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Day 65 - 72 Coast To Coast 1999 by Eric K. Andersen (click on images to see larger pictures)
Day 65 Missoula, MT I walked around downtown Missoula and picked up something warm to wear since it's been very cool out. I went to the movies in the afternoon and then again in the evening with Larry and Jason after they checked into the hostel. The TT's did not make it to town yet. After the movie the sky was ablaze from the setting sun. People gathered on the bridge downtown to watch it. Below the bridge a beaver swam in the river. Total Miles: 0
Day
67 Lolo Hot Springs, MT A thin coat of ice covered
my tent and bicycle this morning. The sun was on the other 
side
of the valley and I hurriedly broke camp to get to its warmth. It
was cold! I had breakfast at the lodge on the sunny side and afterwards
spent several minutes talking to a motorcyclist about the joys of two wheeled
travel. I saw a deer as I left town and headed up to Lolo Pass and
into Idaho. Once over the pass it was all downhill for the rest of
the day and into the next. I stopped at the Lochsa lodge for a quick cinnamon
roll and picked up food for the ride. There would not be another place to
stop for 60 miles. 
The road followed the Lochsa river curving with every bend. A few
logging trucks passed but since it was the holiday weekend there weren't
as many as I'd been warned about. Small waterfalls cascaded from streams
feeding the river and Swallowtail butterflies were everywhere sometimes
bouncing of my helmet and chest. The river was full of rafters and kayakers
enjoying the great weather and holiday weekend. I expected Lowell
to be crowded with weekenders, but it was quiet when I arrived.
I got a campsite for $5 at the only
place in town and after a soak in the pool(!) and some conversation
with a Dutch couple bicycling east, I settled in for the night. Just
as I was packing up for the evening Larry rolled into camp with a big Chesire
Cat grin on his face. He had come all the way from Missoula. Over
125 miles. Total Miles: 86
Day 68 Lowell, ID After
Larry and I had breakfast I headed out. Larry decided to take a rest day
and wait for Jason to catch up. The road continued along the river which
was now The Selway which met the Lochsa at Lowell. I picked up a sandwich
in Kooskia and after Harpster began what was the steepest climb on the trip
so far. It was hot and the grade was 6% for at least 5 of the 10 mile climb.
After Grangeville
the road climbed for another 5 miles before descending into the Salmon River
valley near Whitebird where I spent the night. Whitebird
was the site of a major Indian battle with the Nez Perce. I was told the
temperature hit 96 today. Total
Miles: 66Day 69 Whitebird, ID I was on the road by 6:30. It was cool with a few clouds. It seemed that every road in Idaho followed a river and this morning it was The Salmon. I came into the major whitewater rafting town of Riggins and had breakfast. The river became the Little Salmon and I followed it up to New Meadows. It was about 5pm but I decided to head to Council for the night. After some ice cream I headed up for about 7 miles before descending down another 19. I made it town around 7pm and and went for pizza and as I was waiting for my food I started to feel ill. I ate the pie and went back to my motel room were I promptly became sick. I could not figure out what I ate that made me ill. I think it must have been something I had for lunch. Total Miles: 89
Day 70 Council, ID I spent the day sleeping and recovering in bed. I didn't get up until 6pm when I felt a little better. I walked into town and got a milk shake. I went back to my room and slept some more. Total Miles: 0
He told me about a campground up ahead where I could get water. He didn't
offer me any. He must have used all his up putting out the fire. The Snake
river is dammed several times forming reservoirs. Along the side of
the river overweight, sunburned fisherman drank beers from ice filled coolers
and fried in the hot sun. I passed a rider going east who was towing the
same bicycleR evolution trailer. We spoke for a while and posed for
pictures. I asked about what was up ahead. "Not too much"
he said. I made it to Pine Creek, Oregon and drank and ate and drank and
ate and drank and drank. I continued on to Halfway for the night. Considering
my state of health and the heat I did pretty well today. Halfway is
considering changing its name to half.com as a promotion for
the web site and to draw tourists. (Since I wrote this they have done
so.) Total Miles: 79
"Lots of wild life up thern a jut row sis sheep, deer and fooher"
is what it sounded like. I headed back out into the hot sun and before I
got to the top of the next ridge I finished up the cool water in my Camelback.
I had been pouring the hot water from my water bottles on my head all day
and there was not much left. Besides, the hot water was barely drinkable.
Finally I made it to the top and then coasted the 8 miles into Baker
City. On the outskirts of town I rolled into a campground and
quenched my thirst with a large drink from the soda fountain. I rested
for a while before heading into town for dinner. I found a motel with a
pool and took a dip before having a slice of pie in the cafe.
Total Miles: 55|
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