Thursday, July 11, 2013

Salmon, ID and Cabin Creek (Day Nineteen)

After a big breakfast of Bubba's English Muffins, we escaped from our box unscathed. Then we were off to find the ideal blog writing headquarters within the town of Salmon. Much was accomplished at the Coffee Shop, which was actually a diner. One can only sit in a diner and drink coffee for so long, so we continued in the direction of the Sacagawea Center. Seeing signs asking a fee to be paid, we were prepared to leave, but scouted the outskirts anyway. We soon met the host who let us know that there was indeed a bicycle shop in this small town.

Not sure what to expect, we followed his directions to The Hub, a recently opened bike shop and bar combo. Perfect for cycle tourists, Kevin was able to find and install the new rear tire he needed while Laura drank cider, ate rosemary pizza, and continued to write while sitting in a comfy chair in an air conditioned room. With courtyard, live music, and bar stools made out of horse saddles, this was a fun place and we wish their business well. Retuned, refueled, and refreshed, we pointed our wheels south out of town with a small amount of regret as the evening string band began to play.

Sprinting along the edge of the flawlessly straight highway south out of town, we rushed to escape the farm fields and higher traffic volumes. Soon we joined the bank of the Salmon River once again, winding into steepening canyons of the ancient river gorge.

Dreaming of water colder and cleaner than the warm stuff left in our bottles, we paused at a homestead in a curious S bend. Greeted cheerfully and our bottles quickly filled with cold, delicious well water, the owner of this stretch of river, proud of his unique and beautiful land, let us know that Sacagawea and her people would fish and camp along this unusually protected stretch. During the winter, the high canyon walls and curve of the river leave it relatively protected from harsh weather. With a reminder not to go stomping in the brush with exposed ankles (rattlesnakes) we were on our way.

Several miles closer to Challis, we spied an inviting sandy beach on a grade lower than the highway. Ponderosa, soft sand, campfire ring already built, we heated a rock for tortillas and had an all-you-can-eat taco buffet. With an abundance of both bats and swallows on patrol, we enjoyed a night free of flying, biting insects.

1 comment:

  1. So glad you're taking time to update the blog, as I've been enjoying all your recent posts. Rosemary pizza... yum!

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