proud to be an american {& an idahoan]

Ahh. I returned tonight from a four-day weekend of pure bliss. I feel revived and... (I suppose) ready to return to work tomorrow.

Why was my weekend SO fantastic?! Because I spent the 4th of July weekend in Idaho!

I am convinced that Idaho is THE most patriotic state in the union. Why? Well, I'm glad you asked. For starters, Idaho Falls, my home town (with a population of only about 60,000) had the second best fireworks in the nation this year!

Yep. It's true. We ranked over NYC, Boston, and all the other big cities. Wow. We had always been rumored to have the best show West of the Mississippi...but now we're the second best in the whole country? That is awesome.

While I did not actually catch the I.F. fireworks this year (I did last year though--and it was as great as it always is), my family spent the 3rd and 4th of July at our cabin in Victor, Idaho. We attended the Victor 4th of July parade (on the 3rd). Then later that evening, my family attended a large Independence Day celebration in Driggs, Idaho.

Jon Huntsman, Sr. (originally from Idaho) and his family own a lot of land in Teton Valley. They hosted a big fireworks show on their property (there were an estimated 6,000 people in attendance) and had Glenn Beck come and speak about the history of our nation. I know that Glenn Beck is a controversial icon these days. I am neutral on the subject. But his speech was surprisingly not too one-sided. He spoke about the history of our nation and what it means to him to be an American.

After Beck spoke there was a fantastic fireworks show that was synced to music and audio clips of famous speeches that past presidents have delivered.

It was touching.

It was stirring.

It made me remember why I am proud to be an American.

During the course of the rest of the weekend, I found myself reminded over and over again of why Idaho is so great. I've heard all the jokes. I've seen all the wrinkled noses and smirks as people tease me about being from Idaho.

But all jokes aside...what is not to love about Idaho?

As I drove from Salt Lake to Idaho Falls last Thursday night after work, I was awed at the beauty of the rolling green hills that go on forever in the Devil Creek Reservoir area near the Utah border. Wow.

As my family and I drove around Victor and Driggs in the Teton Valley over the weekend, I was, again, awed at the beauty of my surroundings. Our cabin has a perfect view of the Tetons. What majestic mountains they are. I was also so in love with the never-ending farm fields and the lush greenery that filled my view in every direction. I was humbled by the simple beauty.

As my mother and I drove back to my parents' house after spending time at the cabin, the road from Victor to Idaho Falls again captured my heart. I loved seeing the Snake River winding its way through the mountains and forests and farm fields. Wow. Such beauty.

Sunday evening, my mom and grandma and I took a drive to Wolverine Canyon. Again, wow.
So my heart was captured over the weekend. And I was reminded of why my home state is so great. And although many people joke and turn up their noses when I proudly say that I am from Idaho, I don't care. I'm an Idaho girl and I'm proud of it.

Idaho is still so raw and untouched. It is pure. It is simple. And it will always be home.

I am grateful to live in a country that is free. I am thankful to those who continue to fight for that freedom. I am forever indebted to a God who made this all possible. And I am proud to be an American.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

P.S. I also attended my ten-year high school reunion over the weekend. Haha. More on that later...