Kamiah, Idaho and Nakusp, BC 2013

Went back to work this morning after arriving home yesterday. Now I need to get up to date on the past 2 very exciting weeks. I left Calgary on Thursday and rode to Missoula, Montana arriving at Art and Betty's around 7. Karl and Dodie and Bo Nordin were already there and we went for dinner at Hu Hot. I  helped Betty cut up stuff for breakfast  but I left to get to Big Sky BMW when they opened. The part I ordered was backordered and on further investigation found our it was the wrong one anyway. So I left there and headed up to Lolo and the Hayloft as I had not seen the gang for awhile. Everyone was there. Jerry Abbott, Roger, Jim and Rudy. Just as I finished Karl and Dodie and Bo showed up and Bo and I proceeded to Lewis and Clark resort while Karl and Dodie waited for Art and Betty and the motorhome and the kids so they were a little delayed. Set up and went for dinner at the restaurant.

This was the Idaho State Rally

The next morning I went for a ride by myself up to Kendrick Idaho to get a picture of Bob's garage that I had missed last year. The ride along the Clearwater River was gorgeous. There was a little road construction but that just gave everyone and opportunity to stop and enjoy the beautify scenery.

 

 

There were lots of people fishing up and down the river and on the ride to Kendrick everyone was picking blackberries.

Then on to Bob's Garage and I had brunch at Archie's Place. Very  good.

 

 

Back at the campsite I gave the kids a ride in the sidecar. What sweeties.

 

And of course the intrepid Tony Neilsen from Grand Forks who has given up his Goldwing and graduated to a BMW R1200GS.

The next day I headed north taking my time to Nakusp. As I passed through Harrison, Idaho ( Home of One Shot Charlie's) I spied the Lakeside Lodge with a moose on the sign. It was early but I was kind of tired so I went in and enquired about the price and it was 109.00 for the night. Not bad but I thought I should just travel on but the lady said "How about 75.00 and no tax." Well that iced the cake and I really feel I was meant to be there .

 

 

Just before Harrison I stopped in this quaint little town for a few minutes.

Bovill

I also stopped at St. Maries for lunch

 

 Lakeview Lodge. My beautiful room. and Lake Couer d'Alene from my deck and the beautiful sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That evening just before this sunset I took a ride down to the wetlands to see if I could see any moose. All I was able to see was a swan, an osprey and a great blue heron.

But I did take these lovely photos of the Couer d'Alene River.

 

 

I had dinner at The Landing right next door to ONe Shot Charlies and this was my view from the patio table.

 

And I will finish this episode with a picture of the Baptist church in Harrison.

Tomorrow I will reluctantly leave this beautiful place and head for Nakusp. Bur first a beautiful sleep in this place. I woke at precisely 11:58 and went out on my deck to view the Persius meteorite shower and was delighted to see 6 ( falling stars) There was a storm to the north with lightening and a fog bank to the south but I had my perfect viewing window. Tell me that was not meant to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republic Washington and BMW Rally

Well once again I found myself in Republic and what a load of fun I had. It seems everyone went to Republic from Salem. Well not everyone but a good group of people I knew. I had been here before but found I had a lot more fun this time and the weather really cooperated. I got there Wednesday so that was pretty much a free day getting set up and saying hello to those I knew, Bruce, Turk, Ron Clark and new friends Bill Tonkin and Tom from Mexico. We walked up to the little café/service station on top of the hill and had dinner. Turk said it was 2 miles but closer to 1/4 mile only. I think he was prone to exaggeration.

Bruce

Turk and Joe

Yes Joe surprised us on Friday night and joined us all at the rally.

This is Tom from Mexico City

Ron Clark from PEI

I really missed my calling, while I was at this rally I volunteered to man the beer booth I worked 2 days from 2-10 and sold a lot of beer and told a lot of jokes. What fun. Brought to mind the joke Get off the table Mabel the monies for beer.

I got my usual ride on the merry go round on my favorite horse Rose.

 

 

 

This is such a beautiful reconditioned merry go round and every year I have been able to take a ride.

The second morning Thursday I went for a ride by myself and went to Tiffany's Resort on Curlew Lake just north of Republic. Dick and Gerry's niece and nephew own the resort. I had a little difficulty finding it but it is a beautiful place. Sometimes I wish I could take pictures and often miss the opportunity. While looking for the resort I went to the town of Curlew and had to cross an old wooden bridge with cross bars and then planks on either side. Fun. And then when I got back to Republic just inside the town there was a deer with velvet antlers and he was going to the old church. Guess he was going to pray there were no hunters around. Anyway here is the resort and Curlew Lake. Very pretty.

 

 

 

 

Back at the rally we had the Top Notes play. Unfortunately they did not have much of an audience as most people went to bed early anticipating a long ride home the next day.

My beer selling partner Rick.

Where the band was set up

 

Phil Funnell and his rat bike from Salem rally. He sleeps in the pod.

Joe's tent in front, mine and Tom's behind.

My friend Phyllis and I. She took most mature female to ride her bike to the rally and we were laughing about her at 61 being older than me......

Me emerging from my tent on Sunday morning.

Then Joe and I traveled together to Colville Washington and had breakfast at the Acorn Saloon and then went our separate ways. As it was after a stop for hamburger and fries at Moyie it was still 9:45 when I arrived home. My timing was good though because I hit highway 22 after the hail storm. The hills were white and it was very cold.

 

 

In the Moyie hotel.

Home once again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cashmere, Rocky Reach Dam

So I finally got away from Salem after another great breakfast at Dick and Gerry's.
Headed north on back roads 26 and 35 and angled up to the Columbia at Hood River. I did not want to cross on the steel deck bridge so continued along the Columbia River Gorge to Biggs where I crossed. Then searching for a new route and with plenty of time I stayed on 97 to Tonasket. Then on 20 to Republic. But I am getting ahead of myself. Just north of Yakima in Selah Washington I went to the North Country Inn where I had stayed once before. It is a lovely motel and has a pool and was very welcoming on a hot day.

Mt Hood

Hood River Dam

 

 

I stopped for lunch at this BBQ place in Cashmere Washington. I tried to figure out where I had heard that name recently and realized it is where the UMCI International Rally will be held next year. It is a really pretty spot.

 

Thought this sign inside was kind of special.

After lunch I proceeded north on Highway 97 Up passed several lakes. Chelan for one and happened upon Rocky Reach Dam. It is on the Columbia so I was surprised because I thought I had left the Columbia behind.

This is a great stop as there is a museum in the middle of the dam and a fabulous fish ladder where one can go down and view the fish heading up stream. It has beautiful grounds and really is a must see and it's FREE.

Looking west at the bluffs across the road from the dam.

Fish ladder. Looked like a great waterslide on this hot day.

On the grounds

Kirby Billingsley

Down by the fish viewing

Inside the museum in the dam. This brought back memories of the cougar I had seen to the south last year across the river in the Yakima Canyon.

Lots of indigenous people stuff and settlers and miners. Very interesting and did I  mention FREE.

 

Inside the dam itself.

This is the pipe which shoots the young fry downstream.

And so ends this episode. Next one Republic.