to Idaho & back

I've just touched down from a visit to Idaho, where an associate and I were documenting historic structures for the Minidoka Internment Camp. The trip was busy but productive, and rural Idaho was in peak early-summer form. The desert was green and blooming, the skies were wide and blue, and the rivers were full. The camp itself is a sad reminder of our recent history and a testament to what folks placed in rough situations can overcome.

Carin and I had a few interesting encounters while we were there. For instance, after we landed at the airport we went to the rental car place to pick up our car. I asked the woman behind the counter to add me as a driver, and she asked if we (my very pregnant co-hort and I) were spouses. We just stared at her and she paused, then asked, "Ah, or coworkers?". We got a chuckle out of that one.

Out of the two buildings we surveyed one was the former Mess Hall, which was relocated to the local fair grounds after WWII and used as a community canning operation. The building (now out of commission and used as storage) was full of remnants from its canning hay-days and included some interesting signage, like this message:

Don't we all wish we could formalize sentiments like that sometimes? Anyway, I anticipate more work travel this summer, including visits to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Mt. Rainier National Park.

Documenting old buildings is dirty work. Here's a list of what every lady architect should pack when on the road for business in rural locals (you know I can't miss a good opportunity to make a list, and this is one I should remember):

Equipment
- tape measures (30' & 100')
- flash light (or head lamp)
- clip board & notepad (with rubberband for windy situations)
- multiple colored pens (black, red, green, blue)
- camera & extra batteries
- laptop (only bring that heavy contraption if you know you're going to use it)

Clothes
- brimmed hat
- sun glasses
- gloves
- head bands/rubber bands/hair pins
- layered tops
- light-weight pants that dry quickly (mine were men's hiking pants from Eddie Bauer & Columbia, which fit surprisingly well)
- work boots
- flip flops & a change of clothes for dinner
*I'd add a fanny pack to the list, because I know it would be useful, but I think I'd loose friends if I did

Food & Drinks
- water bottles (leak proof!)
- gatorade
- snacks for in the field (granola bars, trail mix)
- snacks for hotel (chocolate, tea, instant oatmeal in case the hotel doesn't serve breakfast)

Other
- business cards
- sun screen
- baby wipes & hand sanitizer
- first aid kit
- Nyquil to help with sleep

Here's to being prepared.