21. Idaho

I think Idaho has some of the most pretty landscapes in the country. Yet, it only lands here at 21 when nearly all states it borders are higher. Why is that?

Idaho kinda inches toward the territory of being one of the most outwardly antagonistic states to non-white, non-straight, non-cis people in the country, and I can’t help but feel pretty uncomfortable whenever I’m in the state. Don’t get me wrong, some of my favorite people in the world are from Idaho, but there haven’t been many places in the state, especially in the population centers where I didn’t feel uncomfortable for having my identity. How can I really enjoy my time in the state if it’s a misdemeanor any time I want to use a public restroom?

Sandpoint, ID, 2002

Well I’ll tell you how I can! The trick is to stay away from most population centers! Once you go into the wilderness in Idaho, you can start to put those blues behind you. The mountain regions and pretty much everything in the panhandle are some of the greatest wilderness in the country. Pristine waters, gorgeous mountains, and dense forests. I can’t think of many better places to hike or float a river. I was particularly wowed by Sandpoint and Lake Pond Oreille, such an incredible location for one of the deepest lakes in the country nestled right in such a mountainous area.

But, man, every time I need to go into a city like Boise or Coeur d’Alene, I feel like I am unwelcome there and it’s always a rush to get back to the country or out of the state entirely. And I feel like this sense of discomfort is even greater than I’d feel in many other states with similar politics. And I’m not 100% sure that’s warranted, maybe I need to spend more time there, but for me, it’s just the feeling I get.

Idaho is a state that has the potential to be so much higher, alas, it lands here at 21st.