Maybe my legs are getting stronger or we’re just making easier route plans towards the end of our trip. Although the map says 45 miles, in an attempt to avoid ever even seeing Highway 95 (which was impossible), we did a lot of meandering through the countryside today. I suspect our route was about 50 miles. This was generally pleasant but we finally ran into some dogs and I almost got to use my bear spray.
Leaving the Powell’s home was difficult on lots of levels. They had both already returned to Spokane and work. We seriously contemplated being squatters in their home until they returned in the future. In the end we opted for continuing the journey and drove down bottle Bay Road one last time next to the incredibly beautiful Pend Oreille Lake.
Thankfully our first time on Highway 95 was a separate pedestrian and bike bridge leading into Sandpoint. Tim had taken us into Sandpoint the day before to enjoy some burritos and ice cream. It’s a pleasant little town with a nice swim Beach and Schweitzer ski area just a few miles away.
Although we saw a few Canadian flags flying it appeared that Canada no longer existed.
A bridge parallel to ours carries the train across the lake. I thought some of the grandkids might enjoy what we saw how’s the train raced us to Sandpoint
Having been introduced to Joel’s burritos the day before by Tim, we decided to grab a couple for the road. I seriously doubt Joel could find Mexico on a map. And the only thing Mexican about his food is that it’s wrapped up in a tortilla. However, Joel really knows what to wrap up in those tortillas. The steak fajitas the day before were incredible. Later, as we enjoyed a Mexican Benedict burrito for lunch, we were glad we’d stopped. By the way, no one named Benedict ever lived in Mexico.
The countryside surrounding Highway 95 both east and west side is quite beautiful. There are a lot of lovely Farms. We enjoyed the quiet and lack of cars. We did not enjoy the dogs but thankfully we were able to outrun the few that chased us.
After about 35 miles we decided to stop and eat one of the burritos. We found a convenience store in the town of Naples and grabbed some drinks. Once again I was the only one in the store with a mask. Everyone was friendly and no one called 911 when I walked up to the counter. Have you ever heard of the town of Naples, Idaho? Every time I meet somebody from Idaho they are from some town I’ve never heard of before. When you go through these little towns, like Naples, you realize why you’ve never heard of them.
We enjoyed the burrito and the cold drinks next to a river about 10 Mi out of Bonners Ferry.
In the 1860s you had to pay Bonner $0.50 gold or silver to cross the Kootenai River on his Ferry. A pack animal was a dollar fifty so I can only assume that’s what our bikes would have cost. However, there is a bridge now across the river just after passing the small town of Bonners Ferry.
If you know geography, which I should having studied it in college, you know that rivers are usually at the bottom of a valley. So, why I chose a hotel 2 miles north of the river and uphill the entire way, I’m not sure. Atleast it is a really nice one called the Log inn. After settling in, once again we enjoyed a burrito and appreciated Joel.
Grumpy Grandpa's Great Bicycling Adventures 