Idaho Off the Beaten Path

Personalized books make great gifts

2010-11-30T05:37:00.000-08:00

Do you know someone who loves Idaho? Maybe someone who's moving here for the first time or coming back after some time away? Idaho Off the Beaten Path is the perfect gift for that person!

Idaho's most-often-updated guidebook is now available for purchase directly from the author, who will personalize and autograph it for your recipient (or for you). Use your debit or credit card, or your PayPal account. Just look for the yellow "Buy Now" button" at right.

Here are some messages you might want in the book:

"Come visit soon!"
"Idaho misses you."
"Welcome to Idaho."
"Welcome back. Idaho has missed you."
"Here's to your great future in Idaho."

Support local Idaho businesses and give Idaho Off the Beaten Path to your friends and family. Real estate agents, personnel recruiters, convention planners ... you can say thanks and welcome with this book, too!

Welcome back, Treasure magazine!

2010-05-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to say I am the travel columnist for the Idaho Statesman's newly relaunched Treasure magazine, which was delivered this morning to all Boise-area subscribers of the state's largest newspaper. You can read much of it online, too; here's my story on Riggins. This re-debut issue also includes Rick Overton's profile of Bella Aquila restaurant in Eagle and Dana Oland's cover piece on the Trey McIntyre Project, an internationally known modern dance company that moved to Boise two years ago. Also worth a read: editor Holly Anderson's note about why Treasure is back now, after a year's hiatus.

The 8th edition is coming mid-June

2010-03-31T14:11:00.001-07:00

The new edition of Idaho Off the Beaten Path will be out in mid-June 2010. Sign up at the publisher's website to receive an email when it becomes available, and check back this summer for news of book signings and other special events. UPDATE: I'll be signing books at the Capital City Public Market in Boise on Saturday, June 19. See more details in the comments below.

Idaho Off the Beaten Path is updated every other year, far more often than any other print guidebook to the state. The 8th edition features plenty of new "finds" around the state, plus new information on longtime favorite attractions. Feel free to list suggestions for additions to future editions in the comments below, too.

Off the beaten path = far away?

2008-10-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Not necessarily. Ever since I started writing Idaho Off the Beaten Path in the mid-1990s, I've treated the phrase "Off the Beaten Path" metaphorically. In other words, I don't think going off the beaten path necessarily means traveling hundreds of miles off the interstate. It might just mean trying a restaurant in a part of town you rarely visit (such as the Linen District in Boise), wandering off the main path to find alternate overlooks at Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, or sleeping in a giant beagle-shaped B&B rather than another chain motel near Cottonwood in North Central Idaho.

These days, we're all interested in saving gas and money, and Idaho Off the Beaten Path can help you find close-to-home "staycations" that are friendly to your budget and to the environment. It's possible to enjoy fun family journeys of discovery, romantic getaways, and even outdoor adventures close to where you live, no matter where you are in Idaho. I'm always looking for new places to feature, too, so your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and ideas are welcome! Please include them as comments in the regional sections provided below.

North Idaho

2008-10-12T11:48:00.001-07:00

New highlights from North Idaho in the 7th edition include:

Under the Sun - A gourmet organic restaurant-general store in Bonners Ferry
The White House Grill - Garlic lovers' heaven in Post Falls
Josie's Full of Beans - A cool Internet coffeehouse in Kellogg

Here's what's changed in North Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

No changes known so far

Add other changes and suggestions from North Idaho in the comments below.

North Central Idaho

2008-10-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

New highlights from North Central Idaho in the 7th edition include:

Cowgirl Chocolates - Sweet and spicy treats from Moscow
York House - A bed and breakfast on the campus of Lewis-Clark State College (SORRY! It has closed.)
White Bird Summit Lodge & Guest Ranch - Perched high above the famous grade near Grangeville

Here's what's changed in North Central Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

No changes known so far

Add other changes and suggestions from North Central Idaho in the comments below.

Southwestern Idaho

2008-10-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

New highlights from Southwestern Idaho in the 7th edition include:

Backwoods Adventures - Canoe and kayak rentals at Payette Lake's North Beach
Starlight Mountain Theater - Summer entertainment in Garden Valley
Modern Hotel - Hip lodging in Boise's emerging Linen District
The Belle District - Urban renewal in downtown Nampa
Murals in Mountain Home

Here's what's changed in Southwestern Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

Page 63: Trudy's Restaurant in Idaho City was destroyed by fire in March 2008, but it reopened in mid-July, just four months after the blaze!

Restaurant RIPs: These restaurants have closed for good... Milky Way in Boise ... Mortimer's in Boise ...

Add other changes and suggestions from Southwestern Idaho in the comments below.

South Central Idaho

2008-10-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

New highlights from South Central Idaho in the 7th edition include:

Thousand Springs State Park - Amazing scenery and geology near Hagerman
Durfee Hot Springs - Good soaking just outside the City of Rocks

Here's what's changed in South Central Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

No changes known yet

Add other changes and suggestions from South Central Idaho in the comments below.

Southeastern Idaho

2008-10-06T05:49:00.001-07:00

New highlights from Southeastern Idaho in the 7th edition include:

Kinport Station - Good eats and drink in a renovated Pocatello warehouse

Here's what's changed in Southeastern Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

No changes noted yet

Add other changes and suggestions from Southeastern Idaho in the comments below.

Eastern Idaho

2008-10-06T05:48:00.001-07:00

New highlights from Eastern Idaho in the 7th edition include:

Grandpa's Southern BBQ - The Arco location's gone, but the Idaho Falls store is still open
Victor Emporium - Mmmmm, huckleberry shakes on the way to Targhee or the Tetons

Here's what's changed in Eastern Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

Haven't heard of any changes yet

Add changes and suggestions from Eastern Idaho in the comments below.

Central Idaho

2008-10-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here's what's changed in Central Idaho since the book went to press in early 2008:

No changes known yet

Add other changes and suggestions from Central Idaho in the comments below.