Hwy 129, Washington, (better than 129 (Tail of the Dragon) at Deal's Gap) southbound out of Lewiston, Idaho into Hell's Canyon on the Oregon side of the Snake River. Two towns in Hell's Canyon grabbed out attention.  Vibrant, active and charming, Enterprise and Joseph.  In the middle of nowhere but alive and thriving.

Heading into the badlands of Hell's Canyon

Joseph Canyon of the Nez Perce region in Hells's Canyon.

Washington side of the Columbia River entering the Columbia Gorge region.  We did pass the train.  All the wind mills were in high gear.  Gas mileage suffered.

Colorado was our favourite. Not any more, Idaho is now the top of the heap.  Plains, scrub land, lava fields, mountains with timber, mountains that look like suede, white water rivers, mountain lakes, ranches, agriculture varieties and wildlife.  
We are now  in Lewiston, Idaho and enter Washington state tomorrow morning.  

Overlooking the Nez Perce battlefield near White Bird.  

Controlled burn of a farm field on a prosper

Tuesday we think!  We got out to our bikes this morning to find a little ash on them from the forest fire on the other side of the mountain in Sun Valley, Ketchum. Heading north in the Cascade Mountain Range we followed a fire vehicle loaded with supplies. One photo shows burnt landscape

Bill, and my Brother Bill had to stop at Billy's Bridge, a Billy Goat viewing area.

Salmon River Canyon. We were so impressed we missed our turn. Had to ride it twice, an hour each way.

Payette River Canyon.  The fuzzy tree was from bug guts on the lens.

These two mountains are the highest of the Cathedral Group.  You will have to do your own research to identify them.  A stop in Jackson's Hole was not cheap.  

One is Grand Teton and the other, Mount Owen.

Monday morning was another beautiful windy ride across Teton Pass and into Idaho.  But that was the last of mountains for the rest of the day.  Wide open plains and scarce human habitant until we started into Sun Valley.  The only place we encountered other travellers was the park at Craters of the Moon.  This is now the third time we have used our annual pass for a national park.  The pic is riding across the actual field in a crater.

Thursday evening we received a warm welcome from Blue Knights of the west coast gathered in Cheyenne for a conference meeting.  Complimentary beverages helped to comfort our wet, cold and tired bodies.  The Historic Plains Hotel took us back in time to the turn of the century, including the legend of Rosie the ghost.  With the Wrangler store across the street, it was obvious we were in Cowboy country.  

Lobby of the Plains Hotel, but Rosie was no were to be seen.

Saturday morning view from our window of the square and Farmer's Market

This morning "Nomad" was up real early and headed for home.  His plan was to wander some more and check out the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore on his way. However he received the news the night previous that his father-in-law, who had been in declining health,had passed away.  Condolences to Pat and Craig from "Lawman" and "Preacher"

Lawman and Preacher, "Bill" and my "Brother Bill" pulled out to continue west.

What a problem trying to keep this blog up. Internet service in Wyoming has two speed, very, very slow and stopped.  So the blog ground to a stop.  
As you can see we found a small town heading west from Cheyenne and just off I-80.

Flaming Gorge Recreation Area.  Three hours to ride around it, but well worth it.

Leaving steamboat springs in the Old Town area looking out to the ski hills and new developed area.  The old town has been protected.

Lunch stop in Walden Colorado, then the weather changed.

It was a good thing we only had 3 hours of riding to make Cheyenne.  We encountered mud and rock slides on route 230 into Wyoming, then hail.  We had to get off the road and this spot was all we could manage, no protection anywhere.  But it was a significant spot for "Preacher" as it related to the latest chapter to his new life.

Cheyenne, with it's history of the west, AWESOME.  The best breakfast so far at the Luxury Diner.  The Plains Hotel, is like the Royal York in Toronto, across from the train station in the center of town.  It is reported that ghost visit the halls and rooms.....

We've had a busy few days and not able to get time to do any updating.  Monday Chaz had the misfortune of being forced off the road by a tractor trailer, during light rain and wet roads.  He went into the centre medium where he and the bike slid on the wet grass.  End result being, Chaz up and walking, no injuries.  The bike however sustained significant damage.  One picture is on the web page of this site "on the road again".  It needed more than a mirror adjustment.  Chaz is now home and arranging the return of his bike.

Tuesday got off to a slow start for the rest of us.  Preacher's bike was not running well.
A shop in Ottawa, Illinois made some adjustments which seamed to correct the problem.
Until we got started down the highway and within 10 miles started acting up again.  So a return the shop and got it solved. The rest of the day was a push to make up some time.
With nothing to see but corn fields we rode into the night and made Omaha, Nebraska.

Wednesday was more corn fields, but then into the great plains scrub land in Nebraska and eastern Colorado.  With good progress we decided to get back on schedule by, again pushing into the evening, and doing Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park and into Rocky Mountain National Park.  What a highlight to do the mountain pass early evening with a setting sun.  BUT we had to do a one and a half hour run in the dark to make our reservation at Nordic Lodge in the old town of Steamboat Springs. Greg, the owner had us set up with a cold beer and pizza from across the road as quick as it took us to unload.
A five Star rating for this place on Trip Advisor will follow.

Thursday morning was a sleep in, only a four hour ride this afternoon to Cheyenne, to make the Blue Knight, West Coast Conference.  

   

Can you see the red light blink on my camera?