“Do not hasten to bid me adieu.”

near White Bird
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The storm clouds came to rain and a little lighting show. It's so nice to wake up indoors to a cool cloudy day of riding. I had a climb to get out of Grangeville, but then a few thousand foot drop to White Bird. The map said to take the windy old highway even though it's longer. I’m glad I did. They must have left it just for bikes- miles of swirling down hill, not a car anywhere and the whole Salmon River valley laid out before me. In White Bird I met a biker from Scotland going my way and we ran in to each other a few times throughout the day. He’s been on the northern tier and Lewis and Clark routes.

Really?
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The ride along the river was beautiful. I know I’ve rafted this river before- maybe twice and I scrutinized every bend and bar for something familiar. I was even tempted to take a half day float- every passing boat seemed to taunt me as I hauled my gear along the hot road. The rock cliffs that make the canyon seemed to be different every mile- different colors, patterns- where are my geology geeks when I need them? The Time Zones are crazy. I was in Pacific Time when I crossed into Idaho but now it seems I must go back to Mountain Time.