18 Signs You've Been Away From Idaho for Too Long

3. You begin to realize it’s maybe not normal for people to jump off bridges.

The Perrine Bridge, which spans the Snake River canyon to link Twin Falls and Jerome counties, is a world-class destination for BASE jumpers. It’s the only man-made structure in the world off which BASE jumpers can jump any day of the year without a permit. Locals driving across the bridge don’t think twice when someone scales the railing onto the jumping platform in the middle, because when the conditions are right it’s typical to see dozens of jumps in a single day.

4. You miss the sense of community at the Twin Falls County Fair.

The main events are the carnival rides, PRCA rodeo, a country music concert, and a monster truck show… but the locals know to go see the hypnotist on the free stage and to stuff their faces with an elephant ear, elk burger, Wheeler Family corn dog, or a dozen fresh mini donuts. Going to the fair was always like a class reunion and family reunion rolled into one; you’re always sure to run into your 5th grade best friend’s mom as she’s on her way to see if her apple pie entry won any ribbons.

5. You actually start to miss the Boise State Bronco Football hype.

August always marked the beginning of the hard-core Bronco football fandom, with vehicles being adorned with blue and orange flags, and the Bronco logo plastered on everything from coffee mugs to hats. The Smurf Turf is a common sight on many a television screen during football season. Even if you’re not a football fan, you can’t help but feel a burst of pride when you think back to Ian Johnson and that two point conversion.

6. You eat fries just to have fry sauce.

It doesn’t take any true Idahoan long to start missing this pink unofficial state condiment. Fry sauce (a mayo-ketchup mix) is so ubiquitous with Idahoan diners and fast food-joints (McDonald’s even had their own fry sauce line in the ‘90s), that it’s easy to forget that you now have to request both mayonnaise and ketchup with your fries so you can make your own.

7. You realize not every radio station is as great as KSKI.

The Sun Valley-based radio station airs a wide range of artists from The Shins and Florence and the Machine to Nirvana and The Cure. Minimal advertising and unobtrusive DJs make KSKI the perfect radio station when you’re driving those long backcountry roads and just can’t take another Taylor Swift song.

8. You find and follow every half-decent Idaho Instagrammer.

You might not have ever personally rock climbed at City of Rocks, whitewater rafted down the Middle Fork, or snowshoed in the Sawtooths, but at least you know that if you were still back home, all those places were right out your backdoor. And THAT makes you proud to be Idahoan!

9. It’s a pain to camp anywhere close to your new home.

It was never unheard of for your Idaho friends call you at 6 pm on a Tuesday night to invite you to a last-minute overnight camping trip. An hour later you’re in the pine- and aspen-forested South Hills setting up the tent while someone else is starting a campfire with some leftover gasoline they found in a container in the back of their dad’s pick-up truck. Camping in Idaho doesn’t have to be a big production with RVs and generators — it’s often best with just a campfire, some beer, and spontaneity.

10. You realize that snow cones suck everywhere else.

No one knows for certain when those small, white Snoasis Shaved Ice shacks open for the season, so the sight of customers waiting outside for their orders causes many passersby to veer into the nearest parking lot driveway for an Ocean Sunrise or Strawberries and Cream. The previous cash-only prices had been so low that it was possible to scrounge up the loose change in your car for a cup of sugary shaved icy goodness served with a spoon straw (ah, those were the days!).

11. You really, really want to ride a horse.

Even if you’ve never so much as touched a horse before, it doesn’t matter. Visions of your hair blowing in the wind as you expertly lope your steed through the countryside now fill your mind.

12. You refuse to drink inferior lemonade.

The burnt lemonade from The Burnt Lemon Grill is where it’s at. Add in the fact that you get one free refill and 2-5 pm is lemonade happy hour, and there’s really no reason to drink lemonade anywhere else.

13. Halloween just isn’t scary anywhere else.

Southern Idaho does Halloween right with attractions like The Haunted Swamp, complete with its very own headless horseman and the Haunted Mansions of Albion, an abandoned college that’s been resurrected as a haunted house with killer special effects. You, proud Idahoan, don’t even flinch when being chased through a corn maze by someone with a real chainsaw.

14. You google natural hot springs in your new area only to be sorely disappointed.

Idaho is geologically downwind from Yellowstone, one of the most famous volcanic hot spots in the country. As a result we get some of the best natural hot springs in the world. While it’s easier to relax in mineral rich swimming pools like the ones found at Miracle Hot Springs and Thousand Springs Resort, the real adventure lies in finding the natural ones that sometimes require a quarter-mile hike through the snow in nothing but a swimsuit and towel to make your own rock bathing pool that’s the perfect balance of boiling hot spring water and fresh mountain river water.

15. In fact, you’re basically bored with the underwhelming amount of geological features to explore in your new home.

Where are the unmarked lava tubes for afternoon spelunking, day hikes to virtually unknown waterfalls and lakes, or ice cave tours? You’d even accept a side-of-the-road attraction like Malad Gorge at this point.

16. You’re a little confused by the lack of ghost towns in your new area.

Then again, not every place was settled by cowboys, ranchers, and miners looking to make a better life for themselves only to be moving on to the next big rush or back to the big cities.

17. You would pay obscene amounts of money for a taste of Cloverleaf ice cream again.

You may have been a little sore when Cloverleaf Creamery moved into the old pink Smith’s Dairy building in Buhl and did away with the potato ice cream, but Cloverleaf quickly won you back with their 24 flavors of ice cream made with milk from their own herd of cows. Taste the love.

18. You almost wish you could watch the 10 o’clock news on KMVT.

On paper, KMVT might seem like the perfect way to keep in touch with your hometown, because the majority of air time is dedicated to community happenings and local sports stats with a handful of national headlines. Okay, let’s be honest, here. With its atrociously poor production value and even worse local commercials, KMVT is the one thing you’re actually glad you left behind.