Wandering North

The day got off to a slow start mainly because Garry and I slept in.I was up until 1:30 this morning because I uploaded several videos and the network was slow. Yesterday I saw a large number of butterflies near the highway and I hit several of them. At 60 mph, there are bound to be some causualties, I suppose. One of them was still stuck to my lower when I parked Big Red yesterday. It was unfortunate to inadvertently kills such beautiful little creatures.

One casualty of the road.

Our stop at Starbucks was brief and because Garry wasn't able finish his coffee he put it in his coffee cup holder. Unfortunately on our ride up The Old Spiral Highway, the combination of steep corners and wind left him wearing some of his coffee. But we live and learn so that probably won't happen again.

Garry's Harley coffee cup holder

After yesterday's incredible rides, today was a day to get back to more normal riding. To ease the transition, we chose to once again ride the Old Spiral Highway. Just as yesterday, it was a fantastic ride. When we reached the top, Jim jokingly said that he felt dizzy.

Almost nine minutes of motorcycle bliss on the Old Spiral Highway.

We stopped at the top to take photos of the valley because the sun was out and the air seemed clearer. While we were stopped we met a couple that was touring the area and doing some of the recreational activities like rafting. They were spending as much time as they could enjoying the country. That is a way of doing things that I can understand.

Part of the Spiral Highway with the Snake River separating Lewiston (l.) & Clarston (r.) below

At the top of the hill.

We took an inadvertent detour along Highway 195 then US 27 which is called 'The Palouse Scenic Byway'. The road winds its way through the rolling farmland of eastern Washington, before crossing the border into Idaho and joining US 95 which runs almost all the way to the Canadian border at Creston, BC.

We ran up to Couer d'Alene, ID, where we stopped at Red Lobster for lunch. Once again we had a saucy waitress who targetted Jim. That guy has a way with the ladies! The waitress, Elke, knew that we were riding motorcycles and asked us if we were wearing our 'brain buckets'. We told that we were and Jim said that he wore his because if he didn't, he would need a hairbrush. Elke asked, 'Why?' It was the best line of the day. 

Leaving Couer d'Alene we ran north to Bonner's Ferry where we stopped at the Three Mile Store for a quick break. Then it was on to the Canadian border at Creston, BC. On the way I was fortunate enough, after several years of trying, to meet a BNSF grain train rolling south to Boner's Ferry, ID. It was the first time I have ever been lucky enough to see and record an entire train without obstructions. I would have preferred to see a CP train, but I was still happy to get the video.

BNSF grain train

We stopped at the Duty Free to pick up cigarettes for Jim and some alcoholic beverages for Tom and me. Crossing the border was uneventful as it usually is when returning to Canada.

In Creston, we got rooms at the Magnuson Hotel at, what for this trip, was a reasonable rate. The place is quite good, and it is a real bonus to be able to bring our gear right to our front door. We also will get a good breakfast tomorrow so we can start the day with full tummies. It is good to be back in Canada, and if the weather continues to hold, this week should be really excellent.