May 23, Day 17, Powell-66 miles

Today's ride called for about 66 miles of gradual incline as a part of my plan to draw close to Lolo Pass, a 3,000 foot climb that summits on the Idaho/Montana border. My route would take me along the mighty Lochsa River the entire way. The Lochsa is a well known White water recreation river and as I sat in the Three Rivers Lodge along this river the night before I watched video on the restaurant TV showing people in a variety of different floating vessels attempting to navigate this one special area of the river. The video showed crowds all set up along the river bank in a big annual Memorial Day party watching rafters crash in any variety of ways. The restaurant filled up that night with this year's river thrill seekers, some from as far away as Arizona and Iowa.

I got an early breakfast at the cafe and the owner, an old spindly cuss of a man warned me that the wolves have been coming down near the road looking for food and they have chased cyclists on occasion. He advised me that bears and Mountain Lions would most likely clean up what the Wolves didn't finish. Funny man......Funny tip.

As I was walking out of the cafe another biker rider pulled up. His bike was rigged for touring and we talked for a few minutes. His name was Tom, a 37 year old who recently quit his job, cashed out his 401K and decided to cross the country on a bike. He left Astoria Oregon on May 3, four days prior to my departure date and we are both heading to the same destination in Virginia. He is the first Trans America rider I have seen so far.

The road to Powell, my destination for the day meandered in perfect symphony with the curves and bends of the Lochsa, which was flowing the opposite direction. This river was simply awesome. I stopped several times during the ride and sat in the grass and just watched it. My trip has taken me along many rivers and streams thus far and the Lochsa is hands down the most powerful and has shown the most character.

I had about 2,000 feet of elevation gain spread across my ride today and it was not too bad but I had to put in some work to get there. The wind was at my back for once and that made it a lot easier. I secured a small cabin in the only place to stay for 66 miles. Tom showed up three hours later exhausted. He told me he was going to get to Missoula the next day and then sleep for two days. I got the feeling I won't be seeing anymore of him.

Pictures will return soon. I promise!

Tomorrow I climb Lolo Pass and enter Montana. I need some bike supplies and a camera so it may be necessary to go into Missoula myself, a 26 mile round trip spur off of the trip route. Forecast called for rain and thunder storms.