Tour of Idaho

I spent this week in Idaho for work and unusually, got the chance to do some sight seeing along the way.

Local Mountain Elevations in Sun Valley

I always forget how beautiful Sun Valley is until I get up there, and then, I always mean to stay longer the next time.  I think this is the trip that will change. Everyone thinks of Sun Valley for the ski season, but I hear it's a fantastic time in the summer. While in Hailey I didn't get to take any pictures, but we had the opportunity to tour the one of the 3 Rocky Mountain Hardware factories (3 locations; Hailey, Shoshone & Blackfoot). If you've never seen their product, check out the link. Everything they produce uses old techniques and seeing the craftsmanship that goes into each piece is incredible.

Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, ID

The 8th highest bridge in the US, the Perrine Bridge, is actually the one of the only man-made structures in the US where BASE jumping is allowed year round without a permit (source, Wikipedia). It's also the site of the Perrine Bridge Festival, a fundraiser started in 2005 to raise awareness and money for children with special needs in the Magic Valley.
I got to drive on US 30, the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway. Did you know that the hatcheries along the valley produce 70% of the Trout produced in the US?  .

City of Seattle from above

No matter how many times I fly into the city, I never, ever get tired of this view.  Absolutely gorgeous!

Golden Feature:

I probably haven't mentioned this before, but I like to enjoy the occasional cigar.  While taking a trip to Total Wine in Bellevue, I found this and obviously couldn't resist.  Macanudo Gold Label Gold Bar, I bought it for $9.99, but I found them online for a 5-pack for $33 at cigarinternational.com

(I personally prefer a bolder cigar, but will be trying this in principle alone, I'll let you know how it goes)

Golden Tidbit:"The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted." - Bill Bryson

St. Paddy's Day Spring

Happy Wear-Green Day! In looking for something to wear today I did realize I had a lot more vibrant emerald Green to wear than I thought (blazer, crop pants, cardigan, silk shirt and 3-5 necklaces - although I have always loved jewel tones, so maybe this shouldn't surprise me). It truly is a gorgeous day out for St. Paddy's Day, so we decided a little brunch and cigar walk was in order (walk for me, Cigar for Jeremy)  We stopped at Blueacre (really, go if you haven't been, I'm serious that this is one of the best restaurants in Seattle) for a breakfast bite to energize and catch up with our favorite bartender, the shaggy ne'er-do-well we know as Neil. Then off on a walk filled with as much sun & nature as we could find within a mile or so of our apartment.  From the flowers we found, you'd think it was already spring, but I believe some great gardeners and city facility owners should get the credit.

And trying something new, an experimental B&W with Birch trees at the Federal Courthouse

Golden Tidbit:

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I figured it was only fair to make sure the Golden Tidbit had some Green in it.  Also, Emerald is the Pantone color of the year, so really you should already be taking advantage. This Cabachon Kelly Green Bib necklace from Piperlime is $38 (free shipping!) 

Golden Quote: "The First day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month." -Henry Van Dyke