Idaho Vacation: Scenic, Historic and Back Country Byways

Want to see beautiful scenery as you travel on your Idaho vacation?  Take just about any highway and you are never far from one of the 30 specially designated scenic, historic, or back country byways.  Some of the byways follow major highways and some are back country mostly gravel roads that take you to truly unique scenery and locations.

The byways range from a short 22 miles for the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway to 202 miles in length for the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway which parallels the route followed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition over 200 years ago.  Eighteen byways are designated as scenic byways, five as historic, five as back country, and one each as historic rivers passage and lost gold trails.  There are designated byways in every corner of the state. 

Seven of the byways also have the distinction of being named as "National" scenic byways or an "All America Road."  Two byways in the northern panhandle, are also part of the "International Selkirk Loop," a 280 mile long loop through Idaho, British Columbia, and Washington, encircling the Selkirk mountains.  A 64 page full color guide for this loop is available to download or delivery by mail at http://selkirkloop.org/.  The web site also gives an abundance of additional information to help plan trips along the loop.  It is a full blown trip and activity planning site.

Idaho has a glove box size booklet with detailed descriptions, maps, and attractions for each of the byways.  These booklets can be downloaded or ordered from http://www.idahobyways.gov/.  The 36 page booklet is very useful in trip planning as it provides estimated drive times. general roadway conditions, attractions, camping and services along the byway as well as contact information.  It also has links to other agencies with useful travel information.  In an earlier post, I highlighted and described a number of sources of "official" information sources for Idaho travel information. 

Information on America's National Scenic Byways is available at http://www.byways.org/, www.bywaysonline.org, and http://www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/.  Each of these sites has volumes of trip planning helps and have an abundance of information to make trips along these byways more enjoyable.  In addition to fantastic scenery, many byways also have historic features. 

A fun, educational, and great way to keep memories of these sites is by logging them to your personal travel logbooks or to post the sites visited on the web.  Several organizations make this possible including HMdb and Markeroni.  The Idaho Highway Historical Marker program is another great way to learn about the history of Idaho as you travel this great state. 

Whether you are just passing through Idaho (big mistake), or making Idaho a vacation destination, you are never far from a Scenic, Historic or Back Country Byway.  Slow down a bit and enjoy some of natures beauties, visit with helpful and sometimes colorful locals, and enjoy an Idaho vacation.  There is an abundance of great things to do and see in Idaho.
        

Idaho Vacation: More Ways to Become a Traveling Idaho Historian

In previous posts, we discussed involving the family in discovering and "collecting" Idaho history markers.  This is a great way to add another fun and educational dimension to your Idaho vacation.  This post introduces another organization that encourages public participation in identifying and submitting historical markers to its database. 

Markeroni describes itself as: "A friendly, informal and light-hearted online community where history fans, treasure hunters and travelers log their visits to historical markers and historic landmarks."  Markeroni operates in five countries in addition to the USA.  The creator is a transplanted Englishwoman currently living "half way up a mountain in California." 

 Markeroni describes their philosophy as follows: "We have fun with history while honoring its serious side, too. We celebrate those who preserve history and put up markers and plaques, and provide information about organizations so that you can get involved if you choose. We try to improve our Catalog so that it grows into a truly great public resource. We take history seriously, but try not to take ourselves too seriously."

Markeroni offers free access to most features of their web site and also offers, for a $10/year membership, additional benefits including challenges, games, streamlined posting of markers, and various levels of recognition for logging or collecting landmarks or markers.  They even have their own terminology - a marker is a snarf; searching for a marker is snarfing.  History does not have to be boring. Make it fun and educational for the whole family. 

Access markeroni here.  They currently boast over 800 members, some who have snarfed thousands of landmarks/markers.  Utilize their database to find landmarks in your home area, on your travel route, or at your destination.  Ffor example, their database shows 1,341 historical landmarks in the state of Idaho and California has over 8,000.

Log onto markeroni's site and give it a look.  I just found this a few days ago and have joined their group.  I look forward to snarfing and logging some snarfs.  Hope you have fun doing the same.  Let me know of your experience.

Idaho Vacation: Become a Historical Marker Collector via The Historical Marker Database

Are you a historical marker collector ? or history buff? You can do both when taking an Idaho vacation.  No, I won't encourage you to collect the actual hstorical markers.  But you can add interest to your trips and get the whole family involved by keeping a log of historical markers you visit.  What a great thing to do.

The Historical Marker Database or HMdb.org is one such organization that helps make it happen. 

According to their web site, "This website is an illustrated searchable online catalog of historical information viewed through the filter of roadside and other permanent outdoor markers, monuments, and plaques. It contains photographs, inscription transcriptions, marker locations, maps, additional information and commentary, and links to more information. Anyone can add new markers to the database and update existing marker pages with new photographs, links, information and commentary."

HMdb describes itself as an organization  of self-directed volunteers.  Site visitors are invited to sign in so they may add information to the database and "collect" or log sites visited.  Access their web site here. 

Markers in the database are organized by categories as well as by physical location.  Markers represent many countries around the world.  At present, there are 71 markers in the database from Idaho.  Markers are not limited to the highway signs described in the previous post titled " Idaho Vacation: Become an Instant History Buff."

HMdb depends on contributions from curious and helpful travelers like us to add entries to the database.  The format and criteria for adding entries is on their web site.   Markers must be outside and state historical facts beyond names, dates, and titles to be considered.

Add interest while on an Idaho vacation and enhance the experience by "collecting" historical markers.  Make it a family project by gathering the information to add new markers to the existing database at HMdb.org. 

Idaho Vacation: Become an Instant History Buff

Here is a great fun thing to do while on your Idaho vacation.  Look for one of more than 240 large historical highway markers. Idaho is chock full of history and the major sites are marked. 

Did you know Owyhee county was named for trappers from Hawaii?  Do you know that Lewiston was the first state capitol of Idaho?  Where did Butch Cassidy rob a bank in Idaho? - Montpelier.

The Idaho Historical Highway Marker Guide has the above answers and hundreds more in a compact travel guide.  The Idaho Historical Society has teamed up with the Idaho Department of Transportation to place highway markers at over 240 sites around the state.  The guide documents their locations.

Highway travel can be tough on kids if they are not involved in the trip.  Help them learn a bit of history and reduce figiting and boredom as they travel.  You will find new pleasure in traveling and be rewarded for the effort.

A cooperative effort started in 1956 to standardize, mark, and maintain an array of historical site markers that had been placed by numerous individuals and organizations. 

The Idaho Historical Society evaluates and proposes sites and prepares the information to be placed on the signs.  The Idaho Transportation Department is responsible for the site preparation, installation, and maintenance of the markers.  Each marker is located in turnouts, thus, avoiding having to park on the shoulder of the road.  Signs announcing the historical markers are placed approximately 1000 feet from the markers to allow for slowing and a safe turn out.

The markers are each 4 feet by 8 feet with heavy wood timbers surrounding the markers and providing support posts.  Each marker is also numbered for easier reference. 

The 164 page guide, currently in its 2nd revision, contains the text for each historical marker, marker locations, drawings and maps, and photos of Idaho as it used to be.  The guide measures 5 1/2 inches by 11 inches, includes information on 246 markers, and is spiral bound.  To order send a check

or money order for $5.00 per copy to: Idaho Transportation Department, Office of Communications, PO Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707.  The guide web site is here.

Many travelers like to record trip details.  Creating a log of Historical Highway Markers you visit can be a good way to "waymark" your Idaho travels. 

A number of organizations have websites with databases of historical markers.  The marker locations can be accessed within counties, states, or countries, or by the organization that sponsored the marker, depending on the organization.  Many of these encourage reporting historical sites for inclusion into their databases.  Some also have facilities for recording and reporting your visits to any historical marker.  Some of these organizations will be featured in upcoming posts.  Check back here for links.

Have fun and give purpose to your travels.  Learn a bit more about Idaho history on your Idaho vacation.  Make a log of places visited, report markers not currently in databases.  There are lots of things to do in Idaho.

Idaho Vacation: Visit a Fish Hatchery

Idaho has been described as a "Land of Opportunity" for sport fishing. This report focuses on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game operated hatcheries that raise many of the fish for the "catch". With nineteen hatcheries scattered across the state,they make an excellent things to do for your Idaho vacation.

Although operated by IDFG, many of the hatcheries are owned by other entities including Idaho Power Company. Twelve of the hatcheries raise fish that stay in fresh waters all their lives with the remaining hatcheries raising salmon and steelhead that spend part of their lives in the ocean. Licence fees fund the hatcheries that raise fresh water fish and Idaho Power Company and others fund the hatcheries that raise salmon and steelhead as mitigation for the construction of dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

All of the hatcheries welcome visitors. Facilities at each hatchery vary but many have areas for picnics and or camping and some have family or youth fishing waters on site or in the immediate vicinity. Some have viewing ponds where large fish representing several species are present, including Idaho's largest fish, the White Sturgeon. Depending on the land area at the hatchery, some also have hiking trails for bird and other wildlife viewing. Many hatcheries have educational exhibits and welcome larger groups with advance notice. All hatcheries are open year round but have different activities and fish available during various parts of the year.

An excellent web site provides great information for each hatchery. Go to fishandgame.idaho.gov/fish/hatcheries.  This lists the details for each hatchery with driving directions, hours, facilities and all else you need to know.  The main Fish and Game website is fishandgame.idaho.gov.  This site has information about all Fish and Game programs, seasons, regulations, etc. 

Whether or not you enjoy fishing, you are sure to enjoy a visit to an Idaho fish hatchery.  Children will especially appreciate a break from travel to watch the fish.  Enjoy this Idaho vacation.