A trip to Meridian, Idaho reveals a very different type of desert

My beautiful wife Laureen and I decided to travel to Idaho recently. To the city of Meridian, to be more specific, to meet our brand-new grandson. We also wanted to spend some quality time with our daughter and son-in-law, but truly it was really to see our grandson.

We’ve met our daughter and son-in-law before.

“I’m so excited to meet Eli for the first time,” Laureen said.

I nodded. I was too and had decided to drive to Meridian instead of fly to spend a bit of time along the road to see what we could see.

We like the journey.

At the time, mid-grade gasoline was hovering around $200 per gallon. So, a few days before the journey, I cashed in some life insurance policies so we could afford the fuel for the trip.

“You know,” Laureen said, “Hotels are going to be expensive too.”

“Hotels? Yes,” I replied while discreetly tossing the two bedrolls back into the closet.

The city of Meridian is just west of Boise and is the second-largest city in Idaho. Meridian is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.

That could be because of the business-friendly atmosphere, the lush huge green spots, the pet-friendly parks, the people-friendly parks, the long green-belt walkway beside the Boise River, and so much more.

I did a lot of pondering on this and believe people are flocking to this town in Ada County for one compelling reason.

That reason: Meridian is home to the largest Albertsons supermarket in the world.

Enough said, besides meeting the new grandson — I was going shopping.

Meridian was established in 1891 at a place known as the Onweiler farm, just north of the present site of the city. In 1893, a I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) was organized and named their lodge Meridian after realizing its location was on the Boise Meridian.

In 1903 the founding community of Meridian was incorporated.

In all transparency, I don’t know much about the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but found it odd that an organization would come up with that name.

“Let’s come up with something unique,” someone may have suggested.

“How about Independent Order of Cool Dudes?” another may have answered.

“Fellas, that sounds rather odd,” came the reply.

“OK, let’s go with that.”

The city of Meridian is supposed to be semi-arid, sort of like the desert. The Cascade and Blue Mountain Ranges in Oregon and Washington stop most of the moisture coming in from the Pacific Ocean, so not as much rain falls as it does in those regions. The Rocky Mountains to the east also stop much of the major winter storms that plague the country east of the high and long mountain range, allowing Meridian a rather mild winter.

“It says right here,” Laureen said while looking at a travel book, “That Meridian and Boise are in a high desert.”

I shook my head. “These folks don’t have a clue what a high desert is. Look at all that greenery.”

As we drove through various parts of the city, tree-lined avenues were everywhere. People walk their dogs and cats through knee-high grassy public areas. Children cavorted through parks filled with tree after tree, and teenagers sat at picnic tables texting each other.

“I don’t like it here,” I said.

“What?” Laureen asked, incredulous.

“It’s too green, and it’s not even a real desert,” I replied. “Where’s the dirt, the never-ending blowing wind throwing tumbleweeds into the path of cars, the Joshua Trees, which reminded me of my grandmother’s friends? Desert — bah, humbug.”

“Sounds as though you are a bit jealous of all the trees and greenery.”

And to add more salt to my jealous nerves —  the valley in which Meridian sits is called Treasure Valley.

“And I bet they don’t have any treasure to search for,” I uttered.

In all transparency, Meridian is a very pretty town that grew from a small village into the vibrant and successful city it is today.

Meridian is home to the Scentsy company — known worldwide, and in the Beyer household, as being a company that produces wonderfully fragranced wax that is warmed in various shaped light warmers. My study has two warmers —  a pug and a vacation trailer.

Having them warm up a lovely concoction of something wafting in the air makes me a better writer. Perhaps, more should be warmed the next time I sit behind the keyboard.

The Idaho State Police Academy is in Meridian, and the health provider is Blue Cross.

Per some stuff I read and listen to our daughter Kelly and her husband Travis, technology companies are moving into Idaho at a record speed —  not sure what a record speed truly means. Still, many tech giants are relocating to Meridian.

“I just drove by that vacant lot yesterday,” someone was overheard saying, “and now there is a zillion square foot building with a bunch of techie nerds running around.”

That would be a speedy record, indeed.

And again, it is home to the largest Albertsons in the world. It’s huge, and I mean huge.

The grocery store opened in March of 2019 and is 100,010 square feet of shopping heaven.

According to Supermarket News — yes, that’s an actual publication, ‘Albertson's retail innovation is in full force at two of its marquee stores: the Albertsons Market Street in Meridian, Idaho, and the Safeway supermarket in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.’

I looked up the term marquee and was surprised to learn that it is a large tent for an outdoor party, reception, or exhibition. Or a permanent canopy, often of metal and glass projecting over an entrance.

That didn’t sound quite right.

The third definition was the treasure I was searching for, turns out it is a business term that means the ‘flagship asset’ or ‘crown jewel.’ This Albertsons is just that — the big bomba in the food chain.

Inside those thousands of square feet, a full bar with adult libations called Talon Tap and Spirits can be found, as well as a restaurant-styled food court, a walk-in wine cellar, and so wide varieties of cheese from all over the place it would take a week to taste each one, and so much more to offer the shopper.

I sidled up to the old Talon Top and Spirits and ordered an adult libation.

“Can I carry this through the store?” I asked the bartender.

“Of course. Pleasant shopping.”

I told her I was never going home after meeting Laureen by the glass walk-in wine cellar.

They also have a section called big pet supplies. I did not venture into that store area since we had recently watched ‘Jurassic World: Dominion.’

Cheese, bread, seafood, and other tastings are located all around the store. So many tastings that the sound of smacking lips nearly drowned out the gulps from the variety of drinks being tossed back at the bar.

The store even has live entertainment. Various musicians will play everything from Rock N Roll to Bach. Since we were there in the early afternoon, we had a chance to sit in front of a band called the Rolling Stones, or perhaps it was Tumbling Pebbles. In all truth, I cannot remember the group's name — but the lead singer did have moves like Jagger.

A few hours later, Laureen whispered: “It is time to go.”

“Why?”

“We told the kids we’d be over right after visiting the store.”

I nodded. “Yes, a parent’s duties do come first.” Off for another day with our grandson.

Later, it was suggested that we visit the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, which sits on the edge of the Boise River. The nearly one-acre park was created in 2002 and is based on the young girl's belief in humanity, even in her desperate situation during the Holocaust.

The memorial's purpose is to ‘promote respect for human dignity and diversity through education and to foster individual responsibility to work for justice and peace.’

It is a beautiful place. Long paths meandering through natural rock walls with quotations from world-renowned people to folks not so well known — all speaking to the fact that all of us can be better to each other.

Waterfalls, babbling brooks, and native plants give the entire memorial a relaxing but, at the same time, soul-searching atmosphere.

Perhaps, if we tried a bit harder — we could become nicer and more respectful to each other.

It is a sobering place — but one that should be experienced.

Is Meridian worth visiting? Only if the traveler wants to see blue skies, greenery in every direction, crystal clear rivers meandering here and there, historical sites, and the largest Albertsons in the world.

Then, the answer would be a definite yes.

Email John R. Beyer at beyersbyways@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: A trip to Meridian, Idaho reveals a very different type of dessert