Unity to Vale, to Nampa, to Grand View, to Bliss

Unity to Vale was another scorcher, with three passes, but this time we made the almost 65 miles on our own.  Met a young couple who were biking the opposite direction, to celebrate their graduation from the University of Vermont.  They had been on the road for eight weeks, and  were planning on ending their ride at Florence, Oregon on Sunday.

Vale to Nampa, also a scorcher, was uneventful, thankfully!  Between Caldwell and Nampa we were on an undivided four lane (Business 84) with no alternative route.   Even though we use the shoulder whenever possible, there were signs depicting bicyclist stating “share the roadway, but sometimes people yelled at us to use the sidewalk.  Doing so can be much more dangerous than using the roadway.   So far, though, most drivers are courteous and careful.  But only in Idaho have we experienced some “bicyclist haters.”  J 

The ride from Nampa to Grand View began at 6:00 in the morning (before sunrise), hoping to beat the heat and the wind.  We did well on the heat, but not on the wind.  It was blowing in our faces at about 10 mph when we started and by 11:00, had kicked up to 20, gusting to 25.  We stopped at Murphy (halfway point), hoping to wait it out.  By 3:00 it was still blowing hard, although it had died down some, so once again, we hitched a ride.   This time with Clyde, from Bruneau.  A very knowledgeable sportsman (and grandfather) he regaled us with a story of his most recent hunt.  He had bagged a bighorn sheep (and had the head in a bag in the pickup).  Apparently, the hunter is required to present the animal’s head to the state wildlife officials who take measurements and other data from the animal and the hunter.

Grand View to Bliss presented us with a very delightful surprise.   As Katherine noted, Diane’s sister, Judy, her husband Gene, and Gene’s brother, Kent, were on a Harley ride from Des Moines, Iowa, out to Glacier Park, in Montana, south through Idaho and Utah, then looping back to Des Moines via a route unknown to us and maybe to them.  They decided to connect with us and surprise us with a quick visit.  Very successful and fun.  Rob and I had stopped at the local John Deeere dealer, to get information and confirm whether our planned route was the best choice.  (it was.)  Rob was outside and Diane was talking with the staff when she  felt someone pinching her butt.  She assumed it was Rob, so ignored the pinching, but when it continued, she turned around and there stood a woman in leathers and a motor cycle helmet.  Diane was stunned, and said “do I know you?”  The woman did not speak, but began to grin widely.  Diane then recognized that grin and screamed, “Judy!!!!’  What a wonderful surprise.  Unfortunately, our time together ended too soon, as they needed to hit the road, as did we.   Even though the rest  of day was hard biking, Diane (always the weaker one in this effort) was energized by the visit with her beloved sister Judy.

Tomorrow, on to Heywood, the first part of which will be via I-84. Again, we’ll leave before daybreak, because we have about 80 miles to go.  So, until the next post!!