Day 13--Burley, ID to Blackfoot, ID

Day 13—July 01, 2006—Burley, ID to Blackfoot, ID—111 miles—1969’ climb

Blackfoot, our destination today, is the largest potato producing community in the world, providing a third of the nation's potatoes. On the way into town we saw numerous potato fields and potato barns — barns buried to their sod roofs that work as cold cellars. The town name came from a bad translation of “Siksika” which means "Black moccasin" a term probably derived from the discoloration of moccasins with ashes. It was used as both the name of a single tribe (the Blackfoot), and for the confederacy to which they belonged. They called themselves Ni-kso-ki-wa.

Because of the breezes and low humidity, the weather today was sunny and pleasant, even though the temps climbed to the low 90s.  It was windy today but the wind shifted all day as did the road, so riders had a variety of conditions. We began today’s route in vast, fertile fields of sugar beets and potatoes but after about 10 miles, the terrain changed to open range grazing land (though I don’t know how the cattle found anything to graze upon) through a very desolate part of Idaho. The road to the first SAG was rough chip-and-seal, and in places where we had a vista, it seemed to ribbon out endlessly across the sage-dotted terrain. Because it was open range, riders crossed eight cattle guards — the rails they put across the road to keep the cattle within a section of range (see photo above). Cattle crossed our route in several places today or grazed beside the road.

Rider about to cross one of the many
cattle guards on today's route

After the first SAG stop, the road, which was now freshly tarred chip-and-seal, rolled to I-86. Though it meant several miles of gentle climbing, riders were very happy to see I-86 because its shoulder was smooth concrete. Riders rolled 8 miles on I-86, exiting at American Falls. Six miles after exiting, they came to SS#2, which Tom had set up at mile 60, American Falls Dam Park. Here they enjoyed chips and salsa before beginning the second half of the route.

The second half of the route was pretty flat and rolled again past vast potato farms and fields. Christine set up the last SS at mile 89 in the shade of a small apple tree. Riders stopped and enjoyed cooling watermelon. And then riders booked it the last miles to Blackfoot so that they could watch the World Cup and also learn what had transpired in the Tour de France.

As in years past, we eat picnic style outside and our dinner this evening was catered by Gene Parrish and his family. They do a fantastic job. BBQ chicken, veggie. and regular lasagna, scalloped potatoes, green beans, huge pots of coffee and cold drinks, and desserts to die for, including Dutch ovens of apple and cherry-chocolate cobbler, which riders can top with ice cream. The perfect meal after a long day (see photo above).

OVERHEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY:

   * “I was irrigated . . . and it felt good!”

   * “Sshake rrattle, and rroll!”  

   * “Did you see the potato roadkill outside of Rockford? So mashed you couldn’t tell a red russet from a white russet.”

   * “There are an awful lot of spud farms on this route.”

SHOW & TELL: Julie & Jeff saw white pelicans either floating in the river or in flocks flying high into the thermals . . . so did several others. All remarked on the round mud nests of the cliff swallows under the I-86 underpass before SS#1. Chris found three adorable kittens on the roof of a shed behind SS#1.