Bishop Bike Adventure Day 11 July 11, 2010

This morning we attended Grace Reformed Church in Clarkston, thanks to a late night referral from a Walmart employee named Mike. We arrived a bit late after breakfast and listened to a layman, a police officer, provide the message. After the service ended, we were surrounded by most friendly folks, who invited us to dinner as well as the coffee time post-service. Since we needed to check out of the hotel, we declined.

We headed out intending a relaxing recovery ride after yesterday’s long haul. Our bodies were tired and the heat was again intense. Since we got a late start, we moved slowly into Idaho and rested before firming up our itinerary. Services were sparse. When we ate supper at Donald’s in Lapwai, the temperature read 100 degrees at 5:21. We got some conflicting advice from some locals. We decided to bike toward a campground at the end of a very long climb. This proved to be more than daylight would allow. The climb was in excess of 2,000 feet, and we witnessed an incredible sunset in the western sky at high altitude--just not high enough to reach camping services.
We made it to 3,600 feet, but the campground is around 4,000. So here we lay, at midnight in Big Agnes, our cool tent. Since we are still learning the camping routine, our setup took about 90 minutes. But as we sit and look into the star-filled sky, we can only be amazed at God’s creation. It is beautiful out here. The temperature is perfect, we are hunkered down for the night, and life is good. We have a private, secluded perch that protects us from man and beast. We sign off now, as we need to work on our constellations! Wow!