| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Doc |
Posted - 03/27/2008 : 23:12:21
Highway Hawgs US Tour 2007
Sounds like a great bike run doesn't it? Well it was but I'm the only one that showed up. Usual for something that I plan. Anyway, everyone that was going was kept from it by their wives except one guy who's wife got a new job so I can't really blame him.
So, lets see, I left at 4:50am on 8-8-07.
It was a beautiful stary morning. I was both excited and depressed at the same time. Excited for the ride but depressed because I was going alone again.
I knew it was going to be a fast trip and it was. I did 80 mph most of the way to Boise.
For me, the trip will start there. I was so tired. I got lost in Boise and a biker was riding by and gave me directions to my hotel. Turned out he road with Bikers for Christ.
I found my hotel and checked in. Then went to find my brother Mark.
I got to his house without incident. Us and his wife Valerie and daughter Tavia all went out to dinner.
We had a great time laughing and just relaxing.
I left there and went back to my hotel and after we agreed that I would meet them for breakfast.
I had a so-so night without my wife laying next to me.
I got up early and got packed for my days ride. I was so looking forward to it until I walked outside and noticed the thunderstorm coming in. Damn!!!
I rode to Marks and we tracked the storm for a while in the morning. I decided that it was not going to be a kind day on the road so I decided to stay another night.
I joined Mark and the family for a fun day at the carnival. We had a great time walking around and watching the kids ride the rides. I gave Tavia a ride to the carnival on the bike and back home again. I think she enjoyed herself.
Devon, gave up his room for me and I do appreciate it very much. Matter of fact that was the only good nights rest I got until I got home again, so thank you very much.
Mark tried to talk me into staying again because of the fires they were having in the area that I was suppose to be riding in, but I told him that I had already tracked the fires before I left and knew that I would be no were near any of them. Come to find out, everyone was trying to talk me out of this trip. Haha, no way. I looked forward to it for to long to give up now.
I headed out of town via the 21 east towards Idaho City. It was such a beautiful ride and I could see the salmon running in the river. Not very big but still it was exciting. I was mostly looking forward to seeing some animals. I had wish list for sitings, Deer, Elk, Moose and Bear.
I got half of them on this trip.
I rode by myself until I got to this little town before Stanley. I filled up and started talking with some other riders and found out we were all heading the same way so we joined up for a short ride to Stanley where we ate at a great steak place and got my motel room.
I have to thank Rick, Mike and Dan for a great time before I forget later in this story.
The next morning we got up and had breakfast and filled up.
We all were still heading in the same general direction so we mounted up and started our ride. We ran along the Salmon river. I have to say it is a very beautiful river.
It was my turn to lead the group, so I headed out first and no sooner got out of town and around the first bend when there were two deer coming down the slope about 20 feet from me and just as fast they made a u-turn and were running back up. I was real excited now.
Dan was headed to Hamilton, Mt and Rick and Mike were on there way to Glacier and I was looking for Lolo Mt.
On our trip we made a detour and went to Wisdom Mt and that is a must go for anyone riding or driving. On the way we passed one of the indian battle grounds.
It was interesting up there.
On the way up we say a real "Mountain Man". Animal skin vest and walking the road. We weren't gone long enough for him to get to the bottom and there wasn't any traffic on this highway but he was not on the road when we went back down the mountain. So he must have headed back into the woods.
We were somewhere around 7000 feet and it was cold. No chaps for me so I was a bit colder than the rest but to excited to care about it and it was all downhill from there.
We had a fantastic ride together but now we are in Hamilton and it is time for us to start parting.
We said by to Dan and shook his had. He was on his way to a friends for a great fishing trip.
Us three rode to Lolo where I got myself a room for the night.
Everywere we went we could smell the fires and sometimes see the smoke but it wasn't that bad for us.
Rick and Mike sat with me for a while before they headed for their adventure.
I have to admit that I really enjoyed the company. I could not have asked for a better time on the road. I hated to see it end but until next time guys.
I was up early and got filled up and skipped breakfast. I was eager to get on this road. It is Hwy 12 going west to Lewiston.
This is the only road I was looking forward to on this trip.
Rick told me that the rode we had come off of was a better road than the hwy12 but I had to see for myself. As far as seeing wildlife he was telling the truth. The only deer I saw in 12 was what ever popped out in front of me. Mostly a blur. Nothing I could sit and just watch for a few moments.
But on the other one out of Stanley, we saw deer, big bucks and turkeys so close I could have kicked them while riding.
Hwy 12 is full of twists and turns but nothing but trees and river. So not much to see because it was so tight but it was fun to ride on.
I did stop in Lowell for fuel and a late breakfast. About 10am.
It was a small store with only two pumps outside. As I walked in, all I saw was two young ladies about 6 and 8 year olds behind the counter. The older of the two asked very politely if she could help me. I asked for gas and told her which pump and to fill it up. She punched some numbers and told me to go ahead and fill up. I was impressed but not as impressed as when I walked back in for my change that she had guess already what I needed and started to count it out.
As I as leaving she wished me a good day and then I saw her mother in an isle on the phone.
She was working hard stocking shelves. Then I went back to the counter and asked the young ladies if the eatery next door was any good. They told me it was great so I had to stop and eat.
The food was good and I met an other couple from Texas which I shared my breakfast time with. They were going the opposite way as me.
Just short of Lewiston, I turned off on 12 to the 95 to the 55 to Boise.
Now this was a nice road and very scenic.
I saw deer, and a moose in a river. As soon as I got close he jumped out and ran for the woods. I thought he was so huge until he jumped up then I realized, OMG, how HUGE he really was.
I've never seen anything like him in my whole life. In all the time I have spent in the woods up and down the cost of Calif, Or and Washintton, I have never seen anything like this.
My trip could not get any better than this, and it didn't.
But I cruised back into Boise and got lost again, haha.
I raced to catch this other biker and his wife/girlfriend and asked them for directions back to the hwy to get me back home again. She gave me directions and I gave them my card and just before I made my turn towards the freeway, they both yelled out that they were Christian bikers. I just smiled and waived and headed for home.
I spent the night just south of Boise in a small town called Mountain Home.
I'll never go there again. Just a dive of a place and I got no sleep.
I was up before sunrise and headed for home. Again, 80-90mph just to get home and see my family.
It was an exciting trip and thanks to everyone that made it great for me.
Doc
Better to be slow in this world than quick into the next. |
| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| coolbikerides |
Posted - 05/07/2008 : 11:42:58
Doc,
I hope you don't mind, I've added this to the website under the stories section. If you'd prefer I remove it, let me know. If you'd like to send a few photos, I'll add them to the story!
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed the read!
Ian
Ian Creswell
Designer of:
www.coolbikerides.com |
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