Boise, Idaho

My mother lives in Washington State, and as it turns out, three of my sisters from California were planning a trip up North for a visit in April or May. (I also have one sister who lives in Washington as well.) So, being in California in April meshed nicely into these plans and the sisters reunion will take place the last week in April. After making the decision to go back to Michigan, via Aberdeen, Washington, Dan and I decided we would take a round-about route the Pacific Northwest via Boise, Idaho so we could visit the Capitol. I also happen to have a niece (and her family) who live in Boise, so there was more than one reason to take this route.

We arrived in Boise on a Monday, and on Tuesday we met my niece for coffee at Big City Coffee, a very fun coffee, breakfast, and lunch place I recommend if you are ever in the area. Afterwards Dan and I toured the State Capitol, dropped by the natural foods CO-OP for lunch and a little shopping, then to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary for a self-guided tour of the prison that operated until 1973.

The Capitol, built in 1905, is of the traditional dome style, and was designed by John Tourtellotte, whose vision was to create a building that emphasized natural light and use it as a decorative element. He used light shafts, skylights, and reflective marble surfaces to capture natural sunlight and direct it to the interior space. For Tourtellotte, light was a metaphor for an enlightened and moral state government, and the building is referred to as the "Capitol of Light". Along with the natural lighting, the use of interior lights projects a soft golden glow throughout the building.

The atmosphere is formal and stately. Classic Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns support the rotunda, and the marble floors come from quarries in Alaska, Georgia, Vermont, and Italy. The columns themselves, although they look as if they are made from marble, are actually a finished surface composed of scagliola, a mixture of gypsum, glue, marble dust and granite, dyed to look like marble. Scaglioila originated in Italy during the 16th century as an alternative to marble, which was both expensive and very heavy.

I have included a few pictures of the "Capitol of Light" from our visit.

Sacramento, California March-April 2010

There will always be a part of me that considers the Sacramento area my home. I was raised from birth to age 18 in Orangevale, and spent the next 32 years living in various parts of Sacramento. I still have children and grandchildren that live in the area. And even though Dan and I travel full time all over the country, and live by the motto "Home is Where You Park It", both of us still have our regular doctors and dentists in the area. We have our favorite restaurants, and know where to go for just about anything we need. I am always excited when I think about coming to Sacramento, because I know I will see my family, and feel a sense of comfortable familiarity in my surroundings.

So, when I was twice the victim of thieves during my recent stay here, it was especially upsetting, and left me feeling sad and let down by what I think of as my home town. First my bicycle was stolen from the RV Park we were staying in, and it was cable locked at the time. It took the thief a few tries to cut through it, but eventually the deed was done and my bike was gone. A couple of weeks later, our truck, which was locked, was broken into and my purse with all the normal things you find in a purse, was stolen. The entire week following that was spent trying to diminish the repercussions of possible financial loss and identity theft. I know, I know… why did I leave my purse in the truck? Even if the door was locked? Don't think I haven't beat myself up over that one!

But the wondrous event that brought us here in the first place, and what really made it all worthwhile despite the bad luck, was the birth of my newest grandchild, Pearl Eve. This is my fifth grandchild, and I was lucky enough to spend time with all of them during our recent stay. Because seeing them can wipe away just about any sadness I might feel about anything else, I am dedicating the visit to Sacramento and these photos to them.