Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall is around the corner and it's time to get your home in order for cooler weather. We've compiled a convenient list (and a printable version below) so you can start chipping away while the mild weather lasts.  It's important to keep an eye on and maintain these items in and around your home to extend its longevity and prevent costly repairs and potential loss (like ice dams on roofs). These items are not exclusive to home owners. Renters will benefit in keeping their utility bills lower during winter and avoid liability for any damages to the property under their lease. Check with your property manager and/or landlord on the renter's responsibilities of property maintenance.   EXTERIOR: Clear out gutters Inspect driveways & patios for cracks Caulk around windows and doors Install storm windows and doors Close attic and foundation vents Store or cover lawn furniture Winterize pools/water features Touch up paint   INTERIOR: Chimney sweep Change ceiling fan direction to clockwise Test smoke detectors Clean dryer vents Inspect and replace weather stripping around doors if needed   LANDSCAPE: Sprinkler blowout  Turn off landscape water Insulate spigots & store hoses Rake and bag leaves on lawn Aerate and fertilize lawn Plant hardy landscape (i.e. trees, spring flowering bulbs) Remove dirt from planted pots   Need referrals to local contractors to help with sprinkler blowouts, chimney sweeps, and more? Reach out to us for access to our preferred list.

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Best Places for Fall Foliage

Photo courtesy of Visit Idaho As summer gives way to crisp autumn air, Idaho landscapes slowly transform into breathtaking masterpieces of vibrant colors. From forests cut through by rivers to serene lakeshores, this list promises stunning vistas of fall foliage at both day trip and weekend trip distances from Boise!   Eagle Island State Park Located in Eagle, this state park has 545 acres of space around the Boise River. This park contains plenty of mature trees and native shrubs that boast stunning fall colors as temperatures change. Over 5 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback trails are available for park goers. There is also a disc golf course and a zipline course! Admission is $7 per car.  Photo courtesy of Visit Idaho   Three Island Crossing State Park (Glenns Ferry) An hour's drive from Boise sits this gorgeous and historic state park. Plenty of deciduous trees and shrubs are located here, making this trip worth the time for fall foliage. This site is where 19th-century Oregon trail pioneers crossed the Snake River, and you can learn more about these brave pioneers, early settlers, and Native Americans at the Oregon Trail History and Education Center within the park. Self-guided tours are offered and you can expect a parking fee.  Photo courtesy of Three Island Crossing State Park on Facebook   Ponderosa State Park (McCall) Located two hours outside of Boise in McCall, Ponderosa State Park features trees exploding in fall colors alongside Payette Lake. These views are unbeatable, and this park offers plenty of opportunities to soak it in with hiking, biking, and horseback trails. Overnight accommodations are offered within this park, including campsites and deluxe lakeside cabins. Head to this state park for the weekend or even just the day to experience this beautiful fall foliage! Photo courtesy of Unsplash   Payette River Scenic Byway This route begins in Eagle and follows the Payette River as it winds through the Boise and Payette National Forests. These forests are full of trees changing color alongside the river, giving your car a front-row seat to this stunning display of nature. This byway ends up in McCall, so combine it with Ponderosa State Park for an amazing fall road trip. Photo courtesy of Unsplash   Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway This byway follows the South Fork of the Payette River from Banks to Lowman and eventually meets up with the Payette River Scenic Byway. The Payette River is favored by outdoor enthusiasts for its world-class rafting, so stop at a pull-out and watch the kayakers and rafters battle the white water. The fall foliage on this route is remarkable and a must-see! Photo courtesy of Visit Idaho

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Fall Festivals in the Treasure Valley 2024

Photo courtesy of  Getty Images Autumn in Boise means leaves changing color everywhere you look, and countless fun activities for you to enjoy with family and friends. From corn mazes to apple picking, make this fall in the Treasure Valley a memorable one with these fall festivals!   Boise Fall Festival Get ready for a day of fun, food, and festivities at the Boise Fall Festival, an event perfect for families and the local community. With live music, delicious cuisine from a variety of food stalls, and pumpkin photo ops, there's plenty to enjoy. You can also browse arts and crafts booths to support local artisans or participate in family-friendly activities like face painting and games. The festival occurs on Saturday, October 4, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Expo Idaho. You can find more info here and admission is free!  Photo courtesy of  Getty Images   Middleton Harvest Festival On Saturday, September 28th, from noon to 5 pm, Middleton is hosting their 13th annual Harvest Festival. This event features live music, over 100 local vendors, food trucks, raffles, and more. Taking place in Foote Park, this event is perfect for the whole family with a free kids area, pumpkin patch hayride, apple bobbing, and even a kids pie eating contest! Entry is free and you can find more information here. Photo courtesy of  Getty Images   Star Fall Fest Taking place on Saturday, September 14th, at the Star River House, the Star Fall Fest is sure to entertain the whole family and get you in the fall mood. It will start with a charity car show and vendor market, then a Queso contest, a pie contest, afternoon music by Good Time Charlie, and a tribute to our military and veterans. ADA Community Library will be providing games and activities for the younger ones. Starting at 6 pm, the Tribute Kings will be playing live, covering the music of Neil Diamond, Bad Company, and Bob Seger. Find out more here. Photo courtesy of Unsplash   Meridian Fall Fest Meridian is hosting its 9th annual Fall Festival on October 12th on the City Hall Lawn. This fun fall event will have a burger-cooking competition, live entertainment, an Oktoberfest Beer Garden, football on the big screen, and a cornhole tournament. Stop by and join the community in getting in the fall spirit! Proceeds go to LOVE’s Kitchen of Meridian, and you can find out more details here. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock   Apple Picking in Emmett Apple picking is the perfect activity to get you in the fall mood and support some local orchards! Williams Fruit Ranch in Emmett offers U-pick fruit with multiple varieties of apples as well as plums and prunes. Tylers Rocky Point Orchard and Candy Apple Orchard both also offer U-Pick apples. Bring the whole family or come with friends for a fun activity with the added benefit of going home with a haul of apples! Photo courtesy of Unsplash   The Farmstead The Lowe Family Farmstead is located in Kuna, Idaho, and has a wide variety of activities for the whole family. It is home to a big corn maze with a fun new design each year and a mini corn maze for young kids. There is also a pumpkin patch where you can search for the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern. The Farmstead also offers fun activities including hayrides, a U-pick flower field, gemstone mining, corn boxes, a potato sack slide, farm animals, and countless other things to keep you and your family entertained and in the fall spirit! Photo courtesy of Lowe Family Farmstead   Local Pumpkin Patches Idaho has deep roots in agriculture and plenty of locally-owned family farms that host their own version of a fall festival. From smaller pop-ups like Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch to big operations like Lowes Family Farmstead, there is a place to enjoy harvest season by picking your own pumpkins, hay-barrel rides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and more.  Smaller/Less Crowded: Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Tree Lot (Boise) Cabalo’s Orchard and Gardens (Kuna) (also great for apple picking!) Larger/More Activities: Lowes Family Farmstead (Boise) Cherry Hill Farms (Caldwell) Photo curtesy of Getty Images   Boise Farmers Market The Boise Farmers Market is open every Saturday through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1500 Shoreline Drive and is the perfect place to find locally grown fall produce. The Capitol City Public Market focuses more on pre-made food, art, and produce and remains open through December. Stop by from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Grove Plaza for some cinnamon sugar mini donuts or locally made apple cider to get cozied up in the crisp air. Photo courtesy of  Unsplash    

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