"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars." ~ Author Unknown

Saturday, June 16, 2012 (Day 10)
Lochsa Lodge, Powell, ID
Miles:  69  MPH:  11  Max:  21  Total:  579

We made it!!

Woke up to a chilly 42 degrees.  Anxious to get started with the day's climb, I took off in front of Jack.  Again today's directions had only 1 turn, "Turn East on Rt 12 and pedal hard for 66 miles.  I turned the wrong way!! Opps!   I'm so happy Jack is navigating!

Rugged mountain peaks covered with stands of fir, pine, and popular trees towered above us as we road along the thundering white water rapids of the Clearwater River.  The climb was gradual and not nearly as hard as we had feared.

Dozens of waterfalls pooled down the mountain side and splashed nearby the road.  Just Breathtaking!

We passed one west bound cyclist and dozens of friendly motor cyclists -- they are like kindred cousins!  Often the motor cyclists would pull next to us and chat.  One guy was so excited to share some photos he just took.  He stopped to photograph one of the nearby falls and had climbed down onto the rocks for a better view.  There he saw a bear den and several bones nearby!!  I wouldn't let Jack take a picture instead pedaled like crazy, scared Momma Bear might be near-by!

Lunch was PB&J roadside as we didn't pass a single anything or any place the entire day!  As the day wore on, the mountain peaks seemed to shrink -- we were gaining on them!  Snow covered a few peaks.  Our destination the Locha Lodge - a beautiful resort in the middle of the National Forest.  There we enjoyed an awesome early dinner before heading to the Powell Ranger Station and campground in the National Forest -- very beautiful!

We finish the climb to Lolo Pass tomorrow!  66 miles down, 13 to go!

Wow!  Biking over the Rockies -- Life is Good -- real Good!

Had to use a pay phone to call home!  Still no cell service!!

Camping in the beautiful National Forest

Homesick but so so happy that I get to do this!