Mr. Potato Head figures have invaded the Boise Foothills trail system; here’s why

First, a coffee mule.

Now, a series of trail potatoes.

Someone has positioned a series of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head figures — and other variations, including Star Wars Potato Heads — among the Ridge to Rivers trail system in the Boise Foothills.

The toys have their own Instagram account, @idahoshredhead. According to the bio, “Shredheads celebrate the designation of Boise-Eagle as an IMBA Gold Ride Center.”

That’s a reference to the International Mountain Bicycling Association honor announced in fall 2015.

The first post, of a naked gold potato, hit Instagram on May 7. That’s also the day the account began posting photos of Potato Heads to find.

On May 18, the first milk carton photo was posted claiming that a Potato Head had been “spudnapped.”

“Also missing but not pictured: someone’s sense of humor and inner child,” the post said.

People who come across the Potato Heads are asked to post photos on Instagram with the hashtags #idahoshredhead and #ridahogold.

Sightings started to show up May 15.

And apparently it’s OK to take a Potato Head for a ride.

“Feel free to transport me to another local trail location if you like!” one post says. “Hanging out trailside is fun, but rolling around on 2 wheels is what I love most!”

A sampling of Shredhead posts:

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 10:36 PM.