VALLEY OF OPPORTUNITY

Manipura, the solar plexus chakra, represents human power. Experiences to empower our best selves can be found here.

#57

READ, CONTRIBUTE TO AND COMMENT ON THE WOOD RIVER WEEKLY

Action: Read, contribute to and comment on the Wood River Weekly.

Intention: Our tagline is ‘Your Voice in the Wood River Valley’ and that’s true only if you read our news articles and commentary, contact us with story ideas or news info, and comment on social media or in a letter to our editor, Eric Valentine, at news@woodriverweekly.com.

Information: Check out woodriverweekly.com and newsstands across the Valley.

#58 SEE SOME SOFTBALL

Action: See Some Softball

Intention: Wood River Legacy Softball is dedicated to providing a program that will help girls gain self-confidence, become leaders, and strengthen their social and emotional health through the game of softball. Good sportsmanship, self-discipline, teamwork and dedication are our focus, while teaching the fundamentals of the game. That’s something worth showing up for, even as a fan.

Information: Around mid-June, the annual Wood River Mountain Classic fastpitch softball tournament takes place in Hailey. Girls ages 10-, 12-, 14- and 16-up compete. Visit WoodRiverSoftball.org for details.

#59 GO ROCKHOUNDING

Action: Go Rockhounding

Intention: Idaho is known as the “Gem State” for good reason. A love of the outdoors and a geologically curious mind find their perfect match in hunting the rare and beautiful gems of the Wood River Valley. The Idaho Land Board declares the state’s varied regions a “mineral collector’s storehouse.” In Blaine County, amethyst is found near Hailey; copper, silver, lead and zinc are abundant, too. In Bellevue and Carey, look for jasper and agate. Consider pairing your adventure with books like The Crystal Alchemist: A Comprehensive Guide to Unlocking the Transformative Power of Gems and Stones. There’s power in rocks!

Information: There are many resources for rockhounding in the area, though we love Garrett Romaine’s book “Rockhounding Idaho: A Guide to 99 of the State’s Best Rockhounding Sites.” A large preview of the book, complete with local sites, is available online on Google Books for free.

SAWTOOTH BOTANICAL GARDEN (est. 1995) A community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude Youth and adult educational programming | Facility rental available | Volunteer opportunities Home of the Garden of Infinite Compassion

Tours upon request | Gift shop | Wildflower Walks sbgarden.org | 208-726-9358 | 11 Gimlet Road (5 miles south of Ketchum) Garden is accessible dawn to dusk; visit sbgarden.org for Visitor Center hours Celebrating Plants … Inspiring People!

#60 UTILIZE THE BELLEVUE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Action: Utilize the Bellevue Public Library

Intention: Beat the heat and expand your mind inside the Bellevue Public Library and the Betsy Castle Community Room.

Information: For information on programs, visit bellevue. lili.org/events. Programs for both adults and children are available. This year’s Summer Reading Program is ‘Ocean of Possibilities’ and it’s free. Bellevue Public Library is located at 117 East Pine Street. Call (208) 788-4503 or visit Bellevue Public Library on Facebook for more library programs.

#61 DO DISC GOLF

Action: Do Disc Golf

Intention: A few tosses of that little Frisbee can lighten things up and send your worries sailing. Keep it light—and stay on your toes—while walking the lush greens on the area’s disc golf course.

Information: From downtown Ketchum, head about 1.5 miles west on Warm Springs Road, past the YMCA, and take a left on Bald Mountain Road. Park in the first lot on the left and, finally, cross the bridge to “frolfers” paradise. No greens fees required here. Locals ask only that their beloved grounds be respected while the round is played. Visit dgcoursereview. com to see the lay of the 18-hole course. Course maps are also available at the Board Bin in downtown Ketchum.

#62 GO FISH

Action: Go Fish

Intention: Human life evolved from the sea. Water has healing properties. Fish metaphors are endless in human thought. Connect with humanity’s roots solo or with another at two special Valley spots.

Information: Looking to try fishing for the first time? Penny Lake is a quaint spot for first-timers to try casting and to learn the nuances of fishing. The area has a convenient ADA-accessible dock for the whole family to come and watch in support.

Need an escape? Go to Dollar Pond and meditate at this scenic thinking spot. This is a coveted spot; if someone is already occupying Dollar Pond, just wait your turn or try coming back another time. In the same vein, if you’ve been at the spot for an hour or so and a car pulls up, be neighborly and let the newcomers have their turn.

Penny Lake and Dollar Pond are located out Warm Springs about 1 mile past the last four-way stop sign. Penny Lake will be on your left and Dollar Pond on your right.

#63 HIKE WITH A PAWRTNER

Action: Hike with a Pawrtner

Intention: DNA evidence suggests that more than 130,000 years ago, dogs split off from wolves and spent the next 100,000 years domesticating themselves for human benefit. Let’s pay them back.

americansealcoating5b@gmail.com • SEAL COATING • CRACK FILLING • STRIPING • POTHOLE REPAIR

Information: The Hikin’ Buddies program at Mountain Humane is every Wednesday through July and meets at Adams Gulch at 9 a.m. At Hikin’ Buddies, you can take a shelter dog for a hike, or hang out and socialize some of the smaller dogs. It is a great opportunity to meet some of Mountain Humane’s adoptable dogs as well as to learn more about the organization. All are welcome to join in throughout the summer, weather permitting. No appointment is necessary; just bring your family and friends to have a good time with some dogs that would love to meet you!

Directions to Adams Gulch: Take Hwy. 75 north through the city of Ketchum. As you drive next to the Bigwood Golf Course you will see a left-hand turn for Adams Gulch. Follow this road as it winds toward the hill. At the T in the road, go left, and you will soon see Adams Gulch parking lot and the Mountain Humane tent and van.

#64 RIDE THE CEMENT

Action: Ride the Cement

Intention: Nature abounds, but Hailey has enough concrete to make skateboarders happy, too. The Hailey Skatepark, ridden by skateboard guru Tony Hawk himself, was designed by Dreamland Skateparks. This public city facility challenges even the most experienced and daring skaters, and hosts many major skateboard contests and events throughout the summer and fall months. Featuring a full-radius concrete pipe and rollin with handrails, the park is also a great place to learn how to drop in.

Information: Hailey Skatepark is located next to the The Chamber Visitor Center and Campion Ice House. When driving north on Hwy. 75 toward town, the skatepark is on your right-hand side at Airport Way and Main Street. Look for the SnowBunny Drive-In and rodeo grounds. Learn more at haileyidaho.com/skateboarding and facebook.com/HaileySkate. Use proper protective equipment and try to hit the park before 9 a.m. to have an uninterrupted session. Unfortunately, BMX is not welcomed; however, scooters are.

#65 POP A WHEELIE!

Action: Pop a Wheelie!

Intention: Anyone can ride a bike, but can you ride it with flair? Don’t settle for ordinary when you can be extraordinary.

Information: Hailey’s BMX Pump Track is a great place to work on biking skills, get a workout and enjoy a wonderful view. Come visit the tracks with the family and have a bite to eat at the outdoor snack bar facing the track.

There are two tracks: the smaller track is designed for initial skill building and a younger audience of riders. The larger track has larger features and is intended for more seasoned riders.

Park at the Community Campus and the track will be to the west, behind the pool. Visit summertrailink.bcrd.org for more information.

#66 QUEST FOR EQUESTRIAN

Action: Quest for Equestrian

Intention: Enjoy the landscape the way you would have a century ago, on horseback.

Information: A number of reputable stables are located in the Wood River Valley and beyond. Do a Google search and peruse the reviews to see which stable is best for you. It’s not free, but it won’t break the bank either.

#67 RISE ABOVE

Action: Rise Above

Intention: Mount Borah is the highest mountain in the state of Idaho, at 12,667 feet, and one of the most prominent peaks in the contiguous United States. Climbing Borah is considered a rite of passage for Idahoans, and can be accomplished by a fit and prepared family.

Information: Although a decent trail does snake its way to the top of Borah, reaching the summit is not a hike but a climb. The elevation difference from trailhead to peak is 5,200 vertical feet, which is gained over about 4 miles. The trail is relentlessly steep, especially on the descent, which is why hiking poles are strongly encouraged.

Once at the summit, climbers are rewarded with views of no less than six major Idaho mountain ranges. Mount Borah is located in the central section of the Lost River Range, within the Challis National Forest in eastern Custer County, east of Sun Valley over Trail Creek Summit.

Trail Creek is a narrow, rocky mountain road. Make sure you have good tires for the winding, slow-going, roughly 70-mile trip depending on where you’re starting from.