Idaho, USA
The Gem State (43)
Capitol: Boise
Admitted into Union: July 3, 1890
State Flower: Syringa
State Tree: White Pine
State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
Population: 1.4 million

Rugged travel companion: In 1805, explorers Lewis and Clark set out to find the Northwest Passage, a hoped-for water route from the Midwest to the Pacific Ocean. By the time they crossed the Bitterroot Mountains in Idaho, they knew there was no navigable water route, but they boldly pressed on. When you set out on a quest—major or minor—take along the Idaho Explorer and arrive with style.

Not what you think. Though often believed an Indian word, Idaho is an invented name of unknown origin.

Rocky Mountain candy store: Of the lower 48 states, Idaho has the largest wilderness area, the most mountain ranges, and the most miles of whitewater rivers. Grangeville, in north central Idaho, is an explorer’s dream—the gateway to five wilderness areas and four national forests totaling 5.5 million acres.

Idaho gems: Hell's Canyon is the deepest gorge in America. Shoshone Falls, nicknamed The Niagara of the West, spills over a 212-foot drop near Twin Falls. Birds of Prey Wildlife Area is home to the world's densest population of nesting eagles, hawks, and falcons.

Meat and potatoes: Missionary Henry Spalding planted the first spuds in Idaho to help the Nez Perce Indians replace the diminishing buffalo supply. The Indians, who had never farmed before, far exceeded Spalding in skill and ended up driving out the white man from their home.

Tater Jamboree! Shelley has hosted Idaho’s annual Spud Day festival since 1927. The highlight is the tug of war contest, held over a pit of mashed potatoes (Russets, of course).

Precious metals: In 1860, the discovery of gold in the Nez Perce Reservation launched Idaho’s mining industry and a huge migration. In 1885, silver was found in the Coeur d’Alene mining district. In 100 years, it produced over 1 billion ounces.

Simply superlative. The Morning Star is one of deepest mines in the US. Bunker Hill is the largest underground one, and the Sunshine was the richest single silver mine, producing over 300 million ounces.

From Hell to Paradise: Seven Devils’ Peaks, one of the highest mountain ranges in Idaho, includes Heaven’s Gate Lookout, where sightseers can look into four states.
Smile when you say that. In Idaho, riding a merry-go-round on Sundays is considered a crime. It is also illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than 50 pounds. One may not fish from a camel’s back, and in Boise, one may not fish from a giraffe’s back, either. In Pocatello, it’s illegal to be seen in public without a smile on one’s face.

Famous Idahoans: Joe Albertson, Gutzon Borglum, Carol R. Brink, Frank F. Church, Vardis Fisher, Lawrence H. Gipson, Ernest Hemingway, Mariel Hemingway, Chief Joseph, Harmon Killebrew, Ezra Pound, Sacagawea, Frank Steunenberg, Picabo Street, Lana Turner