Potholes

I remember several years ago, probably more since I have been in a time warp for the last fifteen years, the state of Idaho was thinking of changing the license plate slogan from "Famous Potatoes" to something else. People had a chance to submit their ideas in writing. One person suggested that the license plates say "Famous Potholes". At the time that slogan would have been a perfect picture of Idaho, or at least the Boise valley. It seemed like the roads were much worse years ago than they are now.

After living in Hawaii for almost 7 months now, I can let it be known via this wonderful blog, that the Idaho does not have the worst streets in the nation. I read in the paper that according to some experts (maybe it was AAA), Hawaii holds that claim. And having driven all over the island, my van can attest to this claim as well. The article in the paper also said one man had to have tires replaced on his car four different times. Ouch, that hurts -- for the car and the pocketbook.

We may not have grooves so deep in the interstate you'd think someone had tried transporting a Boeing jet from Boise to Caldwell, but there are holes, layers of pavement missing (where did it mysteriously go?), and big metal plates in scrupulous locations. It will be a miracle if we don't have to replace a tire on one of our cars, or maybe other parts that might fly off when we hit a hole going 60+.

The sorry shape of the roads around here is a joke to everyone, just as it was in Idaho back in the 80s (or maybe it was the 90s). I remember when I was in college it seemed like they were doing major road construction every where you tried to go. I guess some things don't change, eh? One of my buddies and I used to joke that they weren't really redoing the road, they were merely moving some pipes around.

One thing I am thankful for that Hawaii doesn't do yet Idaho seems to love doing is tar and feathering the road. Or, maybe that's not it. Oh, yeah...it's called chip and sealing the road. I guess calling it what it really is -- tar and laying rocks-that-will-inevitably-land-on-your-windshield, was too much of a risk for ACHD and the transportation department.