...even when it's no longer 'a thing'.
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by PAM
I've just been watching this TV movie where a 'city girl' - a 'senseless one', if I may say so, was 'thrown' in the wilderness by a job-related project. She was thrown-in in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of outdoorsy people who, like her, were competing for a contract with an app developer who organized the 'wilderness throw-in'. She was doing so badly... and it's annoying how she was always insanely hysterical at every turn in the wilderness, which, by the way, was so breathtakingly beautiful. There was a good-looking guy in the bunch... and, predictably, he took notice of Ms. Hysterical. And, predictably, she was annoyed at first by his guts and confidence... but eventually, his charm and consistent good nature won her over. Not that I am not complaining... because I am. Uhm, yes, that's right, I am complaining! She doesn't deserve him! Uh, yeah, I know... it's just a TV movie!
But what's my point? I do have a point, see. 😅 In one of those scenes where the story belabored the point of how the 'opposites', Ms. Hysterical and Mr. Cool Outdoorsy, slowly fell for each other, they were crossing a gorge through a hanging bridge. Mr. CO was guiding Ms. H (whose eyes were shut close... what do you expect? 🙄) along the bridge. And then, he paused in the middle of the bridge to admire the beautiful view. Ms. H opened her eyes, and gasped... taken by the beautiful view, too. But, of course, she had to ruin the moment by her 'hysterically impressed' reaction. 🙄
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| A little part of the Boise River viewed from the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge at the Boise State University campus. |
I know, you must be asking - again, "so, what's your point?" Hang on, 'cause I'm not here just to bash Ms. H. I do have a point. Hmm... actually, I have a related story to tell. Back in AY 2021-2022, I was in a Humphrey Fellowship at Pennsylvania State University ('Penn State'). While in the Fellowship, I had a great opportunity to travel around the US again. I chose to go to some of the places that I haven't been before, and joined events that I have not experienced before... and I loved it! One of my favorites is my prolonged stay in Boise, ID. I did a part of my Fellowship there, specifically in Boise State University (BSU), where one of my sisters used to work. I loved it there! It's the closest thing to a real 'happy marriage' between the preserved beauty of nature and urban living. My sister's home, where I stayed, in the four trips that I took to Boise while in the Humphrey Fellowship (twice on vacation with my sister and her husband, and twice on official Humphrey Fellowship business) is located just several hundreds of footsteps from the BSU campus. In the opposite direction from the campus, several hundred steps away, is downtown Boise. There are several parks and points of interest in between... and that was why I loved walking to and from the campus... and taking a walk downtown during lunch breaks or before walking home.
"Boise is located in the Treasure Valley, along the Boise River.
The word 'boise' is French for 'wooded', and the name likely originates from
French Canadian travelers who named the area Boise because it was a rare
wooded valley in the context of high desert area."
One of my favorite walking trails from the campus, specifically, from the library, to downtown and back is through the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge across the Boise River. There was a long walking trail along the Boise River - the "Boise River Greenbelt", which ran from one region of the Boise City to another. It is a famous walking, running and biking trail for the locals, including my brother-in-law who is an avid 'walker'. The first time I walked along the Greenbelt and crossed the River towards downtown using the Bridge, it was between Fall and Winter time: Thanksgiving Break. And, I was so astounded by the view of the mountains where the river seemed to appear magically, and then disappear again in the opposite direction. I frequented the trail and crossed the river through the Friendship Bridge, and the view took my breath away each time! Mr. CO's reaction in the TV movie reminded me of my own reaction everytime I crossed the Friendship Bridge. I took a few dozen photos and videos as well, especially when I was able to catch the sunset.
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| In downtown Boise, the Capitol Blvd. where the Capitol is found at its end, viewed from the Boise Depot on the hill. |
When I returned to Boise for Christmas break, I was lucky enough to experience a beautiful white Christmas. One of the highlights of my vacation was a sunset walk along the Greenbelt, crossing the river towards downtown together with my sister. And, when I returned in springtime, I got curious, and the Bridge was the first that I visited as soon as I reached Boise... after eating lunch with my sister and brother-in-law, that is. The view at the river, the surrounding lines of trees so green, and the mountains, was just breathtaking! But what is most fascinating was that such sceneries can be found right smack in the middle of the City, and they bind the BSU campus with downtown Boise and the residential areas that were made so pretty by a huge variety of flowers. I enjoyed that very much... along with all those friendly people in Boise that I had the great pleasure to meet, and some became friends.
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| My 'I was there' photo, taken at the Boise Depot by my sister. |
My longest stay in Boise was for five weeks, and it was towards the end of spring and halfway through summer. Naturally, I went crazy! Boise was so beautiful then... and the whole Boise was a-buzz with summer activities. There are days when the City was quiet as most people would spend a long weekend, camping in the woods located in the outskirts of the City, or up the mountains. I do think that it's a fascinating lifestyle, observing environmental sustainability and benefiting from it, too... and I loved it! I wish to be back... and I hope that, next time, it will be for a longer period.
Did I make 'my point'? Hmmm... I guess, not yet, huh? Well, stay tuned then... more to follow!
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Video credit: The owner of the video is indicated in the video credits. Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
Image credit: All photos belong to me - I took them unless otherwise indicated.
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