3 minute read
Editor's Letter
Dear Readers,
When I was a child, I watched "Unsolved Mysteries" religiously. At first, it was because it was in the lineup of shows my elderly babysitter enjoyed on the evenings my sisters and I spent with her. Before long, I was a diehard fan. My favorites were the plots with an element of the paranormal—the truly unexplainable. Anybody could comprehend a murder, but a poltergeist in a comedy venue? Sign me up.
Imagine my delight when I read that a white bison had been born in Yellowstone National Park in early June. (Corresponding with "Unsolved Mysteries" Season 8, Episode 7.) This calf’s birth is rare, widely celebrated in Native American communities who view it as sacred, and amongst others who simply appreciate the calf’s uniqueness. But, and here’s the catch—it hasn’t been seen since.
Of course, this is easily explainable if you lack imagination. A host of predators call the park home. There’s difficult terrain to contend with too, and miles of off-road acreage in which a white bison could simply disappear. Perhaps it just doesn’t want to be seen.
I’m heading to Yellowstone a week after writing this with just one item on my bucket list: find the white bison calf. In a summer full of adventure, I remain optimistic that I can do it—albeit from familyfriendly hiking trails and also, the comfort of my vehicle.
This optimism is the most crucial part of any summer bucket list, a concept we’re thoroughly immersing ourselves in for this issue of IdaHome. Go on the road with a Caldwell bull rider, who talks about his love for the sport that can kill you. Jump in the car and hit a few state parks within driving distance of Boise, head up north to explore some of the state’s best hot springs, drive in a Wandervan with our publisher, or travel to nearby Silver City, a historic town that was once a robust community of miners.
We’ve got a great story about Sisters on the Fly, an organization of women seeking freedom through travel, adventure, and friendship. For all the thrill seekers, read about some Idaho ziplines providing non-stop exhilaration all summer long. Looking for something truly wild? Did you know Idaho has baby kangaroos? Babby Farms raises them by hand, waking for nighttime feedings and carrying them in the same slings we moms use for our babies.
If you’re feeling indoorsy, plan to attend the Alturas Institute’s “Conversations with Exceptional Women,” this August, exploring democracy and women’s rights. This excellent feature offers a peek into the wealth of wisdom offered by participating, powerhouse female trailblazers.
You can also check out a different kind of book club that circumvents the trickier parts of more conventional clubs. Readers choose their own book, gather together to sit in silence and read—a gold star adventure for any introvert.
Finally, Constitutional Conversations looks at the Constitution as a bucket list with a timely discussion of this document as a blueprint for our country and goals we must always strive for.
Onward to adventure!
