June 17th - Jeff's post

June 17, 2013

Yesterday, when we ended our day, we crossed into Idaho.  So we are done with one of the ten states we cross on our trip.  We also crossed a time zone, so we are only two hours behind.  The difference in terrain from Oregon to Idaho was very noticeable.  Now we are seeing green again as opposed to lunar type surface. 

The day began with a climb up a hill.  Slow going. Jerry caught Jeff and Jack taking a break.  As he peddled by, he said, “you guys need to stop lollygagging, we’ll never get to Virginia this way.”  Went down the other side and ended up in a town called Richland.  Stopped at Bucky’s Café and Hotel and had our usual cup of joe and we ordered pancakes again.  Jeff and Jerry got short stacks and Jack got a single.  The short stacks were even bigger than the ones from yesterday.  I even got a third one because my stack was smaller than Jerry’s stack.  So big I couldn't eat them all, so I had to take one with me. 

Headed out 95, flat with one climb and then into the town of Council.  Headed out of Council and started another major climb.  Landscape changed to more green still.  In the town of New Meadows, we were at the 45^th Parallel.  Halfway between the equator and the North Pole.  Jack could feel the difference in temperature when he crossed from one side to the other.  Also in News Meadows, we  were stopped to get water and about 10-15 motorcycles pulled in for gas.  They all had UMF on the back of their outfits.  Our guess is the West’s version of Hell’s Angels.  Headed downhill for about 15 miles and ended up at Canyon RV Park. Ride down was very dicey.  We lived to die another day.  Logging trucks and people with trailers were shooting by.  Fortunately, we did have a little shoulder to work with. Sue got us a spot as good as last night.  We are camped on the edge of Powder Creek.  About 25 feet wide and water going through it that if you tried to step in, you would be washed away.  Good current.  Beautiful setting.  It is technically an RV Park.  Great accommodations and we bought some Moose Drool beer tonight.  From Montana.  Good shtuff.

No wildlife today except for cows.  Also, being in Idaho, you would think we would see some potatoes.  None so far.  Another myth.

We did 94 miles today.

Jeff, Jerry, Jack, and Sue