Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

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Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

I started today with a lot of trepidation about my route. I really wanted to take US-12 across Lolo pass and into the 99+ miles of twisty road on the far side, but the weather reports made me nervous. They were predicting snow. The morning in Missoula, MT was cold – around 40F and partly sunny. I could see the rain clouds off to the North, but I was going to go south to Lolo. Just before I left the motel, I checked the live webcam Lolo Pass Live Webcam and saw it was snowing with lots of snow on the sides of the road. arg.

 

I mustered up some courage and decided to go for it anyways. I talked myself into riding up to see how far I could go. At the worst, I’d have to turn around like the cow from a few days ago (ok worst would be crashing and getting hurt). Luckily, neither of those things happened.

 

I filled up in Lolo as per the recommendations from the Internet. It was supposedly 120 miles between gas stops, and I wanted every little precious drop to get me to the other side. The wind was bitterly cold coming down off the mountain. It felt like it was blowing through my clava right onto my neck. I pulled over and put another layer on my neck, and then all was good. The heated coat and heated grips did their job nicely. I was also very happy to have the hippo hands too.

 

The sun was shining at first while the snow flakes flew onto my face shield. An experience I am familiar with after almost four years of no car in Minnesota. The three winters I’ve ridden have been good teachers on dealing with these conditions. I just focused on being smooth and steady while keeping a close eye on the constantly changing road. I don’t have the Ural’s 3rd wheel to save me from a fall here!

 

I made it to the top of the pass quicker than I expected. I stopped to take all the requisite pictures.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

 

The parking lot of the pass’s visitor center was empty. It was closed. The snow banks were almost two feet high along the road. Just after the pass, I found the sign Fuzzygalore wanted to see “winding road next 99 miles”. Click through to see the exact location on a map.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

Going down was the same as going up. The road was a bit more wet with snow on the Idaho side though.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

Once I got off the mountain, the snow changed to rain, and then cleared up.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

It was beautiful scenery.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

The road was nice too. As those of you watching on the SPOT map, I was making slow progress. I stopped a LOT, so I could enjoy the views (check out all the pics on flickr). There is a gas station about 48 miles west of Lolo at the Lochsa Lodge too, and then again at Kooskia (65 miles west of Lochsa). No need to worry about gas.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

The scenery at first reminded me of Colorado with some bits of the Swiss Alps sprinkled in, and the later half of the “Northwestern Scenic Passage” reminded me of Colorado mixed with the Yangtze River Three Gorges area in China. When I told me wife about my day with those references, she complained she’d never been to any of those places, so it didn’t help her picture it. No worries. I took a bunch of pictures (and video). I’m not sure when I will get the video up.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

One of my first stops was at the Devoto Grove. A grove of very large, old-growth cedar trees along the Lochsa River. Man my gear makes me look fat! lol.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

I stopped for a few pictures, and then went back for my snacks. I found a sunny spot on the rocks along the bank of the river and devoured my goodies I had purchased at the bakery earlier.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

It was great. The only sounds were the river, and me making mmmm noises. The blackberry muffins were good!

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

A few hours later I stopped for lunch again along the river. It was great to sit in the sun and relax. I could get used to this.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

I took time to smell the flowers too.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

My last big stop on US12 was at one of the rest stops on the Scenic Passage. I was quite tired, so I took a quick nap on a picnic table. The only noise was the river gurgling away. I woke up and had another snack. A Idaho highway patrol was also taking a break. He smiled and waved, and so did I. How can you not smile with such nice scenery?

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

There were several waterfalls along the route today too

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

and lots of bridges

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

I followed US12 to Lewiston, which smelled horrible. Some industrial plant making something smelly. Yuck. Without delay, I got on US95 and headed north up one of the large hills that had flanked the river for the past few hours. It was called Lewiston Hill and had a great view from the top. The Old Spiral Road looked like fun, but I was too tired to explore it. It is the noodle shaped road in the photo below.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

US95 wound it’s way north through farm lands and around the large hills as it passed through several small towns. One was named Moscow.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

I was tempted to stop there for the night, since Missoula to Moscow has a better ring to it than Missoula to Coeur d'Alene (CdA), but I wanted to get closer to Canada. I wanted to stop before CdA, but didn’t find anywhere to stop. There wasn’t much of anything north of Moscow, so I just rode.

 

Tomorrow I intend to cross into Canada. I hope I can continue this regular posting schedule, but that will greatly depend on finding reliable Internet which I feel will be more sparse the further north I go.

 

Thanks for all the comments, likes, and tweets. I appreciate the support!

 

 

I saw this sign in a bathroom somewhere today. I was confused why they went through the trouble make it in the first place much less frame it. “don’t flush it, it will flush itself” huh?! I let it flush itself. I didn’t want it to explode or something.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 4–Missoula to Coeur d'Alene

 

 

Full flickr album 61 pics

 

Today's route:


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Other Posts in the series:

14 comments:

  1. Chris:

    thanks for the memories. On our way back from Montana last year, we also stopped at that 99 mile sign. Looks like you also stopped by the river on the left side where we also stopped, then we stopped again at that suspension bridge over the river. I suppose that great minds think alike.

    did you know that you are only 1 days ride from Vancouver ?

    ride safe
    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. glad I could help bob! I guess great minds DO think alike. lol!

      I didn't realize I was only one day away. hmm. and now I'm across the border...

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  2. Good riding day. Yeah, lots of eating too ;-). Loving the pics--roads look amazing--even when wet. Continued focused riding.

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    1. it was a good riding day. the road would have been more amazing dry. I suppose it is good it was wet, so I went a bit slower and behaved myself.

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  3. BTW, did you stop at MaryJane Farms while in Moscow?

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    1. no I wanted to, but it was a bit late, and I was exhausted. I was bummed about missing it. I even had it in my gps.

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  4. I am glad you decided to do Lolo pass, you would have kicked yourself later if you found out it was rideable and you chose a different route.

    I haven't been to Idaho in years. We used to live in Creston, BC and would drop down into Bonner's Ferry and Sandpoint shopping. Can't wait to see where you ride in Canada.

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    1. I'm glad I decided to do it too.

      I went to Bonner's Ferry and Sandpoint today. The scenery in BC is wow.

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  6. Great job and nice photos. The Lolo Pass is definitely a ride all motorcycle enthusiasts should try. Glad you went for it...you would've regretted having missed it.

    Keep going!

    Dan

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    1. Thanks Dan it was a great ride. One for my top 10 motorcycle roads. 95 into BC is also amazing. I kept saying wow all afternoon.

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  7. So far, looks like you're skating the real weather with skill and good luck. Keep it up. I hiked to the river and back, today. Ran the stairs to the bridge (at least as close to a run as I can manage). We're having great weather in MN, close to 80 today. Wish I were there, though. I miss the mountains.

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    1. we both know it's probably more luck than skill :)

      awesome! I'm glad you're keeping the walk up. you'll be kicking my butt when I get back for sure. I am not walking much right now. too much riding. 80 is a bit warm, but today's high of 50 felt warm after spending most of the day at 40f.

      I know what you mean. I didn't realize how much I missed the mountains.

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