Riding in Idaho

On Sunday evening we did in fact go back to the Iron Horse Brew Pub for libation and dinner.  Both were excellent and I had salmon for dinner. 
Tuesday morning we took our time getting going and had breakfast at a diner in Missoula.  On the way out of town I stopped at a Starbucks and purchased my packets of decaf VIA. This makes tasty coffee while camping. Leaving Missoula we had a forty four mile accent up Lolo Pass with the last four miles being about 7%. At the top of Lolo Pass we entered Idaho for the last time and will spend four full days riding across the state.

From the top of the pass we descended another sixteen miles to Powell, ID where we camped at the Lochsa Lodge. The lodge had excellent food and beer and we made sure that we enjoyed ourselves since it was raining our.  At least I got camp set up before the rain started.

Wednesday found us riding from Powell to Lowell on Rt 12 along the Lochsa River.  This ride has a very slight downhill grade all of the way and it follows the river through the valley which has steep pine and ceder covered walls on both sides.

The river is actually on the left side of this picture and sometimes we could see it very nicely. But to ride this for over eighty miles got old quickly.  Very green and the river was running fast with many rapids but I was very happy when we got out of this valley on Thursday morning.

Anyways, we rode on Wednesday to Lowell and stayed at the Three Rivers Lodge.  The lodge is located at the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway Rivers and forms the Middle branch of the Clearwater River. Another nice camp at the lodge with food that was OK.

Up and at it early on Thursday we rode to Kooskia twenty three miles away for breakfast. Again along the river but when we left Kooskia we also left the valley and the scenery opened up and the riding was much more enjoyable, even with the 2200ft climb that we had for the last eight miles to get to Grangeville, which is a nice sized city and the first place with good wifi and cell service since entering Idaho two days ago. 

We are camped at the Lions Park and two of our ladies are the cooks tonight so we will see what delight they will put together for us.  Right now I am going to join Sjef and Jason at the local saloon to fortify myself for dinner, maybe have some wings also.

Life is Good!

Bobo