After the big day yesterday most breakfast at 8:00am. Here was our camp for those who preferred sleeping out in the bush . . .

folks slept in . . . me until 5:15am, but some didn’t get up until 10:00am!!!  We pushed our trail routine back some and since we had a full kitchen at our disposal, coffee was at 7:00am and

. . . located n the backyard of the house we rented.

But we were in RV land with a jamboree of Class A motorhomes parked right next to us. No problems with noise there. They all looked older than us and were in bed by 8:00pm!!!

Chateau ACA . . .

. . .  Karen, a ‘million dollar view’ out the picture window.

Rod and Mark had cooking duties last night, this morning and for lunch. We didn’t eat until 8:00pm last night so it was rotisserie chickens (they bought all the chicken the store had) salads, bread and ice cream with chocolate sauce and bananas. YUM!!!

In the morning David and Doc Mike went downtown for breakfast but . . .

. . . Rod and Mark made breakfast to order for the rest of us!!!

Wade jumped in too to help with the scrambled eggs . . .

good coordination . . .

. . . produced a breakfast fit for a king!!! Over easy eggs, toast, pork sausages and hashbrowns with homemade tarragon cream Sauce . . .NICE!!!

 

After a big breakfast it was time to discuss the days activities. We were all given our lunch money of $5USD and would explore downtown, do laundry, fix bikes EAT, and maybe drink some too!!

I met Glenn the owner of our RV park. Great guy with a great sense of humor. He was just heading to the dump with about a WEEKS WORTH OF GARBAGE!!! He has ridden cross country 4 times and is anxious to do it again with his 13 year old son. His son has read all his journals and is always asking to go on a tour with Glenn. What a great father son bonding experience that would be. Memoires only the two of them would share for  the rest of their lives.

Once breakfast was over the kitchen crew cleaned up and everyone scattered for the day!

Denise, David and I did laundry together and while I was typing away, David delivered my laundry washed, dried and folded. What a gentleman!!!!

Eventually most of us walked downtown for lunch and some looking around.  Quite the little tourist town.

The four blocks of main street have authentic looking western store fronts that were all paid for by a woman whose family owned a local sawmill. Also shown here are two riders Wade met Hank and Andy. They are heading west to east too and look like they will be a day ahead of us . . . for the time being.

Guys are guys, wherever you go. her was a bunch from a vintage motorcycle club standing around looking at their bikes and talking about them!!!

Snaren, here  is one for you. When you are Winthrop . . . check it out!!!!

No not the Brooklyn Bridge but but the main thoroughfare for pedestrians to get from one side of the town to the other . . . nice!!

. . . of course you can also go by horseback.

One of the main draws in town is the Shafer museum. Interesting hunks of iron. Fun to guess what they were used for BEFORE you read the explanations.

Anne and Hugh made a yummy dinner tonight of marinated grilled flank steak and salmon . . .with all the fixin’s.

Grilled to perfection and slice on the bias . . .

. . .with salad, grill brussel sprouts, green beans, rice and beans,  chips salsa and homemade guacamole. Oh yeah, and three kinds of pie with ice cream!!!

Going to be hard to go back to one pot meals after this layover.

After a day off it was time to hit the road again. What a beautiful morning. Sunny sky, no wind and 75 degrees!

We biked 30 miles through this pristine area . . . really NICE!

. . . and we had this surprise floating along us for about five miles . . .

. . . when it landed in a field right next to us!!!

This looked like a recent slide to me.

Every time you bike by a VFW or American Legion they seem to have some type of armament outside or in front. From a tank to a missile like this.Not sure how the process goes on what they get but I am sure there are politics involved. Twisp must not have much pull in the political arena . . .  no tank!

Gee . . . I  wonder what this landowner does for a living?

Five of us stopped in Brewster for out lunch and sat along the Columbia River n their city park. great sculpture!

Great ride out of town on along the river.

The apple and fruit industry dominate the economy in this area. We biked by every type of orchard one could imagine today. And once again in the west . . .water is king .EVERYTHING has drip irrigation.

Most of the workers we saw in the warehouses and fields were Hispanic. This is where some of them are housed  . . . right out in the orchards. Not a long drive to work!!!

One of our many stops along the way. Whenever anyone feels like having a snack . . . the whole pack stops!!!

. . . but away we go again.

Until the next stop maybe . . .10 miles down the road. Time for another sandwich in the shaded!

Smoochie, this one is for you. Happy Birthday on June 19th . . . I love you X

Couldn’t figure this out, looked like some type of weird fish weir.

The local smoke jumper base had their own airstrip,

Four of us had lunch in Paterous along  the Columbia River . . .  a PERFECT riding day.

Example of a new vineyard/fruit plantation being installed with the latest in drip irrigation.

Came upon Rod who had made a little comfort stop. Nice of Adventure Cycling to have these rented for us and strategically place along the way!!

Don’t need to go to the Tar Sands in Alberta to see dinosaur bones . . .they have them right here in Washington!

The apples you see in the store next week may be coming out of storage at this facility. You can see the crates and truck is FULL!

I came along a ranch where the chickens in the fenced enclosure were going wild . . why, Wile E, Coyote was trying to make a visit in broad daylight. See red circle. I barely had time to get my camera out!

You know . . . they always say there is room for improvement. The people of Malott take it very seriously!!!

Tonight we are staying in Okanagan’s American Legion Park. Nice place and they have wifi!!!

David and Doc Mike are our chefs tonight . . . a few appetizers . .

followed by pasta Bolognese . . .

. . .  very tasty. Doc Mike got the pasta perfect!!!

Big day tomorrow . . . another 75 mile day and we climb Wakanda Pass!

Everyone slept well last night in the American Legion Park but were up early and were leaving by 7:30am. BIG climb today and 73 miles too!

We rode down to Omak which is a village and Indian Reservation located along the river . . . here was one of their housing developments . . .

. . . very tidy!!!

. . .and there was some GREAT sculpture. Not just wooden cutouts but three dimensional metal works of art. REALLY nice!

. . . quote a vision this artist had.

. . .something for the kids too.

The tribe doesn’t provided all the amenities like ACA does, and like Rod used yesterday but they make an attempt for those who have a ‘road side emergency’. This would qualify for TommyH’s ‘emergency roadside repair kit”!!!

Now the Indians REALLY know how to close down a road. You are not going to get through that blockage!

Great westerns store we rode by at 8:30am. Too bad they did not open until 10:00am.

I’d really like to live on this street.

As we climbed into the mountains on our 4,000 foot climb we passed this place. Looked like a Catholic facility. Not sure if it was for fathers of family’s or priests.

We started and 7:30am this morning and a group of us got to the Waucoda USPS about 2:00pm. One more three mile climb to the pass and then a 11 mile downhill into Republic. YIPPEE!!!!!

One more stop at the actual pass for a photo op.

As I rolled into Republic I saw this view which I think is our exit from Republic tomorrow. Up over Sherman Pass out highest pass in three days. Going to be a tough climb!!!

Also  on the way into town was Dan’s ‘House of Interest’ Not sure what it was all about because Dan was no where to be found!

Tonight we are staying at the Fossil Museum, using the bathrooms in the city parka across the street and using the one shower available in the laundermat down the street. Sort of a hodgepodge tonight.

Some of the gang are sleeping in this human size foose ball court. Good thing we will be gone by 8:00am Monday morning or they become part of the game! Tight quarters.

Plenty of room to dry laundry, though!

The laundermat was something to behold. Here was the one shower that was $2.00 for 4 minutes . . .

. . . and of course no animals allowed in the shower!!!!

Since we had riders get in so late, again tonight, we all went out to eat. Sally our waitress had an amazing smile, memory and energy level!! Will be no problem sleeping tonight after our second big climb.

Today would be all about the climb. The third big one in five days and this one the tallest. Sherman Pass at 5,575 feet. The climbing STRAIGHT UP . . .

. . . gave one plenty of time to look around. Here was a table laying in the ditch that our friend Darla from Marblemount would have loved to have. It even had four legs!.

Oh boy up we go!

Sad to see this fawn lying in the road . . . not much road kill here in WA. Beautiful animal.

After three hours it was finally time to summit. The truck in the photo is typical of the log haulers we have been dealing with for the past week. They give you ZERO room on the road and would just as soon we were not riding. Today David was blown into the ditch by one today and crashed!!!

This is what it looks like as you approach the top of a pass.. YIPPEE Finally a 25 mile downhill. The longest I have ever ridden. NO PEDALING . .  .just controlling the speed.

There was a GREAT USFS Civilian Conservation Corps display on the way down . . .

. . .  with lots of great exhibits.

We finally made it to Kettle Falls after a very long day. Camping in the Great View campground . . .

The week of climbing has taken its toll. One of our riders has rented a van and is traveling ahead to Sandpoint and will meet us there. Another is having problems with his Achilles tendons because of all the climbing.  Everyone’s REAR END is sore!!!

Jill, out campground host stopped by to make sure we had everything we needed in the way of creature comforts during our stay.

Busy cutting up 4 pounds of stew meat!

Mike N and I had cooking duty today and used a beef stew recipe out of the ACA  cookbook. Served with a salad, worm bread, and cake for dessert.

YUM . . .

. . . and more yum. There wasn’t much of anything left.

We are done with the Cascades and on the way to the Rockies!!!!

Today we are out of the mountains a bit but still have a couple thousand feet of climbing before a BIG 4 mile fast descent into our home for the night, Ione, WA. Beautiful scenery as we cycled along the back roads heading towards Colville.

Mike, D and Anne round the curve in front of me. The sun coming up, no wind, great scenery and no traffic . . . perfect riding conditions.

Somewhere out in this vicinity (red circle) was Sherman Pass that we came over yesterday. At 5,557 feet it is the highest point we have been over so far.

As we approach Colville it looked like they were having a ‘Fire Sale’ on white goods. Slight used though . . . however we could use a cooler!

Bernie and Corvin are cooking tonight and when we passed through Coleville  I saw Bernie pull into the Gallo Meat store and  . . . maybe by half a hog??? The way we eat no problem  . . . and our nightly food budget is $240!!!!

Great scenery as we pedal through the countryside . . .

Mirror image . . . nice!

This may have been the way to go . . . but it was off route.

Impromptu sandwich break at 35 miles . . .

David, our British cyclist, showing his affection for the good old US of A . . .

. . . but also flying his own colors today!!

Time to head out again down thee road.

Down the hill . . . before we spent considerable time going back up and up.  Several 10 percent grades. Everyone agreed the route today was tougher than we thought it was going to be.

I feel like I am related to whomever lives on this road!!!!

With 12 miles more to go we arrived and the Beaver Lodge Resort and Trading Post where there were Gatorades and Starbuck Ice Cappuccinos all around!!!

. . . and finally one of the fastest down hills we have had. REALLY fun. Long straight away so you could really let it rip!!!

As we turned to Ione, there was this sign. I don’t have the big geographic image in my head yet I guess. I was surprised we were this close to Canada!!!

As we entered Ione I was also surprised to see a Wisconsin Ave sign!!! Small world. We  own  . . . Ione!!!!

We are staying at the Cedarview RV park and camping in the owners backyard. YES . . . Garden Party!!!!

David was one of the first in today and I got a good look at his tent. I finally realized it reminded me of a black trash can liner. VERY light but we’ll see how it handles the July and August sun!!!

But he found a VERY comfortable place to relax!!!!

Linda and her husband Dave were VERY accommodating even providing us with extra cooking utensils and the use of their personal deck for our prep station!!!!

Yummy chicken asparagus risotto dinner followed by smores for dessert!!!

 

We were sorry to leave Linda and Dave’s RV park this morning. They were both up early supply us with carafe after carafe of coffee. But soon we were on thee road. If you were not getting your coffee fix from Linda and Dave . . .this was the place to be in Ione!!! The sheriff was just leaving on his way to work and the USFS had just pulled in next. Ahhhh working . . . what a distance memory.!!!

Still rolling in Ione, WA!!!

We road across the bridge to the other side of the Orville River over an open expansion decked bridge. Sort of creepy looking down and seeing the water as you roll across . . .

. . .better to look downstream and the beautiful view that was awaiting us today. We would have a 52 mile ride down the River, and through the Kalispel Indian Reservation. We had heard they had a buffalo heard and were anxious to see it. We also heard the 8.5 mile of LeClerc Road that runs through their reservation is a famous ‘speed trap’. Shouldn’t be an issue for us.

But what about bicyclists!!!!

BEAUTIFFUL riding, no traffic, cool temps and great scenery. This is what bicycle touring is all about.

Soon I met Elaine who was out for a walk with her pup, Rags. I asked Elaine about the buffalo herd on the Kalispell Reservation but she had never heard of it. We’ll see!!!!

In the middle of nowhere was this Washington State version of Stonehedge. No sign or information . . . just out in the middle of a field!!!

Another unique mailbox. I guess the USPS must allow any kind of mailbox decoration as long as it is at the proper height. Wouldn’t work in our neighborhood!

Having been in the fire business I had to stop and check out the local fire station, where as most volunteer fire  departments, are looking for help.

Boy . . .to bad we missed tis community event. We would have made a dent in their food supply!

We entered the Kalispel Indian Reservations, checked our speed and were on the hunt for sighting the buffalo herd!

Soon we came upon the tribal headquarters building. Modern design  . . .

. . . and sure enough there were buffalo . . . a ‘herd of three’. We were expecting 50-60. Maybe the rest were scattered in the pasture. We would keep our eyes open as we biked on through the reservation.

We  came to the  Madreas Grotto and thought  it was a good time for a mini lunch stop.

David pulled out his iPad and checked out the grotto info online before he and Rod decided to climb up the bluff to see it. After 15 minutes of climbing the trail petered out and they never found it!

Seems like the garbage man had not been around to the grotto for a while . . . but no sign of bear activity.

Right next to our lunch spot was this little cave. We called it good and got back on the road . . .

FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) has a big dam spillway project on the Orville River and we rode by access points all day.

As we neared OldTown/Newport out home for the night the river widened. We had a slight headwind but it was VERY refreshing. Perfect end to a perfect biking day.

As we crossed over the bridge into Newport we passed through a small chunk of Idaho. Sort of a teaser. Tomorrow night we will be in Sandpoint, ID . . .

. . . but tonight we are staying in the Fire Science Building of the Newport High School Firefighter Academy. Evidently they start recruiting their volunteer/professional staff very early in life

Here is a shot from the loft of our home tonight .. .

. . . where Corvin may have found the most unique place to sleep!!!

Some are sleeping in the instructional room tonight and some are camping out on the athletic field. I will be camping next to the engine I am expected to respond with if they get a call . . .

. . . and as I work on today’s journal entry . . . I AM READY TO RESPOND!!!!

We had a great stay at the fire department training center . . . but it was soon time to pack up and move on to Sandpoint, ID. Allison, our tour guide, has spent MANY hours lining up our accommodations but when something better presents itself, she takes the bull by the horns. Here she was on her way to the school admiration office with some flowers for Christy, the administrator,  as a thank you for making room for us in Newport.

She pulled some more tricks out of her hat and tonight instead of staying at the County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint, which there was only a water spigot and porta potties, we are staying at the Sandpoint West Athletic Club and we will have the run of the place!!!

We were teased yesterday with our 1/2 excursion into the State of Idaho, but today we say goodbye to Washington and bicycle into Idaho and points east.

I guess gun ownership must be a big deal in ID since I came to this sign, pasted to a state DOT speed limit sign,  in the first quarter mile after entering ID . . .

. . . probably placed on the speed sign my the same group who posted this sign right across the road!!!

More Logging trucks in Idaho!!!! Hope they are more courteous to bikers than those in WA who seemed to thrive on seeing how close they can get to bicycles, especially when there is no shoulder. The locals even comment that the timber haulers think they own the road. Rumor is they call bicyclist ‘limesicles’ like popsicle but lime because of the safety lime green vest and jerseys we wear SO THEY CAN SEE US!!! Here is what is loaded on their trucks each morning . . .

. . .  and here is the final product!!!

Great riding today along the river as we head to Sandpoint. Blue sky again, no wind, low traffic  and only 40 miles. Lots of osprey along the way. This platform was empty but a neighbor was sitting on the adjacent pole . . .

. . .for some reason in this section the utility did not want birds sitting, roosting or nesting. They placed plastics covers over the lines and on this pole had a plastic owl!!!

. . . but here was a happy family!

Good for Idaho, working to keep invasive species out of their waterways!

Time for an impromptu lunch stop at ‘The Crossing’ . . .  hopefully we will not drive down their property values during our short stay.

Not sure what Lucky the flying cow is all about but . . .

. . . here was another chicken for emJay!!!

After 35 miles we were entering the greater Sandpoint area. We exited  Hwy 95, which we had been on for 15 miles, and got on a GREAT bicycle path. It looked like it had been just sprayed, the weeds were all covered in tar . . .

. . . and sure enough four miles down the trail were Larry and Jim sprucing things up for us. I asked if the city fathers had heard the ACA Northern Tier was coming to town and wanted to put out the ‘black carpet’ for us. No . . .it was just time for normal maintenance.

. . . we have been out of the ‘news stream’ for several weeks now . . . wonder how the whole ‘Rebuilding America’ thing is going?????

The path turned into a full two lanes when we crossed the two mile bridge into Sandpoint, ID. . .

Hello Sandpoint . . . the end of our Map 1, a new state to explore AND a layover day!!!

The city got us off the main drag with this nice path along the river right into the downtown area! Big city for us . . .over 7,500 happy residents.

Not too far from the athletic club was this gun store . . . quite the prop. I assume that is what it is????

Thanks to Allison’s extra efforts, here is our home for the next two nights! Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hydro massage and all the workout equipment.

Everyone must check in at the club with Leona, who has worked at the club for 26 years. As a shower present, for the delivery of her first son, she was given a free visit. She liked the place so much she asked for a job and has been here ever since!!!

The staff told me one of the women who was teaching a kids class spoke German. Soon her and Corvin were talking it up in German. Diana’s mother is German and her father American. After living in the US for 46 years they are retiring next year to the Motherland. Corvin seemed very happy to speak his native tongue for the first time in several weeks!!

Our camp. The club closes at 10:00pm but we will have a key to get into the bathrooms. AND they had REAL shower towels to rent for fifty cents!!!!

While I have been bicycling through the great State of Washington  enjoying the environment and scenic beauty that has been preserved by federal, state and NGO’s  . .

emJay has been in Washington, DC helping continue the cause!!!!

 

Allison surprised us with a map of our accomplishment so far. You can see the detour we had to make south, at the red dotted line, because of Loup Loup Pass being closed. One state down and over 500 miles bicycled. Yippee!!!

Leona also surprised us with a bag of goodies her daughter thought we needed from the local health food store. HOW NICE!!!

Rest days are all about maintenance, cleaning, laundry and RESTING . . .  The bod REALLY needs some down time after climbing like we did. I slept until 7:00am and only woke up because the sun was beating on my tent so intensely! Above is one reason you need to routinely check all connections. This rack bolt on my left front pannier was just about out and GONE.

Some do laundry in camp . . .

. . . while Doc Mike and Allen headed down to the local laundermat. And it was time to tool around town a bit.

BIG weekend in town for yard sales. In Sandpoint, they have a unique way of advertising them by clumping the signs on street corners every three or for blocks apart!

Quite the tree house under construction. Looks like the owner may have run out of energy . . .

Great murals around town painted by local artists on fences. This one must have something to do with killer bees!!!

Exotic!!

I was on a shopping mission for a new bowl and towel. My old Shuttleguy bowl had cracked and every time I had cereal with milk or oatmeal with hot water I had it running down my arm . . .

. . . a trip to Safeway produced this little kit made by Rubbermaid and “Mom Approved’!!!!. Denise told us anything you use on a trip should have two purposes. So . . . I will use this for my nightly meal, and then carry my sandwiches during the day AND per Allison’s suggestion also use it for holding leftovers when you go out to eat. Of course she weighs about 90 pounds dripping wet and may have leftovers when she eats out. For me  . . .  the the case is not the same in the weight department or leftovers department!!!

I’ll ditch the blue cold pack. Too heavy and no refrigeration!!!

Sandpoint is hopping with tourists and the city has a great beach for them to use . . .

. . . of course at this time of the year the water is still cold. Didn’t stop the kids from jumping in and splashing around.

I saw this chopper on the way into town yesterday and stopped by today to take a photo.  As a kid, the  Sikorsky helicopter was one of my favorite models so it was neat to see one in person.  This one had never seen combat but had flown in Europe AND WITH THE WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD!!! A sign said the local VFW had acquired it to restore and bring awareness to the importance of helicopter use in battles. Looks like enthusiasm and fund raising  must have evaporated for this project.

Soon it was time for lunch and a bunch of us settled in at the Pie Hut. a place Doc Mike was nice enough to sample yesterday to make sure it was ACA worthy.

I had the #3 special which was half a sandwich, a bowl of soup and a slice of any pie. The soup was Dill Pickle! Hugh and I were interested and were provided a sample. We both went for it!!!

A bowl and half a Cubano sandwich quickly appeared . . .

Now which pie . . . ????

. . . which of course are all handmade,onsite, in the back by Jenny . . .

. . . I chose the chocolate peanut butter cream. YUMMYYY!!!

Happy bikers with full tummies!

The owner, Heather, stopped over to make sure everything was OK . . .  Hugh thought the rhubarb pie he had was the BEST he had ever tasted and it nearly brought a tear to his eye . . .

. . . in fact, there was only one piece left in the tin so he bought it for his dessert tonight!!!

I still needed a new towel. We ‘rented’ towels at the club yesterday for 50 cents and it brought back what a nice feeling it is to towel off after a hot shower with a full size towel rather than an hand towel sized one like the one I bought for this trip at REI.

So . . . of to 40 North Outfitters, three miles north of us in Puderay. Very much like our Farm & Fleet but bigger and with more stuff!!

On the way I passed this cool roadside coffee stop. Closed today . . .

On the way I passed this cool roadside coffee stop. Closed today . . .

. . . even had a handle!!!

In the ‘camping department’ there were four aisles of ammo  . . something for everyone and every purpose!!!

. . . but I was after a regular size micro fiber towel (not chamois like) that as you can see is MUCH larger than the current version, and still 5X more absorbent than cotton. It may seem like silly thing but on the road it is the simple things that make your day.

Tomorrow we are back on the road to  Clark Fork, ID and then on to Libby, MT the next day. FORWARD!!!

Team Estrogen had dinner duty tonight, Denise, Anne and Allison jumped in to help stir the jambalaya . . . shrimp , Andouille sausage, beans, rice, secret seasonings . . . yummy!

Followed by a DELIGHTFUL little trifle with chocolate sauce. Are we roughing it or what.!!!

Some of us headed downtown to sample some of the local brews . . . and had  a nice chat with our server Chelsea about the brewery business and the many jobs she holds down in order to live in the area.

The morning routine . . . all this has to fit in the panniers and back on the bike, every morning . . . and it always does.!!!

Today would be a short ride, only 30 miles. We are doing a ‘rolling rest day’. Thursday we only had 30 miles into our rest day town od Sandpoint so most of us were there by noon. We spent all day yesterday in Sandpoint. Left this morning and only had 30 miles to Clark Fork. Got in before noon. However . . tomorrow we are back into it with two 70 miles days back to back. Great view this morning though as we rode along the lake. . .

As we climbed higher the views became more spectacular. Great riding: low traffic, blue sky, cool temps no wind and no bugs!! Too bad it was only 30 miles. Lake Pend Oreille has a 200 mile perimeter.

A lone kayaker out for a morning glide . . . nice!!!

Some great historic displays along the way. The cowboys of the era were pretty dapper, even wearing a tie when out on the range . . .

. . .and the Native Americans had a unique way of constructing their canoes.

Only 30 miles DOES NOT mean one cannot enjoy a little break along the way. Yum!!! 1% chocolate milk is my new during and after ride drink of choice. Donut holes optional!!!

This is probably the most elaborate ‘cut out’ type metal fence we have seen. Unbelievable detail. Must have been cut with a laser.

We got off of Hwy 200 for about 10 mile to pass through Hope, pop. 87 and  and East Hope, pop 204. The Idaho DOT has a sense of humor as they routed us on ‘Business 200’ through the two tiny villages!

Glad the ‘Big Hill’ was closed. Wellington was a nice series of roller right into Clark Fork.

Tonight we are staying at the Clark Fork High School. Great site but no water or bathrooms available so we will need to shower and use the bathroom two blocks down at the  laundermat!!!

Doc Mike and I are cooking tonight so it was done in the parking lot in front of the laundermat!!!

Lot of action there while we were cooking. The laundermat seems to be the social meeting place for the town, although we had pretty much taken it over. Here Hugh discusses our route with a couple of the local boys.

Heddy LaMarr showed up to make an appearance . . .

Soon dinner was served . . . find a seat!

Chilled shell past a with a variety of veggies, served with garlic grilled toast breads.

Come and get it . . . we also purchased two pies for dessert. It all went!

Rod gave out a few awards including this key to Allison for her to unlock the mysteries of her life!!

And this special seat for the Doc. . . .

. . . for which he quickly demoed the ‘balance approach to life’.

Seventy miles tomorrow!!!!

Today would be all about the mileage. 70 miles in VERY hot temps and about 2,600 feet of climbing would land us in Libby, MT, our home for the night.

Yesterday Mark and I headed to our favorite laundermat and had barely put our load in when two vans pulled up and about 24 short, dark skinned Spanish speaking guys jumped out and took over the rest of the machines. In talking to Jeff Jeffery’s, the guy on the left side of the picture with Hugh yesterday, we found out they are Peruvian masons who work at Stutzke Stone works cutting and splitting flagstone. None of them were over about 5 foot 2 inches!!!!

Some of their handy work at the entrance to the quarry . . .

. . . soon to be at your Home Depot or Lowes store???

There was also QUITE the collection of old cars, truck and most kinds of motor vehicles proudly displayed and rusting in the sun!

Most had the windows broken out.

Soon we entered Montana. I stopped and took this shot and soon a woman and man drove up in a van from new Hampshire. We had a nice chat about our ride and I asked her if she would take my picture of the sign with Connie. She took several but once she left I found out she had been pushing the On\Off button!

Beside passing into a new state we also passed into a new time zone.

Not sure what this is all about but we will find out!

Interesting, first time I have seen this. Nice service provided by the American legion.

It is apparent many people in MT think the same as those in ID and WA regarding trespassing!

This poor fawn could not have been more than a couple of days old. Beautiful animal . . . looked like it was sleeping.

Typical of the view today . .  a Kodak moment around every turn!

Wide open spaces, lots of sky and LOTS of sun. Very hot today. At times 95 degrees in the saddle. Hydration and the supple of available water became an issue.

Must have been one horrific accident here at one time. Sad.

We arrived at Kootenai Falls 12 miles before Libby and it was a great rest stop. You can see the swinging bridge in the foreground that over looks the falls. Mark went over to it and found it had a capacity rating of five people . . . and there was a huge crown out on it. He did venture out onto it!

The falls were FANTASTIC and once again was a great example of the power of moving water. Can’t fight mother nature!

As I entered Libby I saw this unique store and stopped by . . . already out of business

. . but there was ‘Robby the Robot’ was keeping an eye on things. FUNNY!

On our last big descent into Libby there was new pavement ON A DOWNHILL! Smooth as a newborn babies butt. The heat reflection off the new pavement pushed the tempts on the bike up over 100 degrees. Where’s that water bottle!! Most of us today carried our usual three water bottles and two quart bottles of Gatorade. Barely enough!

Was this our place for the night with the fancy sign . . .

No, we were down the road at the Two Bit Outfit!!! It was OK. You can see one of our ACA provided safety triangles in the l lower left. Anytime someone wants to mark a tricky turn or the campsite or a Dairy Queen, etc. they put out their triangle and the last person to ride by picks it up.

With the time change today, and the gruesome ride, it was too late to cook by the time everyone was in camp so we went out to eat. Good move. We had our map meeting at the restaurant and still didn’t get to bed until 10:30pm MST.

Another big day tomorrow as we pedal on another seventy miles to Eugene, MT.