May 19, 2005
Old Friends - New Friends
Because the pace of this trip has hastened, I must combine two day's journals into one. How else can I catch up? I'm either on the bike, looking at the splendor of this country, or trying to entertain Don or Jake...both, of which, wish I would leave them alone and NEVER tell another shaggier dog story. So be it. But I will not guarantee I can keep my word on this issue.
We arose to cloudy skies in Battle Mountain and prepared to depart for Boise, Idaho. It is interesting to note that the night before we had planned to have no dinner. We had a large, late lunch and agreed to forego dinner. But our other guests at the motel were construction workers living there during the week with visits home on weekends. And they cooked their dinners on charcoal hibachis or short legged grills in the narrow, curbed section between motel and parking lot. Try as we did, we couldn't avoid the wafting odors of steaks, chicken, and BBQ sauce and soon ordered a pizza delivered. So much for commitment. We are truly wusses.
We went east on IH 80 to Elko, Nevada, in the empty expanse of northern Nevada. Look at your maps and you will understand what I say. It is an open and trackless expanse of beauty. And we turned north on Nevada 225 for one of the most spectacular rides of the trip. Route 225 connect Elko and Mountain Home, Idaho, and runs through some of the most pristine territory I have seen. Rolling hills and mountains in the distance punctuate the scenery with regularity. The pavement is some of the best I have ridden on this 7,700 mile trip and the ride was glorious in spite of the threat of rain.
Along the way we came upon a man and a woman on horseback herding cattle. They were on horses and not too far away from the 1890's image of cattlemen/woman (I indeed felt I should be politically correct just this time...remember Calamity Jane) and they cautioned us to be mindful of the cattle running on and along the side of the road as they drove them somewhere in this desolate wilderness. It was as though we were back in years with the cowboys who worked this land so long ago.
The rain threat deepened as we climbed the banks of the Humboldt River toward the reservoir of the same name. And as we entered the canyon on the other side of the divide, promised to give us our first dosing of heavenly blessings. But that was to wait. We entered the canyon of the Owyhee River and for more than 25 miles did twistees and turnees of the 10-15 mile variety that makes a biker slobber with satisfaction. At one point Jake came up to me on foot when we stopped for a photographic opportunity and nearly knocked me off my bike with his enthusiasm. It was truly spectacular with its sheer magnitude and critical angle and challenging turns and cramped vistas. Jake claims it is the best 25 miles he has ever ridden.
We exited this canyon onto a plateau and could see the ever growing threat of rain on the horizon. In fact, it was not a threat anymore. It was there in all its wet splendor. We were about to get our first dousing! Thus, we stopped and finished dressing for rain. Don said he wasn't happy for him but he was secretly happy as I knew he wanted to see how we handled rain while he was in the comfort of the truck. I told him we wore the rain gear as insurance...and not as a sign of defeat. What bother Don to this day is that the clouds parted as though Jake and I were Moses and Jacob and we parted the waters. Don was disappointed. We finally rolled into Boise dry and happy and filled with experience.
Our GPS devices were on the mark and took us directly to Earnie and Leslie Callendar's beautiful home in the outskirts of Boise where we shared more stories and lies and found out how a successful ex thunderbird spends his time (and his wife's time as well) in retirement. Earnie had to manage a homeowners issue as president so we ate early, sent him off while we relaxed, then shared more unbelievable storie3s of his home building activities in Boise.
Earnie and Leslie are unbelievably wonderful people whose sole aim seems to be to share with and enjoy those who visit them. Earnie worked with me many years ago and kept me out of the brig many times through heroic effort. A wonderful success story in his own right, Earnie has done wonders and continues to amaze me with his endless energy despite physical setback and considerable odds. We had steaks with all the trimmings and plenty of stories until none of us could remain afoot. I slept somewhere and awoke in the same place, I think. Earnie and Leslie then cooked our first homemade breakfast in many days...to our order, watched us once again put on our rain gear for departure and bid us farewell. I was sad leaving. Earnie has always meant so much to me. It was an honor seeing him and difficult to leave. But the road is not forgiving and doesn't allow for sentiment. We bid farewell with a salute. He has earned every salute I have offered.
So we drive into the rain that had been dropping on Boise all night, dressed in cumbersome rain gear, and as soon as we hit the main road, the skies cleared. Don was beside himself. As we worked our way toward Salt Lake City, the clouds once again parted and let the sunshine flow onto us poor souls in the elements as Don cussed under his breath that we didn't deserve so much luck. At one gas stop he got out of his air-conditioned comfort and asked us "Do you feel lucky?" We said yes and we received nary more than two drops apiece. Moses likes us!
From Boise we head for Salt Lake City to visit with a gracious and wonderful person who shared her home with us vagrants on our journey. Unexpectedly, and with caution, I accepted an invitation to spend a night in a victorian home in salt lake city from a friend of a friend of Jake. I am generally shy but I agreed to the offer. We rolled into Salt Lake City, found her home on the GPS, entered the apartment she had set aside for us, and were awed. Her name is Judith and she is one of the most generous and sharing friends I have met. What a wonderful population this country has produced, You talk about the greatest generation...no diminishing the vets (and I am one) but there are many other great generation people out there who have never served in the military. I could talk miles about the freeloaders looking for accolades without effort. Judith is one who one who has earned them all and never even thinks about having earned them.
We had a wonderful dinner with her, her boss, Art and his wife, daughters, friends, and such. I was overwhelmed. Jake took over the steak cooking, Don took over the beer, I took over the supervision. We had it all figured out. Art owns a communications operations that serves western Utah and eastern Nevada. He has a multitude of greatly interesting stories to tell and I couldn't get enough. Check out his web site at Beehive in Utah. I am not able to call on his card for address. You can find it. Judith's family and friends were very generous to us all and we shared copious amounts of wine and conversation during the evening. In one event I even told a lie. I can't remember which one but it was good. Too bad it doesn't meet the Mark Twain seal of approval that says any lier needs...must...have a good memory. So I tired and became weary. I had to crash. So I did.
Such is life on the road.
Here's some pictures-as always, never enough and I'm sure I left some out...also some need edits but deal with it...It's late, I'll fix them later. g (Full Album HERE and HERE also):
