Day 8--Ontario, OR to Boise, ID

Day 8—June 26, 2006—Ontario, OR to Boise, ID—62 miles—1438’ climb

WOOHOO! WE’RE IN STATE NO. 2, BEAUTIFUL IDAHO THE STATE WHERE SPUDS GROW AND CATTLE TOO, AND THE SNAKE RIVER HISSES THROUGH CANYONS.

The first part of today’s route wends east on little trafficked farm-to-market roads bordered by small farms and occasional houses. The road rolled considerably and looked at times like a piece of ribbon candy. The first 15 miles contained 7 turns, so riders were kept alert checking their computers. Nonetheless a few riders missed a turn and got in some bonus miles. One pair called me on the van phone. “Help! We’re lost.” While working their way back to the route, they saw a line of red, white, & blue riders across the fields one road over. Just like goslings behind their mother, they happily lined up behind these riders.

Since it was a short day, we set up only one SAG Stop midway between Ontario and Boise. It was supposed to be in a large Shell station/CS. When I got there, however, I could find no place to park the van, so set up in the church parking lot across the street. This worked out very well as riders did not need to cross to the left side of the road. When I got to the SS, Deanna Livsey (rode the inaugural AAN in 2001) and her friend, Dana, were waiting with two big bags of cookies that Deanna had made and toted to the SS. The two had ridden their bikes out from Boise. They waited until fellow inaugural riders Sara and Christine (see photo below) arrived, and then gathered a group and rode back to Boise with them, showing them a slightly different route. Deanna had met us last year, too, having recently moved from the Chicago area to Boise. Thank you Deanna!

As riders neared Boise, the road became more urban, but continued to be quiet as the route veered off into a residential area and then eventually entered Hyde Park, an esoteric narrow spot on the road, and a favorite place for riders to stop for lunch before continuing to the hotel, about 2 miles away. Many riders had a sandwich or pizza at Lucky 13 right across from Richards, our usual lunch spot, which was closed.

Christine with veteran riders riders Sarah and Christine
at lunch in a trendy section of Boise

Andy conducted R-Rap at 4, and I talked about what to see and do in Boise. After our day in the merciless heat yesterday, I bought a canopy at Walmart last night. At Route-R, I asked for $1 or $2 canopy donations (strictly volunteer) and received enough to meet the cost of the $88 canopy. Thank you riders! I know that you’ll think your donation was one of the best investments you’ve ever made as we cross wide open, sun-saturated Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Also at R-Rap, we said our final good-byes to riders Tracey Bail, Scotty Bolf, and Alan Williams whose northwestern leg ended in Boise. We will miss them.

Tomorrow should be a fun day for both staff and riders. We staff get to welcome three new riders, Leslie Margolin’s friend Kathy Griest, Mike Warmbier’s brother, Fred, and Jon Gregg’s nephew, Jason; and riders get to explore Boise and enjoy a little R & R.

OVERHEARD ON THE ROAD TODAY:

• “This was a nice ride today. Thank you!” 
• “I liked the little farm-to-market roads.” 
• “I loved those rollers. They were spaced perfectly.” 
• “Watermelon! Ummmm Yumm!” 
• “Nice flowers.” 
• “I got in some bonus miles today. I hear that a couple members of the staff did some route research also.”