But in Portland, the sunsets come unexpectedly, tearing at the skies around the city, and giving a spectacular show.

Portland Sunset

Every so often, I have my camera ready when the sky issues a sneak-attack.  But most of the time, I just admire the shifting hues over the city skyline.

And when you do that at Leroy’s something even more special happens.  Leroy’s donates the profits back to the education of children in the community.

Leroy's Ice Cream

Now that’s an awesome idea.

First, its owner, Toni Deskins, quit her day job as a teacher to become an ice cream maker.  That’s pretty awesome.

Second, its flavors.  There’s hot fudge and circus animal.  And then there’s what I had:

Toni's Cupcake Ice Cream

Cupcake.

Those would be chunks of cupcake, frosting and sprinkles in there.  Toni scooped it up for me, herself.

Awesome and yummy.

I also like coffee.  The Hailey Coffee Co, in Hailey Idaho combines the two.  Not only can you get a fantastic cup of joe, you can entertain yourself while you wait, looking at the artwork and poetry carved into the plaster walls.

Hailey Coffee Co.

Caffeine and culture.  Awesome.

Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains

Okay, the folks who live in Southern Idaho are going to be displeased that I’ve shared this, but it really is one of the most awesome places I’ve ever been.

The Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho are beautiful.  Whenever I see pictures from Patagonia, or Alaska, or the Alps I think, “that looks like Idaho!”  All because of these mountains.  I grew up in these mountains, so I’m partial to them, but I know they’re awesome, because anytime I take someone to the top of Galena Summit to see them, all they can say is, “wow.”

The mountains are home to beautiful glacial lakes that reward determined hikers with frigid waters.   They’re a playground for those who love to backpack, backcountry ski, cross-country ski, fly fish and tons more.  They are stunningly, awesomely beautiful.

Bowl of Soul

An awesome combination of espresso, Mexican chocolate, fabulous spices and fresh, handmade whipped cream, the Bowl of Soul is so good that I got this response when I texted a picture of my bowl to a friend of mine in Oregon:

“You are CRUEL!”

One minute later:

“I want one!”

Another minute later:

“BOWL OF SOUL!”

So yummy, so awesome. BOWL OF SOUL!

Penny Hill

When I was a kid we’d take our sleds and hike halfway up Penny Hill, to the top of the first slope, and hurl ourselves down.  Cross-legged, head-first, on our knees.  Sometimes we’d hold hands and try to go in a chain – until someone flipped over, dragging everyone along.  Sometimes we’d look up the hill to the next peak, longing to climb to the top of the tallest.  Some of us climbed the big mountain.  But we only did it once.  The little hill wasn’t as showy, but it was predictable.  When you came down from the big hill, you couldn’t be sure if you’d stop, or run out onto the street.  Sometimes the most familiar things are the most awesome.

You can learn a lot on a sledding hill.

I have recently found a little restaurant in downtown Boise that is truly awesome, and frankly that’s hard to do in Idaho.

ALERT: IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN, YOU WILL FIND THIS PLACE DECIDEDLY UN-AWESOME.

The place is called Bar Gernika, and it’s a Basque restaurant and bar that serves amazing paella, lamb sandwiches/stew etc., and on Saturdays (wait for it….)they have Beef Tongue Saturday!!  Beef tongue sandwiches from 11:30 until they run out.

They serve Croquetas, which are fabulous little butter balls of fried deliciousness.  Also, this place is Basque not Mexican, so everything that says “tortilla” really means “omelet”.

The best part?  My sister, nephew and I ate lunch here last week.  Appetizers, paella, ice tea, bread and espressos for everybody for under $25.  Awesome.

Souper Supper Dining Room

Anywhere there is a need, there are people working to fill that need.  Souper Supper Dining Room is a soup kitchen that works to feed the hungry people of the Wood River Valley in Idaho.  Run by a dedicated team of volunteers, and staffed by community groups, the organization is operated on 100% donations and offers food twice a week to “anyone who is hungry, without question”.

Now that’s souper awesome.

(Donation details can be found on the “about” page of the Souper Supper website.)