Summer in Idaho: Sawtooth Wilderness Spotlight

  Photo Credit: Pxfuel.com Summer is here, bringing with it those long sunny days. There is no better time to get outside and explore the nature Idaho has to offer, and there is no better place to do it than the Sawtooth Wilderness. The Sawtooths are a mountain range in Central Idaho and are legendary for rugged, sharp peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, and spectacular vistas. Start planning your Sawtooth trip this summer using this guide! Redfish Lake: Redfish Lake is a stunning alpine lake that sits right outside of Stanley, Idaho. It has been a popular destination to relax and unwind since the 1800s, and was inhabited by the Sheepeaters tribe much earlier than that. Redfish gets its name from the bright red Sockeye Salmon which swim upstream to spawn at the lake each summer. It is said that back before dams and overfishing reduced the Sockeye numbers dramatically, there used to be so many spawning fish returning to Redfish that you could walk on their backs across the lake. Nowadays, visitors flock to enjoy the camping, hiking, boating, and fishing that surround this remarkable lake. Whether it be a day trip or a weekend getaway, Redfish Lake is a staple of the Sawtooths and a must-see! Photo Credit: Unsplash Hiking: Hiking in the Sawtooths can include some serious elevation gain, but the views at the top make the trek very rewarding. Since the sheer number of trails can seem overwhelming, here are our top 3 choices that are worth the effort: Goat Lake:  This trail is an ~8 mile out-and-back hike that leads to a breathtaking alpine lake surrounded by impressive mountains. This trail is challenging with a lot of elevation gain, but jumping in the cold lake at the top helps to refresh and cool off for the hike down. Fishhook Creek Trail: A family-friendly option, this 5 mile out-and-back trail has minimal elevation gain and ends up with views of the Sawtooth mountains sprawl beyond a gorgeous meadow. Bench Lakes: A nice intermediate-advanced option is the Bench Lakes trail, which starts near Redfish Lake and goes 8 miles out and back to five different alpine lakes. From the tranquil lakes, you can see craggy peaks of the Sawtooths and even spend the night in one of the countless campgrounds at the 5 Bench lakes. Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller Camping: The Sawtooths are a part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky reserve and once the sun sets on the sharp peaks and vast wilderness of this mountain range, the real show begins. When it comes to camping in the Sawtooths, there are two main options: campgrounds and dispersed camping. Campgrounds will typically have much more amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, and trash; reservations are recommended and can be tricky to secure. Dispersed camping is camping anywhere in the Sawtooth National Forest outside of designated campgrounds, meaning you could sleep right next to alpine lake and under the tall peaks of the Sawtooths. This is very popular among backpackers and although it can require more gear, it is useful in splitting long hikes into multi-day trips. Remember when camping to Leave No Trace, and pack out or throw away everything you bring in. Whether you're driving up to a campsite for a night or backpacking into an alpine lake, camping is an amazing way to experience the Sawtooths both at day and night!  Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller Wildlife:  The Sawtooths are home to countless species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects and it is almost impossible to enter this National Forest without seeing wildlife. At lower elevations, you might see elk and mule deer, coyotes, snowshoe hares, chipmunks, pine martens, and even the rare black bear. At high elevations, you may be able to spot a mountain goat or a bighorn sheep, which are more common than you would think. Birds you might see include golden and bald eagles, a variety of sparrows, meadowlarks, and red winged blackbirds among many others. Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller        

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6 Events in Boise and Beyond - July 21st - 23rd

Credit: www.cityofboise.org 6 Events in Boise & Beyond 1. Yoga on the Mountain Where: 1754 Bogus Basin Road When: Saturday & Sunday Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am EVENT DETAILS HERE   2. Stampede Western Fest Where:  Ford Idaho Center When: Friday & Saturday Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   3. Board Games & Brunch Where: Meriwether Cider Co. When: Sunday, July 23rd Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   4. Cookies & Cabernet Where: Boise Co-Op in the Village at Meridian When: Friday, July 21st Time: 5:30 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   5. July Afternoon Brew School Where: Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters When: Saturday, July 22nd Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   6. Movies Under the Stars Where: Julia Davis Bandshell When: Friday, July 21st Time: Movie starts at dusk EVENT DETAILS HERE

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Real Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Home Cool this Summer

There are dozens of ways to keep your home cool during the summer months, but there are some tried and true old-school methods that are more effective than others. This year is expected to be a hot one, and due to the surge of moves across the country, many homeowners are finding themselves in climates they aren’t familiar with, and maybe without air conditioning for the first time (what a nightmare).  So before you crank up that A/C and run up your utility bill, here are some solid ways to keep your home cool during the summer. Bring in the cool night air Photo Credit: Alistair Mcrobert   Opening up the windows to let in cooler night temperatures is an old method that has demonstrated itself as a consistently effective way to quickly cool down a home. The details change from region to region, so if you’re new to an area, take some time to check the nightly temperatures and install screens to keep bugs and other critters out. Take note of the amount of sunlight your home receives and when. Make it a habit to check where and when sunlight hits your home in the morning, afternoon, and evening. After a night of pulling cool air into the house, close the windows and curtains/blinds on the sunny side of the house once the sun comes up. The shade side can still bring in residual cool air until noon when you’ll need to close those up as well. Though tedious, this method has shown to extend cooler internal home temperatures further into the day.   Create a cross-breeze and use fans   Every home is a little different, but one of the most effective ways to maintain a cooler temperature is to keep the air moving. Early mornings and late evenings are best, but occasionally breezy/cloudy days are optimal too. This method works best by letting nature do most of the work, but pairing it with ceiling fans, box fans, and even table-top fans makes a huge difference. Pro tip: If you have ceiling fans, always set them to spin counterclockwise during the summer, to push cool air down. Then set it to spin clockwise during the winter to move warm air up. Make sure your home’s insulation is sufficient Insulation not only keeps your home warm during the colder months, but it also keeps it cool during the warmer months. The goal of proper insulation is to maintain the internal temperature of the home no matter how warm or cold it is outside. This is strongly determined by the region your home is located in. Find your state’s insulation codes and standards in this handy guide here.   Curtains, cellular shades, shutters, and more Image Source: Deconovo   Windows are a heavy source of heat and there are a few different options available. Here are some thoughts on each: Curtains are a common and attractive option. High-quality blackout curtains with high UV energy ratings are best. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), “studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%.” Plantation shutters are an option that is both attractive and practical, plus they add to the overall value of the home. Roller and Roman shades are a less expensive option, but are better for blocking out sunlight and offer less insulation against heat. Blinds and cellular shades and their effectiveness against heat are strongly determined by the size of the window and the quality of the material. Work with your local blind consultant for best results. Window Films are an option best for homeowners who are seeking to lower heat gains without disrupting the view. These are best installed by a professional and require extra care. Awnings are most effective for west-facing homes. Studies done by the DOE found that window awnings can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows, and 77% on west-facing windows.   Plant greenery around your home   Studies show that planting trees and shrubbery around your home can reduce energy costs as much as up to 50%. This is especially true when there is an established tree canopy, but even recently planted trees and shrubbery can help provide a substantial amount of protection from the heat by absorbing sunlight and providing shade for the home’s foundation.   Upgrade to energy-efficient windows According to the DOE, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. If you’re looking for a sound investment, energy-efficient windows are a huge plus. Although they tend to come with a heavy price tag, these types of windows not only help maintain your home’s temperature, but they add to its overall value.

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