Hot Springs

Day 16 - 6/19/17 - Middle of Nowhere Half Up Lolo Pass to Powell, ID - 42 Miles

Average Speed - I'll get back with you on that

Lodging - In lot behind Lochsa Lodge Store - free

We started out early this morning, fog still lingered on the mountains and the sun cast early morning shadows. 

The schedule had us logging in 61 miles, while cresting Lolo Pass and staying in Lolo Hot Springs.  Did you catch that "The Schedule"?  For the past 15 days we have been precisely on "The Schedule" that I tentatively laid out months ago!  What's the deal with that???

A few nights back we met Ian, a young man from Scotland riding East to West.  He told us about some really nice natural hot springs just a mile hike off the route.   When I saw those hot springs on the map...

I am now officially behind schedule...and...I couldn't be happier about it.

Whitewater Heaven

Day 15 - 6/18/17 - Kooskia, ID to Middle of Nowhere Half Up Lolo Pass - 50 Miles

Average Speed - Par for the Course

Lodging - Wilderness Gateway Campground (USFS) - $14/2

These signs greeted us as we started the day.

We really are in the middle of nowhere. 

Today was another day spent accompanying a river as it meandered through the mountains.  This time it was the Lochsa River.  It was climb...climb...climb all day today and it will be even more tomorrow as we top Lolo Pass (hopefully).

The Lochsa River is a veritable whitewater paradise.  We saw folks kayaking, rafting and surfing.  Pretty cool!

We had to stop at 50 miles today because the next available campground/service is 40 miles up (and I mean UP) the road.  Not ready for a 90 miler yet.  Our campground tonight is right along the river, here's a pic from our site.  Gonna sleep good tonight!

Beautiful Ride

Day 14 - 6/17/17 - Riggins, ID to Kooskia, ID - 73 Miles

Average Speed - Real good until that big hill

Lodging - City Park - Free

Today started with an amazing ride through the Salmon River Canyon.  The Salmon River was our companion for nigh on 30 miles and then it veered NW on its way to Hells Canyon and the Snake River, while we went NE making our way to Montana.

We rode into White Bird just as they were gearing up for their annual parade.

The climb out of White Bird was breathtaking in more ways than.  I loved it...tons of switchbacks...had to dodge cows and horses...
the scenery was incredible.

I made short order of a footlong sub from Subway.  The final 26 miles into Kooskia were through beautiful farmland in the Nez Perce Indian Reservation.

Staying in the city park and due to sprinklers it is recommended we setup under the pavilion.

Wild Ride

Day 13 - 6/16/17 - Council, ID to Riggins, ID - 61 Miles

Average Speed - About the same as the Little Salmon River

Lodging - Big Eddie RV Park - $28/2

Today started kinda humdrum.  We rode out of Council and started climbing.  Not a hard climb, just up.  There wasn't much from the standpoint of scenery.  I was actually thinking I might not have a picture to post.  There was a threat of rain, but it held off.  We stopped around 11:30 in New Meadows for lunch.  Nothing much to talk about.  Just a day in the saddle.

After lunch we found ourselves riding along the Little Salmon River.  It was so quiet and calm as it gently wound its way through the valley.  I was thinking how nice and relaxing it would be to kayak that river...then...we started to go downhill and all HELL broke loose. 

The downhill was steep, the road was helmed in by towering rock cliffs on one side and the Little Salmon River on the other, it started raining hard, there was little to no shoulder,  there was alot of traffic, particularly truck traffic like semis and logging trucks...the downhill was curving and fast...and the river was determined to keep up the pace.  The Little Salmon River transfomed instantly from a gentle flowing river to a raging beast in an instant...

The raging river...the torential downpour...the towering rock walls...the steep descent...the speeding traffic...it all combined to make that downhill the most exhilarating ride of my life.

The rest of the ride I was simultaneously pumped and a bit drained from the rush of that downhill.  I smiled and took in the scenery.  On this ride...much like life...you never know what's around the next corner or in this case over the next hill...keep moving forward and leave yourself open to what it brings...and embrace it.

Evil Knievel

Day 12 - 6/15/17 - Oxbow, OR to Council, ID - 63 Miles

Average Speed - My bike computer had a hiccup

Lodging - Courthouse Hill Park - free

The highlight of the day was the first 12 miles.  We rode through the Snake River Canyon (Hells Canyon) from Oxbow Dam to Brownlee Dam.  It was a nice ride, scenic with no traffic. 

During those 12 idyllic miles I kept thinking about Evil Kneivel.  What boy growing up in the 70s didn't idolize Evil Knievel?  I thought about the red, white and blue bicycle I got for Christmas.  I thought about the make shift ramps I jumped as a kid.  I even tested the ramps by riding up them and stopping to visualize the jump, just like Evil Knievel.

At Brownlee Dam we crossed the river and I officially bid farewell to Oregon and entered my second state on this trip - Idaho!!

We are staying in the city park.  We had to call and get permission from the sheriff's office.  Welcome to small town America.