Musings about Idaho and Snowcones

That's right, snowcones.  This was a decent weekend, and I think it's finally safe to say that it's warm-season in Idaho.  Maybe not quite summer, but warm enough to bask in the sunlight.

One thing I love about the summer season is the wide selection of sweets and treats to cool you down.  My favorite growing up was a sweet, sticky snow cone.  They were fun to make, but you would only see a snowcone stand once in a blue moon.

Well, in Idaho, snowcone stands are EVERYWHERE.  And I love it.  Sorry California, this is one advantage-point to Idaho.  (But don't worry, you're still winning the overall game by about 164 to 3.)

The stands are practically on every corner.  They are to Idaho Falls what a Starbucks is to, well, almost anywhere else.  On a warm Saturday afternoon, there is usually a good-sized crowd of people gathered around these fine establishments.

Stands vary in size, appearance, and variety.  There are stands with dozens of different varieties, and five sizes to choose from.  Others only offer 10 selections and two sizes.  Like snowflakes, no two stands are alike.  Which just adds to the charm.

What's amusing is the fact these stands are up year-round.  They're usually only open from May until September, but they're tempting and teasing you for all 12 months.  These small, rickety buildings look small enough to move (most are like 6x6 feet...) but there they are, permanent fixtures.

In my opinion, these things are widely popular for two reasons:

1 - There are no 7-Elevens in town, so Slurpees, Icees and the like are in short supply.  There are only one or two gas stations that offer these, and it may be because the snowies have the market cornered.

2 - I'm all about small businesses, and so is Idaho.  These are independent shops run by locals.  When you spend your money at a local shop instead of a mass-market, it always makes you smile a little.

I haven't had my first snowcone of the season yet, but it will happen soon.  I haven't had a snowcone in ages, and am looking forward to trying as many flavors as I can before the weather starts to cool again.  That, and the sticky blue fingers, of course.

Summer ain't what it used to be...

It is now early June, and for the majority of the Northern Hemisphere, it means we are firmly planting ourselves into summer.  Time to fire up the grills, get out the frozen treats, and listen for the ice cream man coming down the street.

I currently have 90 cents in change.  I wonder what I could get with that?  If I'm lucky, maybe one of those Ninja Turtle ice cream bars with the gumball eyes...  oh wait, this isn't 1988.

I am used to Summer in southern California.  Down in SoCal, summer would typically run from March until early November.  You could expect temps in the 80's and beyond (like 117 beyond) for most of the year, and I loved it.  Yes, I'm a bit overweight.  Yes, I'm carrying around a little extra insulation.  But still... give me the sun, the heat, and the feelings of a true summer.

One thing I miss about California summers are the beaches.

I lived about 45 minutes away from Huntington Beach, and loved heading out to bake in the sand and surf.  Nothing beats the sound of waves crashing into the sand, the seagulls flying in the air, and the happy laughter from the droves of beachgoers.

I miss taking my two sons to the beach.  My older feared the waves but loved the sand and sun.  My younger loved going out into the ocean with daddy, and crashing into the waves.  I could listen to him go "Here comes... a little one!! ...KWASH...  Here comes... a BIG one!! ...KWASH..." for hours on end.

Being a red-blooded male, I also miss the eye candy.  Scores of women in bikinis.  Tan, toned, and everywhere.  When you grow up around this, you take it for granted.  Now that I am hundreds of miles from any ocean, I miss it.

(It took me long enough, but I now understand why Idaho men were so riled up last fall when a bikini bar opened up in town.  When you're cleavage-deprived, it plays games with your mind...)

Not only do I miss the beach, I miss summer in general.

This is a screenshot of current weather conditions in Eastern Idaho.  This last weekend had *one* good grill-worthy day.  Other than that, we haven't officially started summer.

June or not, 40's and 50's are not summer temperatures.  I want 80's.  90's.  I want to smell sunscreen on people.  I want to feel the a/c blowing in my car.  I want to see kids running through sprinklers in their lawns.

I want to be able to wash my car on Sunday, and not have 'surprise thunderstorms' pop up on Monday.

Can it be summer in Idaho now?  Please?