“Don’t Californiacate Idaho” read our bumper stickers in 1999.

“To Most Idahoans, A Plague of Locusts Is Californians” read a headline in The Washington Post in 1979.

In Boise and beyond, the buzz is palpable. It’s the low hum of sky-rocketing home prices, boutique businesses, and bourgeouis affairs brought on by an infestation of newly-transplanted Californians.

An Idaho native, I’m torn. I love the energy in the air. I love the rock-solid soulmate surfer man California brought me. I love how delighted he is in my Idaho girl ways. But I feel I’m losing my grip on the land.

Up until he died, JR Simplot gave a speech every year at my alma mater, the College of Idaho, fist-poundingly exhorting in his OG Idaho cowboy way: “Get a piece of land, and HOLD ONTO IT!”

So before the Californians eat it all up, I got me a piece of land. And I’m holding onto it.

Fawn & Foal Idaho backbone screenprinted black tank top, $15, Fawn & Foal‘s open studio on First Friday in Garden City

1915 3-bedroom bungalow in historic downtown Nampa with exquisite parquet floors, $177,000