We awoke this morning knowing that today would be our last day to ride, and that we would stop riding in Burley, Idaho. We decided a few days ago that logistics would just work out much better all the way around if we drove in to Ken & Kris' house on Tuesday, spent the night and most of Wednesday with them, and then drove part way home Wednesday evening so that we could arrive home early enough Thursday for Dennis and Lea to get back to Wenatchee at a reasonable hour.

So Lea drove us back to Buhl and about 8:10 AM we began our last stage. We knew the day would get hot again (high of 88 for Twin Falls), but that the forecast was also for winds from the west that should speed us along. Dennis had decided not to ride today, so it was just Ann and me.

We warmed up our legs riding through the town of Buhl until we got to the east end where we could feel the wind behind us. The 15 miles to Twin Falls went quickly. After a brief rest at the hotel, where Dennis & Lea were just checking out, we got back on US 30 and headed out.

The land reminded us in many ways of the Columbia Basin. Lots of farms with hay, wheat, peas, sugar beets, and some crops we couldn't identify. It is all there because of irrigation canals that bring water to what would otherwise be arid desert.


We rode up to newly baled hay field where a hawk was hanging in the wind hoping to snag a field mouse. But then we saw that the entire field was full of hawks! Alternately rising and landing they were all looking for an easy meal in this field.

As we continued east, the distant mountains came closer and closer. Wind turbines were scattered across the landscape, but not close enough for us to hear them like we did last week.

The miles rolled by as we made over 16 mph average on this last day. A brief stop for a Coke in the small (really small) town of Murtaugh re-energized us for the last 18 miles. We almost flew into Burley where Dennis and Lea and Jetson were waiting with a celebratory lunch at a nice shady park.

A closing note from Ann: This has been an incredible ride. It was harder than I expected, but also beautiful and rewarding. Both in great times and in challenging moments, I had to thank God for being able to experience an adventure like this. There's nothing like seeing the land from the saddle of a bicycle. We've learned a lot for future sections of our cross-country adventure, like be in better shape to start, and take a day off every week! But it's been great. Thanks to all of you who communicated that you were following this blog - I never would have expected so many to be interested! God bless us, every one!