The Gem State

When people think of Idaho, usually the first thing to go through their minds is the potato. Yes, we have famous potatoes, but Idaho is the gem state. You might wonder how we got this nickname when Idaho really doesn't have a plethora of gems...we DO have the star garnet which is only found in Idaho and India, Idaho's one claim to gem fame...but that doesn't really account for the prestigious name. In fact, Idaho's nickname is a mistake! The word 'Idaho' was thought to mean "gem of the mountains" in a native American language, but was later found not to be true. Still, the name stuck and to this day, Idaho is the Gem State.

This sign hangs on main street and points the way to a local shop.

I am posting this photo from the 2nd floor at Gritman Medical Center where my husband has been admitted. I am not sure how long we may be here, so I may or may not have a photo for tomorrow. Please bear with me.

Friendship Square clock

This clock is 4 sided and sits at the intersection of Main and Friendship Square. There are many activities throughout the year here in Friendship Square...not the least of which is the Farmer's Market which runs from May through October. Also many music events take place in the square and all the parades pass through it making it a hot spot for people watching.

Moon on the Palouse

The last few mornings as I have gone to pick up my son from his job, the moon has been out and almost ready to leave the horizon. I managed to snap this photo today, just as the sun was starting to come up on the opposite horizon.

Biggest Loser

The North Idaho Athletic Center in downtown Moscow is running this Biggest Loser contest. It's a great idea...I just wish my husband had gotten involved with it! He has lost 40 lbs in the past 3 months (not by choice), but because he has been having gall bladder pain and has changed his eating habits completely. He is feeling great, has more energy, is sleeping better, and has dropped 4 sizes! The gall bladder pain seems to be a thing of the past, thank God. Nothing like feeling like you would rather die than be in pain to make you rethink what garbage you are putting into your body!

Oxymorons...

Or double oxymoron...Save Money, Live Better...and it's printed on a soda pop dispenser? LOL Spend your money and ruin your health would be more apt, but there you go! This one really made me chuckle. Also found at our local Walmart. :)

Line of carts

Our local Walmart recently got in some shiny new carts...I always manage to get a bum one, but nevertheless, they are new. These were against the south wall during the start of our latest batch of snow.

Mall Car

Every few weeks it seems, there is a car or two parked inside the Palouse Mall. What is surprising is that I go to the mall often enough to notice this trend. I am not a mall person, but I suppose they are a benefit when you need to go to several places at once. Or in the case of the local car shopper, you can ooohhh and ahhhh over the latest offering from Paradise Ford all within the comfort of climate control.

Peeking

Despite the 4 inches of snow that fell last night, these tulip bulbs have decided enough is enough and were brave enough to poke through the snow to give us hope that winter is nearly over. I have to admit I won't be sorry to see the last of the snow melt away...this winter has seemed so long to me!

The steam plant

The UI steam plant was built in 1926 and originally burned oil, but now burns wood chip debris from our local logging industry. The plant not only provides heat to the university buildings, but steam pipes under the sidewalks and common areas on campus keep them free of snow and ice during the winter. At some point I am going to take the tour of the facility...I hear from my oldest son that it is 'pretty cool'.

UI Water Tower

This is the west hill water tower on the University of Idaho campus. When we were up near the Ag Complex, I took the opportunity of shooting the tower from a higher vantage point than I would normally be able to get.

Wood Silo

This old wood grain silo sits just off of Dry Creek Road in between Steptoe and Garfield, Washington. Littered on the ground all around it were the dilapidated debris from the outer shell and what is left here are the inner workings.

Here's Your Sign

Each month I am going to feature a sign or billboard that catches my eye. Here is the offering for March...a billboard at the corner of Division and Shannon in Spokane. I'm not a big drinker, and beer is not high on my list, but Corona is pretty tasty and it just won't do to leave out the wedge of lime! This one made me LOL.

Theme Day: Glass

I chose our local recycling center, Moscow Recycling, to take my photo this month. Moscow is a small town, but the amount of glass to be recycled on any given day is staggering. Well to me anyway! We are an earth conscious community as a whole, so the center gets plenty of traffic from citizens concerned with helping recover and reuse our natural resources via recycling.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of the City Daily Photo Theme Day for March!