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.

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4 Unique Idaho Camping Experiences

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. 

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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.

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I’m Kyle Mattson, a member of the service team here at Maverick Car Company, and I’m obsessed with mountain biking.

This obsession of mine started when I was a kid riding my cheap Walmart bike around Ponderosa State Park in McCall. In junior high, I started riding dirt bikes, but by the end of high school, I transitioned to mountain biking. I loved how mountain biking put me in a different zone. Mountain bikes are quiet compared to dirt bikes. You can stop and enjoy the views and sounds of nature when you’re not shredding down the trail.

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Our own, Kyle Wilson, at the summit of, you guessed it, Borah Peak; the highest point in Idaho, and one of only three mountains above 12k feet. 

I’m Ryan Thorne, part of the Marketing Team here at Maverick Car Company, and I love hiking.

As an Idaho native, I’ve always been mesmerized by the beauty and isolation our state has to offer, and the great thing is, activities like hiking are absolutely free (besides gas and food 😉). Living in Boise puts us within driving distance of some epic wilderness and city hiking trails, and if you’re new to hiking or recently relocated to the Gem State, you should get out there and explore.

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Adventure in the great outdoors is at the core of what makes Idaho such an amazing place to live. Sharing outdoor experiences with a four-legged companion makes life here even better. But, what do you do when you can’t get out of “the burbs,” and you still want to blow off some steam with the pup? We’ve got you covered with helpful resources so you can make the most of your day-to-day “city” life with your best friend.

In this article, we’ve mapped out the 5 Must-Visit Boise Dog Parks you should go explore and we’ve curated some gear to help you transport your furry friend to and from the dog park, or wherever your adventures take you.

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Trucks are as American as apple pie. Like vanilla ice-cream pairs with that classic fruit pastry, trucks also pair well with a tow package. If you’re looking to invest in a boat, snowmobiles, or a side-by-side, you’re going to have a hard time towing in the family minivan.

Buying a truck is serious business, and looking at each truck class’ towing capacity will help you make the right decision when it’s time to visit a dealership. To help with that choice, we looked at three top-selling trucks in each class from 2016-2021, compared their towing capacity, and had our Maverick truck gurus, Service Manager Rich Wilson and Service Advisor Jesse Lawson, make their recommendation from each class.

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Trucks are as American as apple pie. Like vanilla ice-cream pairs with that classic fruit pastry, trucks also pair well with a tow package. If you’re looking to invest in a boat, snowmobiles, or a side-by-side, you’re going to have a hard time towing in the family minivan.

Buying a truck is serious business, and looking at each truck class’ towing capacity will help you make the right decision when it’s time to visit a dealership. To help with that choice, we looked at three top-selling trucks in each class from 2016-2021, compared their towing capacity, and had our Maverick truck gurus, Service Manager Rich Wilson and Service Advisor Jesse Lawson, make their recommendation from each class.

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There’s never been a time in human history where travel has been easier. We have powerful computers in our pocket with the ability to help plan and execute any adventures we can imagine. Developers have created apps to help save travelers money, find the best routes to their destinations, and help find memorable locations where they can rest and take in the sights and sounds.

If you’re planning the road trip of a lifetime, or you’re just looking to get out of town for the weekend, we created a list of helpful apps for you and your vehicle, so your adventure can be even more fun!

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Our very own Melissa Dawson tackling some terrain near McCall, Idaho.

Hi Everyone! We’re excited to bring you Week 5 of our Summer Adventure series. This series is meant to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer.

As a reminder, our goals for each article are to:

1. Equip & Inspire – Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic.

2. Dive Deeper – Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure.

3. Support Local – We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Everyone! We’re excited to bring you Week 4 of our Summer Adventure series. This series is meant to inform and equip you with useful resources for making the most of this summer.

As a reminder, our goals for each article are to:

1. Equip & Inspire – Each article will be specifically crafted to outfit you and your vehicle for the given topic.

2. Dive Deeper – Though some of the recommendations will be straightforward, we’ll also include products you’ve never thought of or know much about, but can have an impact on your adventure.

3. Support Local – We’re a local small business and want to support other local small businesses. That said, we also want to give you options, so we’ll include both a local business and an online outlet for you to choose from.

Read the rest of this entry »