STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
There was a time that the aspen trees around Sun Valley served as diaries—records left behind by Basque sheepherders.
Carving their names and the dates of when they camped in an area gave them a way to say, “I was here” while taking part in the oft lonely profession of sheepherding.
Sometimes they even carved pictures into the bark of the trees—from the church that was important to their lives to a self-portrait of themselves on horseback.
Learn about the thousands of tree carvings left behind and the insight they provide into the immigrant community when Boise State University History Professor John Bieter presents a free slide presentation on the subject from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Hailey Public Library.
The presentation is titled: “Speaking Through the Aspens: Basque Arborglyphs in Idaho.”