- November 4, 2010
- 9 photos


I ride alongside river mist made molten by winter’s morning sun past sites once famous, the destination for thousands, now almost forgotten.
- #2010
- #Boise River
- #Solo
- #Bicycle
I ride alongside river mist made molten by winter’s morning sun past sites once famous, the destination for thousands, now almost forgotten.
Another day of work, another day to ride. I stop in the place I often do along the river bank where it’s just me, leaves and water, and memories of summer revelers lining up to swing from a frayed rope into the river.
Ryan puts out a late season invitation for a night along the beautiful Louie Lake. About five of us answer the call to ride a couple hours north and climb the rocky trail to the lake’s edge where we sit around a fire and tell stories of old rides. After a wet and windy night we ride autumn-colored backroads by Yellow Pine to home.
Tired of being cold and shot at, we spend a lazy morning along the Clearwater fishing and relaxing before heading homeward. I spend most of the next day brokedown atop Whitebird grade.
We ride through snow and rain after trying to explore some single track in the Great Burn. Casey decides to leave for home but the rest of us continue to lightning, more snow and bullets going off in our fire.
From Camp Martin we hit some highlights along the motorway before dropping down to Lochsa Lodge for food and gas. After an ice cream disappointment, we ride back over the ridge to Cayuse Creek where we set up camp. Late that night we get a strange visitor.
My brothers and I — all four of us this time — head out from Moscow, Idaho, for four nights along the trails Lewis and Clark followed about the same time of year in 1805. The GPS is tricky but we make it safely to historic Camp Martin.
We ride east together, Hunter and I, across remnants of the Oregon Trail for a little visit to Bonneville Point, the historic site from which Boise was named. Hunter, though, is more interested in thorns and grasshoppers than history.
We had been through the heat and it was time to get high as Jessica and I follow the Salmon River to gaze upon the mighty China Wall.
Jessica and I thread our way on the motorcycle along dirt roads by a buzz of wildfire activity on our way to find the next night’s lodging in view of the Sawtooth Mountains.
We would see our highest recorded temperature and altitude on the motorcycle during our three days around the Stanley area. When plans to be at the Stanley Stomp Rally didn’t pan out, I thought the Stanley area would still be a nice August destination.
Our second and final night at the R.V. park in Enterprise Oregon is equal parts rain and good company.
Several rides were planned for Saturday depending on interest and riding style. Jessica and I had made no plans. Finding ourselves stumbling around with coffee cups early in the morning, we fell in with the “Steep and Rocky” crew who were trying to get an early start at a technical route. We were assured we’d probably be fine two-up. Perfect.
Jessica and I set up house along with fifty other motorcyclers at the R.V. park outside of Enterprise, Oregon.
Jessica and I talked a few months earlier about joining Pacific Northwest adventure riders in Enterprise, Oregon near Hells Canyon for the fourth annual weekend of riding and camaraderie organized by Sherry, ADVrider “Ladybug.” But somehow the plan didn’t make its way onto our ride calendar. When we realized it was the next week, we scrambled to arrange time off from work and babysitting for our two-year-old. We weren’t positive we’d be able to go until nearly the day of departure. Planning the adventure was itself an adventure!
Laura and I hasten but fail to beat a storm as we head homeward, stopping twice for shelter, making memories sure to last a lifetime.
While the Tuscarora art students are busy with projects, I take a day to explore the expanse of mountains I saw from the ridge above town.
At first with Laura and then on my own I explore the hills immediately above Tuscarora. Brown and featureless from a distance, I find up close they’re decorated with an impressive variety of colorful flora.
We arrive early in Tuscarora, Laura and I, and bide our time exploring the small town and its environs. When the other students arrive, I document some of their projects and look more closely at items on display at the pottery school.
Laura and I ride together on the GS from home south into Nevada on our way to tiny Tuscarora for a high school trip. We stop to sleep at Wild Horse Crossing campground before continuing through mountains and across desert to our destination.
Jessica and I ride together on the GS to Jump Creek Falls then overland to Leslie Gulch where we explore fantastic rock formations and camp for the night. We return by way of Succor Creek.
I ride the GS1200 north from sweltering Boise to Moscow to visit family and my hometown Troy Days. Later, my brothers and I ride some singletrack on Moscow Mountain before celebrating my nephew’s seventh birthday.
Sam leads three of us on a day-ride around the Owhyee Uplands Back Country Byway. We encounter a little weather at the highest altitudes while Toni and Heath on their smaller bikes pursue a more exploratory route. They show up later muddy and disheveled.
Centuries of history, petroglyphs and gold mines, are on the menu for the first ride to Silver City. I’m so excited.
I meet again with some thirty fine members of the Idaho Adventure Motorcycle Club for breakfast at Rockies Diner before being led by Sam by Bonneville Point past Mayfield and Skull Rock for lunch in Pine, Idaho. From there we split up to return by different routes.