Remember that 250 years ago, nobody had ever heard of Idaho, and the name was mostly made up by an entrepreneur who impressed the federal government with an exaggeration about his knowledge of indigenous culture.  But a large number of people who live in the state can trace ancestry to the colonial era, and I believe most Americans still have a love of country, even if some polls give an indication they may not quite know how to express it.

I Was at the Heart of the Bicentennial

Looking back 50 years, I was in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of July.  Washington also didn’t exist in 1776.  My memory is that its reputation as a hot, sticky swamp was well earned.  I traveled there with a history club from school.  On a rattling old yellow bus.  The city was packed, and many of the people on the streets were foreign tourists.  It told me that despite the anti-Americanism common on streets elsewhere around the world, we were still fascinating others.

We’re Still One Nation

1976 was a unifying experience and followed a very turbulent previous 15 years.  Some people fear the 250^th jubilee won’t bring us together.  Look, those rent-a-mobs you see on TV and online are actually a small fraction of America.  Picnics in the park don’t make news.  Riots and tear gas get the attention of newsrooms.  There are still far more picnics.

The recent Memorial Day commemorations were reverential.  Independence Day 2026 is going to be a party.  The media focus will be on President Trump and a festival far away.  Meanwhile, across Idaho, grills will be fired up, and we’ll be proud to be Americans.

Here Are Rappers Who Are Still Supporting Donald Trump

It’s one of the most legendary sights anywhere in the State of Idaho! The Perrine Bridge, in Twin Falls, Idaho!

If you have ever driven through Twin Falls, odds are that you have crossed it and maybe didn’t know its significance. The bridge is 1,500 feet long and it offers amazing views for drivers and pedestrians alike. That said, you can hike anywhere along the canyon and the bridge itself, from afar, is a sight!

Over the years, it has become a popular destination for base jumping! There’s nothing illegal about it, even Visit Idaho brags about its appeal for the adventure enthusiasts!

One base jumper that has made a real name for himself online for jumping the Perrine Bridge has taken his viral hobby to a new level–this time, but having a ‘colorful creature’ join him!

Take a look at these amazing shots captured as this Idahoan did the craziest leap imaginable! 

Do you think you could do something like this? 

One can find dozens and dozens of videos of base jumping from the bridge online but this one might just be the most unique and the most Idaho of them all.

We suppose if base jumping is such a normal activity for this guy, there are only so many ways to ‘spice it up’. He certainly found one!

You can watch this brave bridge-jumper and his unicorn friend take a leap of faith, below! Video posted by Jonathan Cox and DZONE Skydiving! 

I was diagnosed with a norovirus once.  A dozen years ago.  It wasn’t pleasant.  Driving home from work one day, I had to pull over and get out of the car, where I was unwell along the roadside.  Too much information?   Consider it a warning.  I had GI issues for a couple of days, and was advised to avoid other people for a week.  It was a boring stretch and a waste of personal time off.

This is Sweeping the Country

A highly unusual strain of norovirus is afflicting some parts of the country, including California.  Being that we’re at the start of the summer travel season, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes widespread in Idaho.  You’ll know if you have it, and possibly 24 hours after exposure.  My experience was that it came about fast, and it was furious.

Check out this link for more details.   People don’t have much immunity to this particular strain.  The usual advice is to wash your hands frequently.  But we’re not always near a sink, and we share a lot of door handles.  I was at a busy travel plaza a few days ago, and dozens of people were going in and out of the building in the few minutes I was there.

Disease of the Week

I can’t speak for every case, but what I had wasn’t pretty, but the worst was over in a couple of days.  Then I self-quarantined for a few more days.  It should sweep across the state quickly, and then be gone, and offer some immunity for the foreseeable future.