days we are down to setting our itinerary by where there is a town
with a motel. The towns are few and far between, and we do like to
have a place to sleep. Today was only 180 miles, but we knew the
weather would be bad. However, since it is really our second, and
likely last bad day, we decided not to complain. And we didn't...for
a while. We left under very black skies, and quite quickly out of
Idaho Falls the rain began. The rain is not so bad, but it was cold
on the bikes. It rained...and rained...and rained, but finally the
skies began to lift. We even saw some breaks of sun. We stopped at
a national monument called Craters of the Moon in Arco, ID. It is
basically a lava field, a very big lava field, and unexplored and
mapped until the 1950's. It is an unwelcoming environment, and
unique in the fields surrounding this area. The picture of Mike in
his rain suit is taken there. We left as the skies again blackened.
An 1/8th of a mile up the road there was a very large bolt of
lightning. I stopped and consulted Mike, who assured me it seldom
hits anything (it was right in our path), so we continued. Another
1/2 mile, another bolt of lightning, and I turned back to the Visitor
Center without consultation. The Park Ranger assured me we had done
the right thing (Mike followed me). They were just starting the
movie about the crater area, so we watched the movie. By that time
the skies had cleared, and indeed the rest of the afternoon gave us
only a few raindrops, but the wind picked up to gusts of 30+ miles an
hour. Not that much fun.
Our night was planned in Twin Falls for the sake of an hotel room,
and we rode into town in sunshine. We crossed the Snake River and
saw the most spectacular view of the river gorge. It is one of the
most beautiful sights I have seen this trip. The gorge has wide
river banks where the river has cut through over millions of years.
The city has used those banks to construct a beautiful golf course
which contrasts the very green of the course with the rust and grey
of the rock. The two other pictures were taken there. The one of me
is included to show you my best, and only, purchase of the trip. My
hair has been a continuing problem. Taken your worst hair day,
compound it by 1,000, and there you have two weeks of helmet head. I
finally bought a hat, and voila!, no helmet head. I want no comments
of how I look in a hat. This is better. Trust me! I may take it
off to sleep tonight..maybe.
Tomorrow we head through Nevada, disregarding Sue's warnings. Any
other route would have added 400 miles, and we are on secondary roads
through national forest land and some mountain areas. One mountain
pass is at 11,000 feet. So, Sue, we will suffer with full knowledge
you tried to dissuade us.
San Francisco by Wednesday.
4 comments:
Greetings from Croatia. We've finally been able to find an internet cafe to check on your sojourn. Looks like you have made great progress. We are waiting for the picture of you
crossing the Snake River Evil Kneivil style.
Love the hat! I think you look cute - but more importantly, if it helps prevent helmet hair, then even if it isn't cute, its worth it (but you know I would say that!). Are they ready for you in San Francisco?????
Two days of rain-not bad, but that last one sounds scary! You've seen some beautiful sights. Thanks for the pictures. The hair thing would have driven me crazy, too. I'll do anything not to wear a hat, but in the same circumstance, I would have either cut it all off or given in. Can't believe you'll be in SF on Wed. You've almost done it!! Pretty amazing.
Di
Jody:
Ok, here's something I didn't understand from the outset. You two are picking where to stop and stay next as you are going along? There was no advance list of reservations of where you were staying next already planned in advance and booked? Wow, now I am impressed. Now, if you were only willing to flip coins at intersections to decide left or right - now that would truly be living the "Easy Rider" dream.
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