Day 9--REST DAY, Boise, ID

Day 9—June 27, 2006—REST DAY, Boise, ID

I think everyone enjoyed their stay in Boise: The Courtyard by Marriott is a very gracious hotel; Boise is a “bike friendly” town with cyclists everywhere, 30 miles of greenway bike trails just a block from the motel, and a great bike shop called “Georges” one block away. Also, only blocks from the motel, an REI store within biking distance and a masseuse for the aching muscles. There is also a choice of eating places nearby the motel. Some riders opted for a Basque restaurant where they had some ethnic food and a great experience.

What’s a Basque restaurant doing in Boise? Well, Boise — which BTW is named from the river on which it is located, the latter named by the French Rivière Boisé, meaning “woody river” — saw an influx of Basques from Spain in the 1930s, a migration that has had a big impact on Boise's culture. Interestingly, today Boise has the largest concentration of Basques per capita outside the Pyrenees Mountains. It also has a fine Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

Enuff for now. Look for a report again on tomorrow’s ride out of Boise.