my own private Idaho

We went to Idaho to visit family for the holidays. When I was a child Idaho sounded impossibly remote to me. I lived in the Oregon woods but in Idaho I was sure the trees were taller, disappearing into the blue, the shaggy dark green branches, covered in snow like heavy frosting and drifts so deep one had to tunnel out for months at a time. Now when I drive to my in-laws from the airport we pass Borders, Target, the Olive Garden. Everywhere feels like everywhere. On our return to Oakland my 7 year old daughter points out TJ Maxx. " They have that in Idaho." "Yup, they do."