Discoveries…America: Idaho

Serving up the 48th entry in Jim and Kelly Watt's award-winning high-def-filmed Discoveries…America series, Idaho proves that the state is home to more than just spuds. Although Idaho does in fact produce nearly one-third of all U.S. potato crops, viewers may be surprised to learn that Idaho is, among other things, second only to Australia in sheep production, the site of the first nuclear reactor in the world to generate useable electricity, and the nation's first choice for ski sports. Idaho also features one of the harshest environments on Earth around the surreal Craters of the Moon National Monument, where over the course of a single day, temperatures range from 50 below zero to a soil temp of 178 Fahrenheit, while—incredibly—still supporting over 800 species of plants and 210 varieties of birds. Also covering a potato harvesting, a sheep parade, and the short history of the Teton Dam disaster in 1976, Idaho features additional segments on the U.S. mail boat delivery system along Hells Canyon (the deepest river gorge in America), the timber industry, and some primo sports fishing in the Snake River. Presenting a charming look at the Gem State, this is definitely recommended for travel collections. Aud: P. (N. Plympton)