7/2/14

DAY 4 - HITTING OUR STRIDE


   Today was our best day by far. We woke a little after 5 and while we were getting ready, Jesse brought over a pot of coffee and 4 mugs.  While we put away our gear we had a nice time chatting. Jesse is Nez Perce, his descendants have been in the area for over a thousand years. He was in the Air Force in the 1950s and is a private pilot.  He lives in Craigmont in the summer, but winters with his wife in Arizona. 


His goal of the morning was to be certain that we took the shortcut from Craigmomt to Kamiah which would save 10 miles. He drew us a map and prefaced it by telling us 4 miles were not paved. These 4 turned out to be wonderful-  incredibly scenic, descending from the plateau that Craigmont is on down to the town of Kamiah, hard packed and easy to handle on bikes.


     Food hasn't been perfect the last few days but we carried out our plan of buying breakfast food the night before, riding 20-30 miles then stopping for breakfast. In Kamiah, Jesse had recommended eating at the casino, right on route 12. We each had the breakfast burrito and 4 eggs over easy on the side. We then went to the grocery store, bought snacks for the road and headed west on 12 which would be our route for the day.

      We texted my sister Diane for food recommendations and learned there were 2, a lunch stop 30 miles away, the Wilderness Lodge in Lowell, the dinner at the Lochsa Lodge 65 miles after that in Powell. With 95 more miles we would have preferred lunch stop a little later but there were no other options.

     Route 12 was beautiful, a gradual uphill hugging the Lochsa river which was a Lewis and Clarke route. The riding was smooth with very little traffic allowing us to make good time.  The temperature reached into the 90s so we took a quick dip in the river which was very cold.


    We pulled into the Lochsa Lodge a little after 7, got a room, took showers, (the first of the trip) bought provisions for the morning, and had a great dinner.  We'll enjoy sleeping in beds tonight resting up for the big climb over the Lolo pass first thing in the morning. 

7 comments:

  1. What a testament to the kindness of strangers! Are you finding that you packed everything you needed?

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    1. Ann Hwang7/04/2014

      I had exactly the same thought. So touched by how kind people have been, and feeling inspired to be nicer to others (though not if you cut me off in traffic, dammit ;-))

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  2. Anonymous7/02/2014

    Did they pack anything at all? Looks like not much more than a sleeping bag on the back of the bikes. I'm amazed that they can ride cross country for a month with so little!

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  3. Diane here. When I get the text with questions about food or lodging, lots of people are involved in the responses that are sent back. It's truly a team effort. My sisters Lauren and Gail, and our cousin Kevin have all been instrumental in doing internet research to find the best places.

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    1. Kevin- I agree, Diane is the brains, we are just her research staff :)

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  4. Diane is the brains of the operation, though.

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  5. I'm a friend of Peter's who is excited to read about your trip, as I am hoping to ride across the country sometime. Wishing you strong legs, favorable wind, and saddle bliss!

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