BOISE IDAHO
Boise (pronounced boy-see), the capital and largest city in the State of Idaho, is the hub of commerce, banking and government for Idaho.
Located along the Boise River and nestled against Boise foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boise offers many outdoor activities to local residents, from skiing at Bogus Basin Ski Resort to biking on the Boise River Greenbelt to boating at nearby reservoirs. The Boise area has it all - desert, rivers, mountains and lakes for hiking, camping, kayaking, river rafting, hunting and fishing.
Boise's climate is characterized as semi-arid with four distinct seasons. Boise experiences hot and dry summers where temperatures can often exceed 100 °F (38 °C), as well as cold winters with fair amounts of snowfall. Rainfall is usually infrequent and light, averaging 1 inch (25mm) per month. March is the wettest month with an average of 1.41 inches (36mm). August is the driest month in Boise with 0.30 inches (7.6mm) of rain. Spring and fall are generally temperate in Boise, ID.
A number of recreational opportunities are available in Boise, including extensive hiking and biking in the foothills to the immediate north of downtown. Much of this trail network is part of Hull's Gulch and can be accessed by 8th street. An extensive urban trail system called the Boise River Greenbelt that runs along the river. The Boise River itself is a common destination for fishing, swimming and rafting.
In Julia Davis Park is Zoo Boise, which has over 200 animals representing over 80 species from around the world. An African exhibit includes lions and giraffes opened in late 2008.
Boise's Bogus Basin Mountain Resort hosts several winter activities, including cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing,just 16 miles outside city limits (less than an hour drive from downtown).
Minor professional sports teams in Boise include the short-season Class A Boise Hawks, the Idaho Steelheads hockey team and the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League.
The Roady's Humanitarian Bowl football game (formerly known as the Humanitarian Bowl and later the MPC Computers Bowl) is held in late December each year, and pairs a team from the Western Athletic Conference with an Atlantic Coast Conference team.
The World Center for Birds of Prey is located just outside Boise city limits, and is a key part of the re-establishment of the Peregrine falcon and the subsequent removal from the Endangered Species list. The center is currently breeding the very rare California Condor, among many other rare and endangered species