One of the first joint excursions my wife, Meredith, and I took was to the McCall Winter Carnival. Even though over 60,000 people attend the event every year, it felt like we were all by ourselves. As we roamed the streets, looking at the massive snow sculptures, we were transported to another world. To use a phrase from a classic song, we were “walking in a winter wonderland.”
A few years later, we were married and had two kids. Given how much we enjoyed the carnival, we figured they would as well. Avy and Jett were amazed by what they saw. Sculptures as big as a truck are impressive to adults, but to kids, they are borderline magical. Now that Max has joined the family, we’re hoping to make another trip up to McCall this year. He may not be old enough to understand the effort and time that goes into the sculptures, but we’re certain he’ll have a great time all the same.
Being able to attend one-of-a-kind events like these is part of what makes Idaho so appealing. I may be a little biased — I was born and raised in the Gem State, after all — but I would say we live in one of the greatest places in the country. From pristine wilderness and outdoor adventures to quaint towns and burgeoning cities, Idaho truly has it all. The problem is that I just don’t have the time to take part in all the activities that catch my eye, especially as work gets busier and my family grows larger.
“I may be a little biased — I was born and raised in the Gem State, after all — but I would say we live in one of the greatest places in the country.”
I guess I should file that complaint under “good problems to have.” Every corner of our state has secrets waiting to be discovered, and it will take us years to cross everything off our Idaho bucket list. As the kids get a little older, we’ll be able to tackle some of the more rugged terrain. In my experience, the most scenic places take a little work to trek through. As soon as Max can handle it, you can bet we’ll be camping and hiking with him in tow.
There are a few places that are near and dear to my heart that I cannot wait to share with my family. Given that I grew up in Rexburg, eastern Idaho and Wyoming are home to many of these locales. As a kid, I used to ski at the Grand Targhee Resort, and I want to introduce that pastime to the next generation of Thomasons. I also have fond memories of Grand Teton National Park. In fact, it was on a fishing trip on the Teton River that I made the decision to pursue dentistry.
The pleasures of exploring our state and the surrounding areas are something I don’t take for granted. I feel lucky that Meredith and I are able to raise our children in such a spectacular place. Now, it’s just a matter of making sure they get to experience the best of it.
Before I go, I want to wish Meredith a happy Valentine’s Day. She’s my valentine every day of the year, but I would be remiss if I didn’t include a little shoutout to her. She is the greatest person I’ve ever known, and I don’t know where I’d be without her.