Im Back in the Saddle Again or as the famous singer bicyclist Willie Nelson sang On the road again, I just cant wait to get on the road again Ok he was not a cyclist just a singer but the song applies. After two days of resting my knee, picking up the truck in Grangeville Idaho and then returning to Kettle Falls Washington, I am riding againback in the saddle. Our truck is fixed and running smoothly and we are grateful. I spent two days stretching, icing and using Voltaren on both my knees. They did very well today with riding 54 miles, 3,200 feet of elevation gain, and maximum grade of 8%. The terrain was beautiful with pine trees lining our roads, brooks and streams running along side of us. There were many gorgeous lakes throughout eastern portion of Washington and Kevin did fish a few of those lakes. We stopped at beautiful place for lunch called Crystal Falls. This is a tiered waterfall with a 60 foot drop. Great place to relax and have lunch then from this point we were about 25 miles from the finish of the day in Ione, Washington. We climbed most of the day
but it was not like climbing Washington Pass. This was a gradual climb for most of the day or about 3,200 feet elevation gain. Then there was that incredible downhill. I do not know if I have ever had more fun on a bicycle than I did riding down 4 miles of the curvy downhill as I did today. It was exciting! I felt like I was in the Tour d France!!!!! I believe I might have been hooting and hollering all the way downI wish I could go down that again but means I would have to climb up the hill to go down. OK no, I will move onward east. Our hotel sits on the Pend Orielle River and offers fabulous views from our room. As soon as we unloaded the truck, Kevin was on the dock fishing. There is a lot of glacier and snow melt in the river so now is not the best time to fish but that does not stop Kevin! I am outside now writing this and admiring the beautiful river. Tomorrow we will follow the Pend Orielle River all day and cross over into Idaho. Big storm moved in tonight over the
hills and river, we had a lot of rain. Hopefully that will move through and it will be nice and clear as we ride our mostly flat course tomorrow. I would like to dedicate my riding today to the marriage of Jan and Dale Hoover. Yesterday Dale lost his battle with Alzheimers. He will be greatly missed but is in the arms of Jesus as we speak. We love you Jan.
