A long loop with unknown impediments requires an early departure. Snow and fire kept us out of the Trinity Recreation area this year. I’m curious to see what remains. Some effort is required to push the GS uphill through snowdrifts.
I asked the day before where she’d like to go for a Saturday outing. “The river.” I liked her choice, though if you know Brenna, you won’t be surprised to learn the simple idea turned into a plan with detailed requirements.
I ride for an autumn night by myself near Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains but am kept from my intended destination by wildfire. I find myself camped instead near an old fishway and falls along the Middle Fork of the Salmon, gateway to wilderness and “river of no return.” I spend the evening exploring on foot and the morning trying to warm up.
Thanks to a Facebook note from an old co-worker, Jon Forst, I was reminded of this annual, world class hillclimb event, The Big Nasty, less than an hour from home. I thought it would be a good event for just Hunter and I — some man time.
¹ http://www.bignastyhillclimb.com/; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Nasty-Hillclimb/229332530446786
The fourth day we would go from The Cedars campground by Red Ives Ranger Station through the mountains to Crater Peak. I wasn't sure how long it would take.
Marble Creek through Avery, up to Stateline Road and down to Diamond Lake in Montana. The southern line is part of our return route.
After a suspension rebuild, new final drive seals and whatever else, the final step was to wire in six one-to-two amp USB ports for all the gizmos.
Eager for a spring ride, I flew around in Google Earth and found a day-long route with highlights along the Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway — an ancient shoreline, waterfall and big canyons.
After McDonald's, we walked along the river to see the usual spring path flooding.
Happy Trails nerf bars and skid plate were applied to Joel's KLR the night before our ride. Thanks to Ed for making that come together in spite of not officially having all the parts in stock.
Joel used my faux dremel to clean up some plastic edges then accidently touched it on the windshield for the final, finishing touch.
Tyson and I ride our big bikes through the desert from Boise to Juntura, Oregon with a gnarly stop in Dry Creek Gorge. Dinner at the Oasis caps a day that ends with us flying home on the darkened Interstate.
Straight ahead.
If I get a snow day then Brenna does too. Roads too slippery for commuting give us a day to see the neighborhood recast in white.