Bannack State Park - 48 miles

 

 

Mountain Goats - 68 miles

We woke up at 5:30 am to the sounds of Sand hill cranes, geese and cows. We were on the bike when it was still cool, overcast and comfortable. 

After 33 miles we rolled into Lima and found Kathy at the RV park where she camped overnight.  She had jugs of water ready and we started the resupply for the next couple of days. The check valve on the water filter needed to be fixed and we rearranged gear to add more water bottles. We headed over to the gas station and loaded up on sweet and salty treats and some sandwiches for lunch.  

The sun was out when we left town on a paved, 8 mile frontage road with a slight downhill and a real tailwind. It was a treat to go fast for a little while. We turned into a canyon and the heat started to build.  We were following a creek and I remembered the advice a Ranger at the Grand  Canyon gave me about using the water to cool down. We stopped and waded into the creek, rinsed out our shirts and headband and instantly felt the cool relief. 

Of course, the clouds moved in and the wind picked up but it was still pleasant when Joel spotted the mountain goats.  Later in the afternoon I got to experience my first summer rainstorm with strong wind. We threw on the rain gear and waited for the storm to pass. We went to the next camping area that had a spring with nice cold water. We are  the only ones here tonight. Tomorrow I have a big pass to climb. 

 

Biking with Bluebirds and Butterflies - 53 Miles

Wow, what a great first day. After camping near Warm River Monday night, we loaded the car and headed to Island Park. We had a good view of the Teton Mountains and stopped at the Lower and Upper Mesa falls. Kathy said having waterfall mist hit your face before 7am is a good way to start the day. Joel and I got on the bikes at 8:30 and Kathy ( Diane’s sister) drove the Prius. The logistics of this whole adventure became so much easier when Kathy offered to drop us off, resupply us a few times along the way and pick us up at the end. The morning was beautiful with busy Bluebirds flying in and out of their houses, loads of butterflies that would rise up and circle around us and fly alongside. The mountains, sagebrush, and abundant wildflowers added to the spectacular vistas. Red Rock Pass was my first mountain pass but not too much in elevation gain so it was easy. It is also the border between Idaho and Montana so it was time to do a happy dance.  Kathy’s timing was perfect and she arrived to take pictures. Lunch was at the campground at Red Rock Wildlife Refuge and Kathy met us there. The Trumpeter Swans were out on the lake and we biked past a nesting area. Kathy headed out on her own adventure and we continued biking under the hot sun. After 53 miles we stopped at a bridge to get water and make camp. We are in a valley of pasture land and the cows are mooing but there is not a tree around. The only shade was behind a large sign so that is our rest spot. The swallows and hawks are entertaining us tonight.

Mack’s Inn ID

 

Heading West