Galveston, Offering Longer Cruises With Carnival Miracle: https://t.co/ngVIml5ki… 03:15:20 PM March 02, 2023 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite
@thisgrltravels

This Girl Travels Copyright © 2023