Day 72

Wending our way along the 'Snake River' in 'Devils Canyon' to Halfway in Oregon ( 58 miles).
2nd puncture of the trip and realisation that my back tyre had all but had it, time to use the spare.
Back to camping tonight after night of luxury( well, even cheap motels can seem luxurious), put up tent, promptly stung twice by a wasp. Ow! That hurt!
'Halfway' has a small population of 337 but a big claim. Although, I think the wilder side refers to fishing etc.

Day 71

New Meadows to Cambridge( photo below) 47 miles. Time for showers and laundry. Met up again with 'The Handlebarbarians'( our American friends). They had intended to cycle 80 miles, but gave up earlier( maybe we are all getting a little tired?)
Looking towards arrangements for the end of the trip. It looks as though Christopher and I will reach Astoria on the 11th of August. Martin had decided to finish his route at the other end point, Florence. This is to give himself time to go back to Portland for a longer visit. From Astoria I will cycle to Seattle, my designated end point, probably by the 14th or 15th of August.

Day 70

White Bird to New Meadows, 64 miles through an area called 'Hells Canyon '. Vast sandstone mountains along the Salmon River (nice for a paddle), very warm, high 90's. Camped in the town park, no showers again. may need to motel tomorrow or a health warning may be issued. Below a view of very strange church sign, a notice of interest and a handy cyclists resting place.

Day 69

Syringa to White Bird, 62 miles. Started the day with a continuation of our ride along the Lochsa River to Kooskia, within a indian reservation for breakfast. This was followed by yet another climb (3000 ft) and then the most spectacular downhill of 3000 ft into the most incredible valley of sand colour mountains( in my view best stretch of the trip). We arrived at White Bird about 6pm to yet another bath on the creek and supper in the one and only local bar/restaurant. Beginning to see the end in sight which brings mixed emotions. Yes it would be good to see family and nice to get the normality of showers and clean clothes, but difficult to end such an adventure.

Day 68

Our route today took us along the Lochsa river for the whole 72 mile day to Syringa, via Lowell. Population 24 or is it 23(see picture below). No services, houses or anything else for 65 of those miles, just stunning river, forests and occasional waterfalls. We have camped on a hill overlooking the river with our American friends. No where to eat so a meal of Macaroni cheese and reconstituted beef stroganoff( beats going to bed hungry). It is a very still night, just the sound of the Cicadas, very peaceful.
There are black bears in this area, not sure how much we should be concerned, but just in case, no food in the tent.

Day 67

Today Missoula to a place called Lochsa Lodge 58 miles. We could not go any further today because there are no services after this point for another 60 miles. We have just crossed over the border into Idaho, again a climb ( do these hills ever stop?), of two thousand feet. UK Not a particularly a hard climb but very hot, mid 90's. We are now in yet another time zone, (pacific time), 8 hours difference with the.
Met up with our young American friends, 'The Handlebarbarians', from earlier in the trip, good to see them again and compare stories. We are camping together tonight and will probably be alongside each other for a day or two. Again the scenery is spectacular( I know I keep saying this) but it is. Endless empty roads though the hills, mountains and valley's. We have seen humming birds a number of times on the trip, today finally got a photo.

Day 66

Today Darby to Missoula, 67 miles. Parted with Daniel today, ( he is just too fast for us). We may meet up with him further along the way. Staying in Missoula with Barbara ( photo below) a keen cyclist and our warm shower host.
Under 1000 miles to do on the route, strange to think this journey will end relatively soon.

Day 65

Started the day early( 7 am) to try to avoid the wind (tends to get stronger as the day goes on). 18 miles by 8.30 and time to stop for breakfast at a diner. Good breakfast, but yet another strange conversation.
A guy starts chatting about our trip etc. Nice guy, apparently normal. Asks how things have been on the road, trucks etc. We say oh not too bad, but sometimes the young bucks in pick up trucks can drive a bit recklessly. " yes " he says, "we all have that problem". And then "that's why I carry a gun with hollow tip bullets" gulp, "that way there ain't gonna be any doubt". My response "oh......nice, check please".
For the uninitiated those type of bullets are designed to cause the most damage. Strange place, with even stranger ideas about some things.
Our ride involved yet another climb, total ascent today 2634ft, but was followed by a reward in the shape of a great down hill. 8 miles without a turn of the pedals, followed by a very pleasant paddle in a river. Our ride had started in extreme cold, surprising considering how hot it is in the day( mid 90's). The area we were starting our ride was called a frost hole. A plateau about 6500 ft up surrounded by mountains. We are much lower tonight about 4000 ft, the lowest we have been since we arrived in Colorado.
75 miles today, to a town called Darby, tomorrow we head to Missoula. This will be our last stop in Montana, before moving into Idaho.
Photos, me and a teepee, not quite sure why.
Our elevenses stop and also look who I finally came across and not in Yellowstone.

Day 64

Hard work, two climbs of nearly 1500 feet, plus strong head wind all day. Not able to manage more than the 48 miles to Jackson, before calling it a day. Although some of us called it a day a little earlier. Was that Christopher I saw getting into the pickup for the last 12 miles? Surely not?
Camping at the back of the only bar/restaurant in town, there is nothing else in town. Tomorrow need to get up extra early to make up some miles.
Lots of long empty roads, thought a queen of the blacktop ( Tarmac in UK) might amuse.

Day 63

Ennis to Dillon 73 miles. Started the day with 2000ft climb on a 7% hill. Fabulous views but climb went on and on.
Stopped a little after climb for an ice cream in a little town called Virginia City ( big name for a small town), followed by another stop 3 miles on for a cake. I think we got a little overwhelmed at the availability of too a highly prized items in such close proximity.
Two longish stops meant that we did not arrive at our camp till 8pm, but still managed a swim and a real shower and supper in the dark.
Tomorrow we are heading on, first stop Jackson. We have been to at least one other Jackson, the names of towns seem to get repeated with some regularity which can be quite confusing.
My companions may look asleep, but no, it's just wifi availability.

Day 62

West Yellowstone to Ennis, Montana  today- 73 miles. More great scenery and very warm after an initially cool start.  Campsite with no showers, so to the river  for a bath(quite pleasant). 

Part of the area we cycled through today suffered an earthquake on the 50's. This caused an enormous earth slide and killed 28 people. It also created a lake and the remnants of the trees can still be seen.

We are now in a cafe awaiting dinner and then are going to venture into the local saloon to listen to a band.  

Day 61

Day off today, to take a tour of the northern half of Yellowstone park( not part of our route). Buffalo, Elk and Bear spotting, with limited results. Saw a number of Buffalo and Elk lazing about in the sunshine and a Bear very briefly in the distance (a little disappointing).
Spectacular canyon and waterfall views, and a number of hot springs.
Not sure days off are very helpful, it is on such days that I feel the weariest.
We are just over the state border into Montana. I calculated today that I have cycled to date just under 3500 miles( no wonder I feel a little tired), but looking forward to getting going again tomorrow.

Day 60

On to West Yellowstone via Lonestar Geyser and Old Faithful, probably the most famous of the Geysers in the park. Geysers erupt with hot water intermittently (Lonestar every 3 hours and Old Faithful every 90 mins). We were lucky enough to see both of them go.

Day 59

Cycled on to Grant Village in the Yellowstone Park ( no sign of Yogi or Bobo). The first views of Yellowstone, wooded, lodge pole pines, rocky gauges, lakes and the snake river. We camped in the forest at Grant, required to sign a declaration that we know their are grizzly's in the park. We cooked for ourselves tonight and had supper by a campfire, very atmospheric.