Now that we're settled in Seattle, I thought it would be a good time to write my favorite memories and highlights of our home in Idaho.
Before we moved, I certainly did my fair share of complaining about Idaho. But looking back, I realize how many amazing memories and blessings those eighteen months were for Phil and me. So, for future posterity's sake, here are the best parts of Moscow, ID.
- The People! I think this may be true in about every place I've lived, but the people we met in Idaho are such dear friends to me now. Everyone from Phil's classmates to our ward (especially my beautiful young women class) to our WWAMI moms... All incredible! I can't imagine my life without these beautiful souls.
- The Food. Is it bad that I'm putting this second on the list? Seriously though, Moscow (as with most college towns) had some of the best restaurants ever! Still no Cafe Rio, but maybe someday... And nothing beats living about four minutes away from a Win Co.
- The Small Town Charm. Locally owned restaurants, bookstores, consignment shops. Moscow really had the small town charm going for it. Where can you still find a town with a travel agency right next to a video store? Or a town that holds an entire celebration just for lentils? Like a good old fashioned blast from the past.
- The Pastoral Panoramas. The U of I campus highlighted all things rural, from a beautiful, secluded arboretum, to a barn, to a pasture with sheep. I'll definitely miss our family walks to see the little lambs.
Now, while Moscow had many endearing qualities, it certainly had some quirks that made life interesting.
- Trucks and Subarus. This town certainly had a stark divide. Phil and I called it the truck or Subaru division. There's the Second Amendment defenders driving their trucks and wearing their Wranglers, who live right next door to the Sanders supporting, Birkenstock wearing, recycling gang. Polar opposites that don't seem to get along, and yet they seem to peacefully co-exist.
- Snow Plowing Optional. I'm not sure how anyone drives during winter in Moscow. Plowing the streets and parking lots seems to be a low priority. As in, our parking lot got plowed maybe once the entire winter, and the streets by our apartment wouldn't get plowed until they were packed into ice... In which case plowing simply becomes scraping marks into the top layer of the ice. Oh, and they don't use salt, so the ice is there to stay until spring.
- One Way Streets. I've never been in a town where driving was more confusing. Maybe I got too used to the grid system in Utah. But I could still easily get lost in Moscow (especially on the side streets). Tell me this, who really thinks a one way street is a good idea anyway?
Oh Moscow... You're full of such great memories.
