Dusty Arco quickly fades away as I set out eastward across the sagebrush steppe at 6:35 am, heading for only a thin band of sunrise beneath an otherwise complete grey haze of clouds. Tiny peaks appear, and as I focus, I recognize the unmistakable contour of THE TETONS! I'm about to reach the ROCKIES!
I was just getting warmed up when I see stopped traffic up ahead, and road construction. No biking allowed on the one driveable lane so the GT2M is loaded into a pickup and driven (yes, driven) through the 8 miles of repaving. (Miles NOT counted in the daily tally) Evidently, this resurfacing project is being financed via President Obama's Stimulus package (of which Idaho received the most per capita in the nation, Washington 2nd most). So Brindil and I have gotten a small perk off Unc Sam. How nice, how long will it take to get paid off? Lots of very straight road with the only interruptions to the sameness being 3 buttes (remnants of volcanic cones), and the entering and exiting signs for the INL (Idaho National Lab) complex. Hmm, what goes on there??
A heaven sent tailwind catches us and into Idaho Falls we sail, at times travelling 18+ mph barely pedalling, reaching town at 1:15p. Time for a hottub, walk to the library and tour of the downtown, incl. the impressive falls and discovery of Grandpa's BBQ. Lloyd and Lorretta make some fine applewood-fired BBQ (and collards, baked beans and sweet potato pie) and I enjoyed chatting with them between bites.
A big grey cloud settles over town this evening and, in the course of 30 minutes, rains, hails and blows everything around that's not bolted down. I remember opening my Motel West door and having a small pile of dime-size icechips blow in, covering the doormat. I was momentarily trying to think what the appropriate response was in the event of a tornado. [According to The Weather Channel, the meteorological group Vortex2, weather geeks who spend their days chasing tornadoes, found one in SE Wyoming today, so I am in the vicinity.]
Was nice to chat to a group of friends tonite having dinner at my house (aka Supper Club). I don't think they have properly allocated or distributed my dessert portions since I've left; there was quite a bit of heated discussion in the background...
I was just getting warmed up when I see stopped traffic up ahead, and road construction. No biking allowed on the one driveable lane so the GT2M is loaded into a pickup and driven (yes, driven) through the 8 miles of repaving. (Miles NOT counted in the daily tally) Evidently, this resurfacing project is being financed via President Obama's Stimulus package (of which Idaho received the most per capita in the nation, Washington 2nd most). So Brindil and I have gotten a small perk off Unc Sam. How nice, how long will it take to get paid off? Lots of very straight road with the only interruptions to the sameness being 3 buttes (remnants of volcanic cones), and the entering and exiting signs for the INL (Idaho National Lab) complex. Hmm, what goes on there??
A heaven sent tailwind catches us and into Idaho Falls we sail, at times travelling 18+ mph barely pedalling, reaching town at 1:15p. Time for a hottub, walk to the library and tour of the downtown, incl. the impressive falls and discovery of Grandpa's BBQ. Lloyd and Lorretta make some fine applewood-fired BBQ (and collards, baked beans and sweet potato pie) and I enjoyed chatting with them between bites.
A big grey cloud settles over town this evening and, in the course of 30 minutes, rains, hails and blows everything around that's not bolted down. I remember opening my Motel West door and having a small pile of dime-size icechips blow in, covering the doormat. I was momentarily trying to think what the appropriate response was in the event of a tornado. [According to The Weather Channel, the meteorological group Vortex2, weather geeks who spend their days chasing tornadoes, found one in SE Wyoming today, so I am in the vicinity.]
Was nice to chat to a group of friends tonite having dinner at my house (aka Supper Club). I don't think they have properly allocated or distributed my dessert portions since I've left; there was quite a bit of heated discussion in the background...
Where is Brindil when you're eating, drinking and chatting in a restaurant?
ReplyDelete