Take Me Back To Idaho

Monday was our biggest day yet. After leaving the campground at Lolo with the square dancing folks, we headed up Lolo Pass. The climb wasn't bad because we did it early in the morning. Highlights of the climb include riding right past a bull moose laying in the dirt with only one antler left, and Dad finding $5 in the bushes.

Cooling off in the Lochsa.

At the top we crossed into the best state ever, Idaho. It was also the continental divide, but the fact that we hit Idaho was probably more exciting. After crossing the pass, we had a huge descent. The first part was steep, taking us to the beautiful Lochsa Lodge. Though we considered staying there, it was only lunchtime and 43 miles into a day upon our arrival. So, we decided to continue riding, even though it would be 60+ miles to the next campground.

The good news was the ride was slightly downhill the whole way, dropping us to about 1500 feet from 5200 at the top of Lolo. It definitely warmed up as we lost elevation, but the ride wound on a beautiful road along the Lochsa River, which gave us a couple of opportunities to get in and cool off in the water.
Our total mileage for the day was a whopping 109. This was the first century ride ever for Mom, Shelby, and myself. We pulled in to Three Rivers Resort later than usual that evening.
After dinner we talked to the lady across from our campsite about our trip, answering the typical questions. As we talked, we found out that she was from Boise. Later, when her husband and 3 boys pulled up from their fishing trip, I realized she was married to my thumb therapist. Now we were really feeling close to home.

Tuesday we paid for our downhill day with a lot of uphill. Right out of Kooskia we hit a road called "Lamb's Grade" that we took to Grangeville. This road would have more appropriately been named "Lamb to the Slaughter" or even "Satan's Switchbacks". The gentle idea the word "lamb" brings to mind was entirely incorrect. For a while we were climbing at at steady 10-13% grade in worse heat than we've experienced in a while. We were thankful for the few "flat" sections of only 5%.

Dad's so concerned he takes my picture.

I must have tried to climb this hill a little too hard because after an especially steep section, I stopped and tried to catch my breath. Apparently I couldn't catch it, because after a minute, my brain went a little fuzzy and then my world went black. I woke up on the ground and in the weeds to Shelby seeming concerned and Dad taking pictures.
After my little fainting episode, none of us were willing to risk biking up the hill anymore. We were gaining elevation fast. Dad tried to ride a little more, but eventually we all gave up and pushed our bikes the rest of the way.
Once in Grangeville, we paid the Taco John's people a lot of money for food and cold drinks.

Pushing Lamb's Grade

The rest of the way up Whitebird hill was easy compared to Lamb's Grade. It was even shaded on the way up. Down was a bit frightening. Switchbacks on the old road, while free of traffic, are tight and difficult to safely maneuver on heavy bikes. Our hands hurt pretty bad from riding the brakes when we finally got to town. We stayed in an RV park right on the Salmon River that night. The water we SteriPen-ed from the river tasted better than the well water the park provided. We are happy to be back where the rivers run clear, not like the muddy ones out in the midwest. It was 70 miles that day.

Wednesday we rode to New Meadows, once again pretty uphill on a fairly busy road, which wasn't ideal. We made a pit stop at the fruit stand that sits 5 miles outside of Riggins. We bought some peaches and berries, then an entire huckleberry pie. We sat down in the back of the fruit stand and ate the whole thing for second breakfast. Best purchase
of the entire trip.

Mom used the toilet on the back of the van...

As we approached New Meadows, we thought about staying at Zim's hot springs. Calling there and a hotel in town, we realized we could head to town and sleep inside for only 5 extra dollars. Given my parents' experience at Zim's 20 years ago (something about loud neighbors playing and singing "Brown Eyed Girl" over and over until 2am...), we headed to town. It was 62 miles.

Hells Canyon.

Today we thankfully got some downhill in the morning out of New Meadows. It was heating up again today as we climbed up a 4100 ft pass, then descended into Hells Canyon. It is appropriately named. Sure is hot down here. The road had an awesome view along the Snake River through the afternoon.
We crossed the Snake into Oregon today, a truly momentous occasion. The Oregon Sign we snuck onto Mom's trailer made it the whole way as well. We're in Oxbow at an Idaho Power campground, a random oasis in the middle of this desert, 87 miles from New Meadows.Tomorrow we plan to get up early to climb out of the canyon.

Roadkill Report: Bird, Bird, Deer, Snake, Deer, Bird, Chipmunk, Bird, Bird, Bird, Deer, Raccoon, Bird, Raccoon, Deer, Bird, Bird, Bird

Money Found: $5.56