RECLISTINGS events & classes BIKE MS: ROAD, SWEAT AND GEARS RIDE 2009—Participants raise a minimum pledge of $250 to help fight multiple sclerosis, slap a helmet on their head and take a beautiful ride starting at Camp Pinewood in McCall. The cyclists roll by the Burgdorf Hot Springs turnoff, head south toward Donnelly stopping off at the Jug Mountain Ranch, and end in a different location in McCall. On Day 1, the routes available are 20, 40 and 60 miles and Day 2, the routes are 25 and 50 miles. The fully supported ride includes SAG vehicles, festive rest areas, enjoyable meals, and entertainment. Aug. 2223, $30 individual; $20 team; $50 day of ride, 208-3884253, bikeidi.nationalmssociety.org. Camp Pinewood, 300 N. Mission St., McCall. BOISE RIVER WALK—Idaho Rivers United leads a one-mile public walk along the Boise River highlighting trout habitat restoration projects including Loggers Creek. Walkers should meet in the east parking lot of the Riverside Elementary School. Access to the walk begins via East Riverwalk Drive west of S. Bown Way. Call 208343-7481 for more information. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m., FREE, www.idahorivers. org. Riverside Elementary School, 2100 E. Victory Road, Boise, 208-854-5980. DROP IN HIP-HOP CLASSES— Anyone age 16 and older can
drop in at the Trey McIntyre studio for an open level class hip-hop dance class. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to have fun and get a great workout. The First Thursday of the month is free. These classes are ongoing and taught by Janelle Wilson. Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. $10 per class, $80 package of 10 classes, 208-724-6537. Trey McIntyre Project studio and office, 775 Fulton St., Boise, www.treymcintyre.com. FOURTH ANNUAL XTERRA WILD RIDE OFF-ROAD TRIATHLON—The Wild Ride features a 3/4-mile swim, a 19.5-mile mountain bike and a 6.2-mile trail run. After racers hit the finish line, festivities begin at noon with the racer feed and music, followed by awards at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m., $95 adv., $105 on-site until Aug. 22, www.wildrockies. com. Ponderosa State Park, McCall. IDAHO SENIOR GAMES—The Idaho Senior Games is for athletes 50 years old and better, with some events open to 35 and better participants. Events including 21 sports with more than 80 events taking place in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley. Entrants can register for cycling, track and field, tennis, 8-ball pool and more. The games are held Aug. 8 and 14-16, and 20-23. Through Aug. 23, 8 a.m., $25 registration fee; $5 per sport, 208-344-5502, Ext. 317, www. idahoseniorgames.org.
NORDIC POLE WALKING DEMO—All abilities are welcome to attend the hands-on demonstration of Nordic pole walking, a beneficial activity for health, fitness and rehabilitation for injured runners. Burn calories and lose body fat. Hikers practice balance and stability, and those with osteoporosis or arthritis can benefit from the decrease of stress on lower body joints. The demonstration is from 5:30-6 p.m., followed by a walk from 6-6:30 p.m. To join the pole walk, reserve a set of poles (limited to 12 individuals) by calling the instructor, Lori Adams at 208-452-3698 or e-mail tvnordicwalkingadventures@gmail.com. Thursday, Aug. 20, 5:30 p.m., FREE. Shu’s Idaho Running Company, 1758 W. State St., Boise, 208344-6604, www.idahorunningcompany.com. WILDERNESS MEDICINE—REI is hosting a program on how to handle basic injuries in the great outdoors. Wilderness medicine training center instructor Mat Erpelding presents a program on wilderness medicine basics. Learn how to respond to common wilderness situations and tips on how to respond to wilderness injuries. Erpelding will also share opportunities available in Boise to expand your knowledge on wilderness medicine. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., FREE. REI, 8300 W. Emerald, Boise, 208-322-1141, www.rei. com.
PLAY BY DEANNA DARR
HOMECOMING Once you’ve seen salmon migrating upriver, it’s something you’ll never forget. The first time I saw the migration was when I was a kid at summer camp in Central Idaho. One moment, we were playing around in the stream, then suddenly, we were surrounded by the massive fish, their red-tinged backs rising above the surface as they struggled through the shallows. We all froze, but the fish were so focused on their mission that they didn’t seem to notice us and swam within inches. It was one of those wonderful moments when you get a glimpse of the bigger picture—that this world isn’t ours alone. I’ve seen the salmon at other points in my life, even watched them leap over waterfalls in central Oregon as Native American fishermen balancing on rickety platforms used longhandled dip nets to scoop up their catch. But those opportunities have become increasingly rare as salmon numbers have declined, especially those making the roughly 900-mile journey to Idaho in what is the longest of all migrations among sockeye salmon. But thanks to numerous restoration and breeding programs, there is reason to hope that others will be able to experience the sight, too. Last year, roughly 650 adult sockeyes made it to the Stanley Basin—the highest number since the 1990s. This year, the first few sockeye of the season were counted in Redfish Lake Creek on July 24. As of Monday, Aug. 17, 452 salmon have been counted, with 20 to 40 more coming in each day according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The public, as well as wildlife managers look forward to the return of the salmon each year, and the 10th annual Sawtooth Salmon Festival will mark the migration with a weekend of educational programs, celebrations, music and general salmon-oriented merrymaking. The festival will run from Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23, in Stanley near the Visitors Center. An educational tent will be set up on-site, giving guests the chance to learn more about salmon, and to hear stories based on the fish. Kids can join in a variety of hands-on activities, including traditional fish printing (gyotaku), while adults visit arts and crafts vendors and take in live music by Gizzard Stone, Rebecca Scott, Audra Connolly, Bernie Reilly, Carter Freeman, Kelly Lynae and Ryan Wissinger. On Friday evening, Mike Barenti, author of Kayaking Alone: 900 Miles from Idaho’s Mountains to the Pacific Ocean will speak at the Stanley Museum beginning at 5 p.m. and at the Redfish Lake Campground amphitheater at 8 p.m. Saturday’s highlight will be a wild salmon feast (which seems a bit strange to be both eating and celebrating salmon, but the fish on the menu are ocean-caught Alaskan salmon). Tickets for the dinner are $12 for adults and $6 for children younger than 12, and are available in advance at Idaho Rivers United’s Boise office or at the festival. Proceeds from the event will go to IRU’s salmon recovery programs. But to really celebrate the return of the salmon, join one of the guided field trips to the Salmon River to view spawning chinook salmon. While all the talks and demonstrations are informational, the only way to truly appreciate the amazing journey these fish make is to see it in person. You might just be inspired to do what you can to make sure salmon always have an annual homecoming in Idaho. For more information about the festival, call Jeff at 208-343-7481.
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