July 11, Stage 5

July 11, another recovery day--Spokane to Sand Point in northern Idaho. 86 miles, 2700 feet of climbing. After spending some time getting out of Spokane, going by their beautiful court house, then back onto Route 2, which had brought us to Spokane yesterday. This was a biker's dream--15 mph wind out of the southwest and we were heading northeast! We had a nice shoulder and quite a bit of traffic. Starting to see some logging trucks. After about 50 miles, we turned off onto an older road parallel to Rt. 2. Very little traffic. Roller hills kind of like southern Iowa, but not as steep. Tree lined with tall pine, fir. Saw two Ospreys with nests atop telephone poles. Albeni Falls Dam, Pend Orielle Lake, Pend Lake. Got in by 2:30 and in the middle of the pack. Rode with two guys who do this each year--both 74 years old, so I do not have any bragging rights. Hot again, but with a tailwind, it does not matter. I am getting too much sun on my face, and lower lip is drying out and will likely split, but hey, this is fun! No need for Vitamin D supplement. Probable visit to the dermatologist along with the dentist. Marsha asked about meals (she has always fed me well). We have oatmeal for breakfast, along with fruit, OJ, coffee for those who prefer stimulants, bagels, peanut butter, jelly, usual stuff. Pactour cooks a meal along the route for lunch--today chicken fajitas and rice. Delicious. Dinner at local restaurants--on our own. Tomorrow Sand Point to Thompson Falls, Montana, looking out for wild and crazy folks. Meth is supposed to be popular up here. 86 miles. Cross Idaho at its narrowest, but I am counting it as a state I have crossed by bike. Ben has provided appropriate musical lyrics--"Idaho, Oh Idaho" today, and my 2.5 year old grandson Gabriel thinks I may need some EPO--he may be right.