Challis, Idaho
45 miles today, about 350 total
There are views sometimes that make me feel I'm back in the Himalayas. And I gave to remind myself I'm in the good 'ole US of A. Tonight I have a pastoral view if cattle grazing on lush grass behind rustic, wooden fences, softly mooing; and behind them snow capped majestic mountains in all directions. Why am I so lucky? I sometimes ask myself.
Today I biked over a +7500 ft summit and came down 10 miles in the rain. Whee!! Just as I got to this incredible canyon with high stone walls that the road goes through, the rain stopped. And so did I to take it all in. Pictures do not do it justice. Ya gotta see it for yourself. My brother asked me, before I left Riverton, "Why do you do this?". And I didn't really have an answer. Today I did. So I can feel alive!!!!!! The people I meet, the views I see, biking uphill in the rain, talking to the animals that come over to greet me by the side of the road. All of that and more! Tonight I'm enjoying the setting sun, cool breezes, and sounds of birds I can't identify (sorry, Fuat;)). Life is good!
Today was rich and full. Besides the fun of the climb and the rain, I met a real live working cowboy, Curtis who was out herding his cattle back up away from the road. His horse's name was Chrome. He had 2 herding dogs with him too. He said he was a rarity and that around here there are some cattle that have never seen a horse. Cowboy on a horse is a dying breed. Glad I got to meet a real one! And see him working, too!
I also saw an albino calf. Oh how I wish I could have gotten a picture but my good camera doesn't come out in the rain. I also saw roadrunners. Birds that run across the road. I hope that's what they're called.
Then, as if this all wasnt enough for today, I biked into Challis and spotted this mural.
Thats just part of it. And this guy walks up to me and asks me if I'd like to know the history of the painting. Of course! Well, he painted it 2 years ago from a photo taken on July 4, 1898 that his mother-in-law had. It was a picture taken right here in Challis and the photo has the names of everyone in it written on it. Thanks Denis Dubois! What a serendipitous meeting. Trail magic keeps happening all over the place.
And the last thing I want to mention is all the waving from drivers here in Idaho. More drivers wave than don't. Really warms my heart! A wave. A toot. I feel so welcome on the road. Idahoans are sure warm and friendly! Thank you!!
Oh and last night I slept up in the tumbleweeds. And tonight I'm sleeping in a small pavilion about big horn sheep. Maybe it will help keep my tent dry during those early morning rains. (it's just that cement is sooo hard!)
Pedal on, Pedal on
Saddle BagLady
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I thought my post got posted. Maybe not.
ReplyDeleteThey are a friendly lot in Idaho, especially cow and river country.
Secret to the waves. One finger over the steering wheel is Hi to you. Two fingers over the steering wheel is Hi to you and your horse. Your trusty steed Blaze.
I still wave this way after all those years in ID
Missy