A Night In Boise, Idaho

We made the beautiful trip from Ogden, Utah, to Boise, Idaho along I-84 arriving at about 1 PM, Mountain Time. The route follows part of the Snake River valley. One recalls that Lewis and Clark and Evil Knivel made the Snake River famous. Near Twin Falls we stopped at a Wendy’s and asked the window gal (after ordering our Frosty) directions to the falls—she didn’t know! Later in Boise we learned the Twin Falls of the Snake River are in the middle of Twin Falls and beautiful and very near the famous site of Evil Knivel’s jump. Like the gal at Wendy’s, we never saw it. However, we did see the beautiful irrigated farmlands in the Snake valley and some magnificent canyons as we drove along at about 3000 feet elevation.

We stopped at the home of Larry and Amy Fisher in Meridian, Idaho, a suburb of Boise the state capital. Larry is a retired J. C. Penny store manager and Amy a still working accountant. Larry took us on a tour (we’ve driven over 2000 miles in 4 days and went out for a ride) of the state capital and the town. Boise is French for trees, and the town sure has them. The Boise River flows through town and past the capital building. It’s a brown state, but a green town for sure. Larry points out that there are no bad neighborhoods, high employment, beautiful scenery, low cost of living, moderate weather, and the state is the most solid Republican in the country! Larry once rode a bike across America with the Lung Association having to raise $5000 for the supported ride. So I decided I better buy Cimarron, The Trail Boss his dinner last night!

Larry has tried to walk the Appalachian Trail two different years. He was amazed that he never made it past 80 miles and 83-year-old Cimarron has done the whole 2171 miles. The Old Trail Boss filled him in on a lot of details and secrets for the successful hike and he showed pictures of his cross-country bike ride. Larry showed a documentary film on the Cross Country Bike ride from which we learned some more about what we are getting into. In particular he advises to buy a large container of “Bag Balm” a product for the udder of cows but also apparently necessary for biking cross-country. Should you be interested it’s available at all cattle and feed stores and some pharmacies.

We went out to eat at their favorite Mexican place and the mariachi band played at our table. That’s the same thing we do on Friday nights in Pensacola at Vallarta’s. This time we skipped the large Marguerita’s.

Yesterday we spoke with Adventure Cycling, the organization that produces all the information and maps for the Cross Country Bike Ride. The web site (www.adventurecycling.org) states that a large forest fire is out of control in the center of Oregon and the bike road is closed to all vehicular traffic. They suggest an alternate route; so we will now definitely go from the mouth of the Columbia at Astoria, Oregon, and follow the River gorge some 300 miles up stream and then cut directly across Western Washington on route 12 into Idaho and then back on the original route. This route will be some 300 miles shorter and there will be much less elevation change. We will miss the Oregon coast; however, highway 101 along the coast was said to be a dangerous route with log trucks and tourists pulling trailers on a curvy road with minimal shoulders. I’ll like my route better. To earn a certificate from Adventure Cycling and to be listed in their cross America log I need to cross the country by my own power and do at least 90% of the original trail. Because of the fire, the gorge route will be official and I’ll then have over 400 miles of acceptable route changes. Perhaps this will allow a side ride to Punxsutawney, my birth town, or to Fredericksburg, VA, where our daughter is about to give birth to the fourth grandchild, and Millie will soon be visiting probably until the child gets out of medical school.

Today we could make it to the start and be riding the bike tomorrow. It’s about 400 miles to Portland, Oregon, and another 70 miles to the mouth of the river and the start. I’m getting pre-event excitement (I don’t allow the kids to be nervous for their events!) and The Trail Boss psyched. He’s rearranging the van and making shopping lists, and says he’ll be happy for me to get out!