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Halloween hits differently when you’re standing in a downpour, surrounded by superheroes, princesses, and parents in ponchos. We rolled into Meridian Speedway with one of our slick black Jeeps, a mountain of rubber ducks, and unsure how many candy-hungry kids would show up in the rain. Turns out, thousands did. A sea of umbrellas, soaked costumes, and laughter that made the weather irrelevant. It was chaos, puddles, and pure community… the kind of night that reminds you why we show up, rain or shine. more ----------------------------------------   Halloween came early this year, and Mother Nature decided to join in. From setup to sundown, it poured. Buckets. We waded through puddles, hid out in the Jeep before the gates opened, and laughed until our rain boots filled up. But even with soaked decor and slippery candy bags, the turnout was unbelievable… literally thousands of families braving the weather, smiling through it, and proving Idaho kids are built different. Our setup? A lifted black-on-black Jeep decked out in Maverick ducks, prizes, and candy. If you’ve heard of “Jeep ducking”, you know the drill. If not… picture kids on a mission, a jar full of rubber ducks, and parents guessing how many for a chance at free details, oil changes, and gear. But the real highlight though? Watching families forget the rain for a few minutes, laughing together under umbrellas and snapping photos like it was the sunniest day of the year. For us, the giveaways were fun but what we loved the most were the grins, the soaked costumes, and the reminder that connection doesn’t melt in the rain.   Huge thanks to Meridian Speedway for hosting an unforgettable time and to everyone who made memories with us (mud, mist, and all). See you next year. We’ll bring the extra towels.

We’re not claiming to be travel bloggers, but we know a good drive when we see one... especially when fall’s showing off. A few of our crew took a spontaneous weekend drive (the kind that starts with “let’s just see where this road goes”) and came back talking about waterfalls, winding backroads, and too many gas station snacks. Before winter wins, we wanted to share that route AND two more we heard about along the way. Each close enough for a day trip, but far enough to make you forget about work, emails, and that never-ending laundry pile waiting at home. more ----------------------------------------   Fall in Idaho is short, but man - it’s good while it lasts. The air smells like harvest, the fields go amber, and even a gas station donut somehow tastes better. If you’re itching for one more weekend escape before the snow hits, here are three routes worth your gas: the one our team just drove, plus two local favorites we heard about from fellow travelers along the way. Easy to get to, beautiful all the way through, and 100% worth the miles. 🍂 Thousand Springs Scenic Byway Hagerman → Bliss → Twin Falls Why go: Because you haven’t really seen “Idaho waterfalls” until you’ve seen these. The cliffs pour water straight into the Snake River... nature showing off at its best. Insider tip: Stop at Ritter Island for a picnic or a quick hot spring soak. Best light hits mid-afternoon when the basalt glows gold. ✨ Drive time: About 90 minutes from Boise to Hagerman, then 2–3 hours for the byway with stops. 🍂 Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway Grand View → Jordan Valley, OR Why go: Because solitude’s underrated. This is the drive you take when you want to see nothing but sky and golden sagebrush for miles. They call it “Oregon’s Grand Canyon,” but let’s be honest - it’s in Idaho’s backyard. Insider tip: Gas up early and pack snacks, it’s remote. Detour to Silver City ghost town for an Old West vibe and total cell-service detox. Drive time: About an hour from Boise to Grand View, then ~93 miles of backcountry road (plan for adventure). 🍂 City of Rocks Scenic Drive Almo → Castle Rocks → City of Rocks National Reserve Why go: Because it feels like another planet. Granite towers rise out of nowhere, framed by fall colors and crisp mountain air. Insider tip: The view from Pinnacle Pass at sunset? Unreal. Bring a thermos, good music, and your favorite co-pilot. Drive time: Around three hours from Boise to Almo, with about 49 miles of scenic roads inside the park.   Bottom line? Fall in Idaho doesn’t stick around long. Fill up the tank, throw on a wicked playlist, and make a memory that’ll outlast the autumn leaves. And if you remember, snap a pic and share it with us!

Behind many great cars on our lot, there’s a story - memories tucked inside each set of keys. And more often than not, Jared and Silas are the ones who found them. You won’t find Jared and Silas in auction lanes or dealer lots. They’re out across the Valley, meeting people where they are and making selling a car simple, fast… and human. So many folks loved that down-to-earth approach with Silas that he needed a partner to keep up. And Jared was the perfect fit. more ---------------------------------------- Ask most people what they notice first, and they’ll tell you about the paint, the mileage, and maybe the price tag. Jared and Silas see something else… The story sitting quietly in the driver’s seat. Everyday, they’re out meeting folks across the Treasure Valley, hearing about the adventures, milestones, and memories tied to each set of keys. ⇻ A Boise teacher trading in the Subaru that made it through the last winter commute and weekend getaway without missing a beat. ⇻ A local couple letting go of their weekend convertible… the one that made every Saturday trip to their local farmers market feel like a mini vacation. They bring those vehicles back not because they’re perfect on paper, but because they’ve already proven their worth… cars that have shown up for people, and now get to do it again for someone new. Since you won’t find Jared and Silas in auction lanes or dealer lots. You’ll find them in driveways, garages, or swapping stories curbside. Because that’s where the best cars (and the best connections) are found. What started as one guy with a knack for honest, easy conversations turned into something bigger - too many people enjoyed working with Silas to keep up alone. So Jared joined in, and now they’re a team built on the same simple idea: make selling your car feel personal, fair, and human.   Thinking about selling yours? They’d love to hear your story, and see if they can make it easy for your ride to start that next adventure.

Every business has moments that test what they stand for. This was one of ours. Steve’s experience didn’t start picture perfect… but it ended with trust, patience, and a reminder that when things go wrong, that’s when true colors show. more ---------------------------------------- Thank you Steve, for sharing your experience and for giving us the chance to show what we stand for when it really counts.

Welcome to the Maverick Journal… our monthly digest from the crew that sells, services, details, consigns, and tells better stories than your neighbor. This issue has it all: bugs that make your car dumb, a rafting trip gone sideways, and a way to get free vehicle repairs for someone you care about. Buckle up.

Spoiler: it’s not just about looks. Bugs, dirt, and road gunk can blind the sensors your car relies on for lane assist and collision warnings. Here’s where they hide - and how five minutes with a microfiber towel can save you a whole lot of headaches. more

Three years ago, Jace was sweeping the lot. Now? He’s an ASE Master Certified tech with the cleanest toolbox in the building. Get to know the quiet guy who proves you don’t have to be obsessed with cars to be obsessed with doing things right.

We swapped wrenches for paddles and turned the Payette into our personal battleground. Think rope swings, shark costumes, surprise dunks, and way too much trash talk. It was chaos, it was competition, and it was classic Maverick.

From Bogus to Boise, McCall to Moab - the real story isn’t just about the cars we sell, it’s about the adventures they fuel. Share your photos with #MaverickInTheWild (or upload them here) and you might just see yourself in the next Journal. >>>UPLOAD YOUR MAVERICK PHOTO HERE<<<

Our own, Patrick Palmer and his family, getting off the pavement on their recent Idaho road trip When the Idaho summer comes to an end each year, the seasonal trees begin a chemical process to absorb as much sunlight and nutrients as possible before winter reclaims the land again. These changes cause leaves to change color, splashing the Idaho countryside with dazzling reds, oranges, and yellows. Like many art exhibits, nature’s annual art show is available to viewers for a limited time. So, before these sights are lost to the snows of winter, we’ve covered two scenic fall drives you can check out, and we’ve offered recommendations for great eats and things to do along the way. more Boise, to Stanley, to Ketchum Loop If you’re headed from Boise, this trip involves a windy, scenic drive along the Boise River dotted with fall colors up Highway 20 through Idaho City, which during the 1860’s was the biggest city (7,000 residents) in the northwest. Since Abraham Lincoln was president, things have slowed down quite a bit, but there’s still a handful of restaurants, lodging, and hot springs to enjoy. Further up the road there’s Lowman, which is even smaller than Idaho City and serves as an excellent snowmobile basecamp during the winter season. There’s not much else to do here but soak in some hot springs or swim in the frigid, sometimes turbulent Payette River. Up in Stanley, there’s more restaurants and lodging available. Views of the Sawtooth Range and colorful Aspens are absolutely exquisite from here. Once you’ve had your fill of Stanley, head south on Highway 75 and stop over at Redfish, Petit, or Alturas Lakes. These blue, crystal clear lakes were left over from ancient glaciers that carved out the Sawtooth Valley. Further south on Highway 75, once you reach Galena Summit, there’s a lookout that affords amazing views of the Sawtooth Range and seasonal trees that dot the hillsides below. Down from Galena, the scenery between Stanley and Sun Valley is absolutely breathtaking, but even more so with fall colors. In fact, the whole Wood River Valley down to Bellevue is beautiful year round. Just watch out for elk and deer. They’re all over the place up there. After Bellevue, head west on Highway 20 toward Mountain Home. Along the way you’ll pass Fairfield on the Camas Prairie, which serves as a seasonal wetland breeding ground for numerous birds. The short stretch of the Boise National Forest you’ll pass through before Mountain Home also has plenty of fall colors to behold. Dine, Overnight, & Experience Along The Way Idaho City: Idaho City Hotel - Comfortable lodging with a mining boarding house look and feel. Trudy’s Kitchen - Homestyle American cooking with options for gluten-free desserts. The Springs - Rent a private soak room or enjoy mountain views from the main pool. Lowman: Lowman Inn - Great food, drinks, and yurt rentals available here all year round. Haven Hotsprings/Cafe - Soak in the mineral pool, grab some grub and/or stay overnight in the motel or RV Park. Sun Valley: Sun Valley Lodge - Idaho’s premiere resort with world-class dining, lodging, and entertainment in central Idaho’s mountains. Ketchum: Limelight Hotel - Pet-friendly, luxury lodging and dining in the heart of downtown Ketchum. KB’s - Legendary Idaho-themed burritos named after cities in the Gem State. Hailey & Bellevue: Silver Creek Hotel - Suites, solar-heated pool, and Tesla/EV charging in scenic Bellevue. The Smokey Bone BBQ - Mouth-watering brisket, smoked chicken, and pulled pork recipes. Fairfield: Soldier Creek Brewing Company - Locally crafted beer, food, and fun out on the Camas Prairie. Boise, to McCall, to Payette Loop McCall is a favorite destination for Boise residents year-round. The drive to McCall offers a variety of landscapes, from the views of Bogus Basin and the sagebrush dotted hills of the foothills that surround Boise, to the lush forests that surround the Payette River, which Highway 55 follows to the banks of Lake Cascade. The winding highway and scenic river scenes make for beautiful views along stretches with plenty of deciduous trees. If you have a fishing license, use one of the several turnouts on the highway where you can park, prep your gear, and try your luck for some trout. There’s lots of color to behold from the aspens and tamaracks in the mountain valley near Cascade. Once you’ve reached McCall, you can wander the banks of Payette Lake, grab some dinner and drinks, and take in the scenery. Beyond Cascade and nearby New Meadows, Highway 55 turns into Highway 95 and snakes southward through colorful mountain valleys and sparsely populated towns like Council, Cambridge, and Fruitland before connecting with I-84. Dine, Overnight, & Experience Along The Way Cascade: Alpine Lodge - Rustic log cabin rooms and RV parking minutes from Cascade Lake. North Shore Lodge - If you finish the Captain Kirk Burger, you earn a place in local glutton history. Gold Fork Hot Springs - Mineral-rich waters with varying temperature pools in a beautiful setting. McCall: Shore Lodge - Four diamond resort with rooms and suites for a satisfying mountain escape. Tamarack Resort - If you brought the mountain bikes along, check out the variety of trails here. Salmon River Brewery - Awesome beer and food with views of Payette Lake. Midvale: Mundo Hot Springs - Soak in the minerals, grab some food, and even rent a cabin overnight. We hope you found this guide helpful and inspiring, as you plan some fun weekend road trips in our beautiful state. If there’s routes or fun locales we didn't cover, let us know. Our community loves swapping stories and info with other adventurers and learning from each other.

The Dawson family, on their way to scope out a new southern Idaho camping spot Living in Idaho affords us the opportunity to explore vast tracts of wild country, including the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area (2.3 millions acres). Planning a nature vacation is as simple as looking in our own backyard. While the summer season has come to a close, Fall has incredible weather for camping. There’s plenty of time to get out there and do some serious exploring before the first flakes of snow descend from the sky. If you’re looking to experience something other than the traditional campsite and campfire, we’ve put together a small collection of unique camping adventures available right here in the Gem State. more Yurts Stargaze Yurt near Idaho City offers awesome views of the Payette River Canyon and Sawtooth Mountains. Domed animal skin-laden shelters like these have been used for thousands of years. Luckily for you, you don’t have to hunt and skin deer to make one for yourself. Modern versions of these shelters usually feature tarp coverings, a propane stove, and a plexiglass dome for stargazing from the comfort of a warm bed. The nice thing about yurts is their availability year round. Spring, summer, and fall camping in a yurt is great, and there’s something really satisfying about cozying up with some friends and loved ones in a yurt during the frigid winter months when the ground outside is blanketed in snow. The closest Yurts to the Boise area are located at Bogus Basin or near Idaho City up Highway 21, and there’s yurts further up the highway near Lowman and even some up in the scenic Sawtooth Range, or just south of the mountains at Smiley Creek Lodge. There’s also yurt rentals available up Highway 55 near Cascade and McCall. Fire Lookouts The majestic view from Arid Peak Lookout in the St. Joe National Forest in Northern Idaho. Long before satellites used high-tech imaging to detect wildfires, observers in fire lookouts kept a watchful eye over the surrounding forests, reporting smoke sightings to wildland firefighters. Due to modern technology these wilderness towers are all but obsolete. However, some ingenious entrepreneurs realized they make unique lodging for wilderness lovers. Many of these lookouts are located in northern Idaho and must be accessed via a hiking trail, so you’ll need to pack in your supplies and creature comforts. The closest lookout to Boise, however, is the Deadwood Lookout cabin in Garden Valley and is directly accessible via roadway. If you’re wanting to experience a night or extended stay in these scenic spots, you’ll have to book them in advance. Booking dates are reserved quickly, so check for availability sooner than later at Recreation.gov. Teepees Teepee camping is available at Smiley Creek Lodge just south of the Sawtooth Range. These shelters and living spaces were used by some indegenoius peoples, like those of the Shoshone tribe which occupied parts of what is now Idaho. The Shoshone were able to take down, transport, and erect these shelters with much less difficulty than fixed structures as they migrated between seasonal camps. While the teepees made today certainly lack the authenticity of a true native build, outdoor lovers can rent similar shelters in places like Smiley Creek Lodge just south of the Sawtooth Range, about two-and-a-half hours from Boise via Highway 21, or Wagonhammer RV & Campground located north of Salmon via the same highway. A night or two in a teepee is a great way to appreciate the native heritage of Idaho and the survival techniques natives passed from generation to generation. Tent Glamping Glamping in a tent like this one is a far cry from traditional tent camping. If tent camping conjures images of cramped spaces, smelly sleeping bags, and cold, sleepless nights, then you clearly haven’t experienced the luxuries of tent glamping. In contrast to a standard camping tent pitched on the rocky ground, glamping tents are usually built with hardwood flooring, comfortable pillow top beds, wood stoves, chairs and a table, and are covered with moisture-proof canvas. These sites are available in the spring, summer, and fall, and reservations fill pretty quickly. If you’re interested in elevated tent camping, sites are available at River Dance Lodge in Kooskia, about four-and-a-half hours north of Boise. There’s also several spots in Eastern Idaho near the Teton Range: Moose Creek Ranch and Linn Canyon Ranch. There’s also this Arabian-themed spot in Irwin in the same area. These are all about a five hour drive from Boise. We hope you found this article helpful and inspiring. There's lots of unique camping adventures to explore in our beautiful state. If there’s an experience we didn't cover, that's one of your favs, let us know. Our community loves swapping info with other adventurers and learning from each other.

Our own, Melissa Dawson, coaching one of her daughters on the wall at the Thinking Spot, in McCall, Idaho We’re Freeman and Melissa Dawson. Our love of the outdoors is one of the main reasons we sell vehicles that can get people out on adventures of their own. Climbing is an outdoor sport we enjoy as a family. We first climbed together on Thanksgiving Day in 2005, when we were in college. Over the years we’ve added four daughters to our family, and now we all love to get out there and experience different climbing locations together. If you’re looking for a fun family activity, we’ve listed three of our favorite climbing spots and included some inside info so you can plan ahead and get the most out of your first or next climbing adventure. Most indoor climbing gyms have equipment you can rent, but if you’re going climbing outdoors for the first time, renting ropes and harnesses isn’t really an option. To buy climbing gear locally, we recommend checking out Boise Gear Collective for new and used gear, or REI typically has decent prices for everything you’ll need. Also, if you’re not familiar with the difficulty rating system climbers use, check out this helpful guide so you can try routes at your skill level. more Thinking Spot Location: McCall // Difficulty: 5.7-5.11 We started climbing here about eight years ago when we were camping and saw some people climbing the cliffs alongside the North Fork of the Payette River. To get here, you take Warren Wagon Road north around the west side of Payette Lake, turn right on Eastside Drive, and you can’t miss the huge rock formation.There are short top rope routes that are easy to set up and there’s a variety of terrain here ranging from easy to difficult, so our kids are able to learn and then push themselves further. In total, there’s about 23 routes, most of which is sport climbing with some traditional routes as well. There’s also some fun bouldering if you don’t have any belaying equipment. The views of the lake, mountains, and forests make this a scenic place to climb. Black Cliffs Location: Southeast Boise // Difficulty: 5.7-5.12 This place is right on the outskirts of Boise. It’s located on the north side of Highway 21 on the stretch of the road right before Lucky Peak. This place has tons of routes, about 250 in all, so you could climb here for days exploring new options. There’s some easy top roping, really easy routes, and some pretty challenging stuff too. If you plan to climb here during the summer, go in the morning when the routes are shaded. The dark basalt gets quite hot in the afternoon and can actually be painful to climb. During spring and fall, afternoon is best since the rock warms up with the afternoon sun.  This location is fun during the summer because you can climb in the morning and cool down at Lucky Peak in the afternoon, for a fun day of outdoor adventure. City of Rocks Location: Southern Idaho, above Utah Border // Difficulty: 5.7-5.12 This place is a climber’s paradise. To get here, drive east on I-84 to Burley, then head south on Highway 27 through Oakley. There’s plenty of traditional, sport, toprope, boulder, and aid climbing here (about 570 routes in total). Some of the routes are pretty long and you can spend plenty of time in a harness exploring the terrain. Before it was renowned by climbers, pioneers heading west on the Oregon Trail passed through here. They wrote their names and dates with axle grease on some of the rock formations. Many of these names and dates can still be seen today. Since this is located south of Burley, we recommend planning ahead and reserving a camping spot if you want to climb here. You’re only allowed to camp in designated areas. If you’re planning to travel near the area, we recommend setting aside at least half a day to check it out. We hope you found this article helpful and inspiring. There's a wide variety of rock climbing options all over the Boise area and beyond, so get out there and explore some for yourself. If there’s a spot you like that The Dawson's didn't cover, let us know. Our community loves swapping stories and info with other adventurers and learning from each other.