Day 5 - Wednesday

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Boise, Idaho, United States
Curves. And lots of them. From the 99 miles of US 12, the 20 miles of hwy 13, and the 199 miles of US 95, there are countless curves (or as bikers call them, twisties) between these three roads.

When I woke up this morning, I was glad that I chose to sleep in a rustic cabin rather than in my tent, because at 7:00am this morning, it was 32 degrees outside . My bike and all the cars had frost on them! Brrrrrrr! So, I wasn't in too big of a hurry to get going this morning. Luckily, the restaurant was right across the road, so I grabbed some breakfast while it slowly started warming back up outside. I had a good conversation with the bartender guy - he told me about his time living in Spain and how his dad (widowed) flies to Hawaii to mingle with the widow women. I guess it never occurred to me, but I guess Hawaii has an abundance of older widowed women. It makes sense I guess; they and their husbands move down there when they retire and the husbands die off. Bingo! He even called his dad a "rooster". Hmmmm....

Left Lolo Hot Springs, MT and headed west on US 12 heading to Kooskia, ID. I was worried that after riding St. Joe River Scenic Byway the day before, that riding US 12 wouldn't have much appeal left. Fortunately, after riding this road, it is quite a bit different type of road than St. Joe. It is more sweeping, faster curves than sharp turns . Not quite as scenic as St. Joe, but fun nevertheless. So they both are great and highly recommended. At lunch at Kooskia, where I talked with another biker from Alberta that was heading west into Oregon to the annual BMW motorcycle convention. I've seen many BMW bikes on the road today.

From here, I turned south on hwy 13 (lots of fun on this road!). Got to Grangeville, and hopped on US 95 heading south to Boise (199 miles). This road had a lot of everything, from curvy mountain driving, to long stretches of straight road down the valley. I was starting to feel like I was driving one of the roads back home again (ugh!), but luckily the road turned and went back into the mountains.

Once I got close to Boise, I noticed how it went from green, lush forest to treeless and desert-like. Of course, with this the temperature went from mid 70's to near 90 across this transition, just in time for yet another construction zone to stop me so I can cook in the sun .

Made it to Tony's house in southwestern Boise. Very nice house and neighborhood. We ate pizza out on his back patio - NO MOSQUITOES! Here, you can actually have a patio AND enjoy it as well. Just amazing!

Boise is pretty much on a desert plain, so wherever the sprinklers don't hit, it's dry. But in the city of Boise, everything is very green.

Just having a great time hanging out with Tony tonight.
Didn't take much for pictures today - needed to put some miles on today to make up for the late start. I guess you'll just have to come to Idaho and see it for yourself! :)

Boise is the turning point of my trip - starting tomorrow, I will no longer be heading west, and will start to head back east towards home (eventually). Tear ;(

Today's Miles: 336

Photos & Videos

Legacy Video (flv)
Legacy Video (flv)

Comments

Leah Delaney
2010-07-16

Question: where did you say you had breakfast? Just wondering, cuz you said you were talking to the bartender. There's like no Denny's or anything around?!

jon.reinpold
2010-07-18

The bar is open from 6:30am til 11:30pm. It is the only place in Lolo Hot Springs for any food at all.

2025-02-07

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