Home from John Day, Oregon

One thing I did want to mention in this post that I had forgotten in the last one. When we had our dinners at the rally we were treated to a lovely surprise by the local schools. The children had made placemats for us all. Here are just a couple of the ones I had. What a great sense of community when in this lovely little town.

I had the most fantastic ride home from John Day rally. If not for Joe I would have done the same ole same ole. Up 395 to Spokane and north to Hwy 3 and home but he wanted to be different and plotted out some back roads. Principally No. 3. Then we did not leave together so when I was ready I set out on my own and turned north somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I got to a small town and was uncertain where to go so continued north, through a stretch of gravel and road repair I forged on and ended up in Granite, Oregon. Not even on my map. One paved road heading straight up the mountain with homes and shops on either side. I stopped at the Outpost for coffee and directions.

I had to serve myself  and  when I asked how to get back on track was told to go back to the road I came in on. Turn right, go 11 miles and turn right again and this brought me back out on the interstate a little north of where I wanted to be. I was on forestry road 51. It was paved (kind of). Cows standing in the road, deer running in front of me and I was all ALONE. No traffic whatsover. There was the odd farmhouse. 

I discovered this lovely campsite because I was looking for a bathroom. Must figure out where it is and go back there sometime.

I got back on 3 and stopped at Elgin for fuel.

A while later I saw a pullout for Hell's Canyon and there was Joe. I had passed numerous roads for Hell's Canyon in Idaho and I believe the east side is in Idaho and the west side is in Oregon and at one point you cut across a corner of Washington State. It is the deepest gorge in North America  absolutely beautiful.

After leaving this beautiful overlook we wound down, down , down into the canyon and up the other side. This stretch is called the Rattlesnake.

From here Joe and I travelled on together. When we reached Lewiston I was hot and tired and after 10 days in a tent said I see a motel in my future. We ended up staying at the Casino in Lewiston. Once again it came into play. The next morning we got back on 3. At Dearly one could choose to stay on 3 or go 6 and 9 . They both came out at St. Maries but 6 and 9 were dotted to indicate scenic so we chose to go that way.  Hiway 9 is one of those awesome S roads where you just can get in the groove which Joe and I did.  No traffic just trees at 68 miles per hour. Trouble is the speed limit in Idaho is 55. The state trooper coming the other direction did not particularily like us enjoying ourselves so he whipped around and pulled us over. He actually was very nice and did not give us a ticket. We carried in at a slower speed. In St Maries we went to a delightful restaurant on main street I had been to once before and the waitress was filling in for her Mom who was in a meeting. What fun we had on the premise she didn't work there and really didn't give a shit. Delightful stop. Joe said if he stayed in a motel last night. Free campground this night and I knew just where to go. We stopped in Libby and bought some groceries for dinner and I took him to the Libby dam. Beautiful well cared for campsite right on the Columbia River. Packed up the next day and headed home up Hwy 37 to Eureka. Only 1 deer got in our way but we were watching. Stopped at duty free and I stopped at Fernie for COFFEE so Joe carried on as he was going to Lethbridge. Wonderful Wonderful trip.