Idaho Vacation: Murphy Outpost Days

Here is a great suggestion for an Idaho vacation that is close to southwest Idaho population centers and a really fun experience.  Murphy Outpost Days, June 3-5, 2011 is a celebration of western heritage in Idaho's oldest county.  Outpost days are held in Murphy, the county seat of Owyhee County. 



Antique cars at Murphy Outpost
Days 2010



The outpost days venue is adjacent to the Owyhee County Historical Museum and residents of this sparsely populated county go all out to celebrate.  Visitors are definitely welcome! 



4-H Youth moving the herd to the
corrals, Murphy Outpost Days, 2010



The colorful weekend starts at 7:00pm Friday June 3 with an evening of entertainment by Cowboy Poet Art Honey.  Admission is just $10. 






Panning for gold, Murphy Outpost
 Days, 2010



Saturday events officially get under  way at 10:00am with food & craft vendors, antique car show, lost art demonstrations in the museum, and events such as gold panning, fast draw contests, and other activities to keep you moving and entertained.  Live music is provided throughout the day.  For me the highlight of Saturday comes at noon when a small herd of longhorn cattle arrive at the corrals, herded by local 4-H'ers and their leaders.  More on this later.  Be sure to enter the raffle for a quilt and for a rifle.  A live auction begins about 3:00pm.  Face painting and kids activities help keep everyone involved.



4-H Youth moving Longhorn cattle to the corrals, Murphy
Outpost Days, 2010



Back to the cattle drive.  After the cattle are penned, the 4-H youth put on a demonstration of cattle handling without use of modern chutes.  They are guided by leaders to separate calves from the mother cows (not an easy task), then the calves are roped and heeled and paint branded.  I was extremely intrigued by watching this activity. 



4-H Youth working calves, Murphy Outpost Days, 2010

 The leaders had great patience as they taught the "next generation" how to properly work cattle.  The skills and patience of both leaders and youth give me great confidence in the future.  I doubt that any of these youth will ever be found on the pages of police reports.

Sunday events also begin at 10:00am and run until about 4:00pm when the World Championship Horny Toad Race take the spotlight. 



Spinning wheel demonstration,
Murphy Outpost Days, 2010

 The Owyhee County Museum needs to be visited during this weekend.  It is full of local historical displays as well as having large exhibits of western memorabilia such as a huge collection of bridle bits, types of barbed wire, etc.  Antique agricultural, mining, and railroad machinery is also on exhibit along with an old schoolhouse.

For more information call the museum at 208-495-2319 or visit their website at:
 http://owyheemuseum.org/default.asp?pageName=Events



Part of the kids activities, Murphy Outpost Days, 2010



Due to the diversity and type of activities, this event is one of the more interesting festivals celebrating the western way of life and the settling of southwest Idaho.  It is a super Idaho vacation and a great thing to do.

Murphy is located about midway between Marsing and Grandview on highway 78 on the south side of the Snake River.  It is best approached by going south of Mountain Home to Grandview and highway 78 or by going south of Nampa, cross the Snake River and to highway 78.  From Nampa, it takes about 40 minutes to reach Murphy. 

If you want to add other activities to this trip, a visit to Cleo's Ferry Museum is on the route just north of the Snake River crossing as you head to Nampa.  More information on this eclectic museum is found here.  If traveling from Meridian, Kuna, or Boise your route of travel can also take you on the Western Heritage Historical Byway.  These byways are described here and here.  Both of these byways take you through the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey Conservation Area described here.