Day 6
Idaho 2019

 

 

Yep you guessed it-----Day 6. Leaving Elk City, Idaho.
I had the guys do this to help me keep pictures organized---otherwise you have a mess of pictures
that you have no idea where they were taken or when. Same with the videos.

 

 

 

We stayed in the only motel in town.
This may not look like much, but it is very nice inside---clean and well maintained. You'd be
surprised---and it was reasonable. Years ago when we stayed here those stairs on the side
seem to be ready to just fall off the building---but all is well now.

 

 

 

 

 

You want political correct ??? Don't come to Elk City--none of that crap here.
Cops don't come to town unless there's lot's of bloodshed. I love this town.
People here take care of things them selves--------nice people. Very few winter here.
The little store in town has everything you might need. None of the crap you don't need.
Food, supplies, guns and bullets but no fancy smancy doo dads.
The waitress at the cafe in town had a t-shirt that said..............
"Don't piss me off----I'm running out of room for the dead bodies"
Try that at McDonalds or Hardees.
She was hilarious and food was great.

 

 

 

 

There's a motorcycle campground right in town next to the store.
This is out front.

 

 

 

 

 

Mason----got this picture before he knew what was happening.
16 years old and all of us grew to really like Mason.
He had a super great upbringing---riding dirt bikes with his dad.
Never heard a bad word out of his mouth the whole ride------you don't see that anymore.
I told his dad that he had a good son---------he knew that.
I also told him he was a good dad. He didn't spoil him and let him work his way out of situations
on his own. We were proud to ride with them both and I couldn't believe how good a rider he was.
It was a pleasure to be around them and the love between them was oh so apparant.

 

 

 

 

The only gas in Elk City--they have food here too.

 

 

 

 

We head North out of Elk City---we had been riding in heavy fog.
And all of a sudden we were above the clouds------Elk City is down below that cloud.
It was oh so beautiful up here.

 

 

 

 

There are at least 3 ways to get to Lowell, Idaho from Elk City over 3 mountain passes.
I love the way we had went before but the road was washed out completely and may not be fixed.
We found a different way and it was great too.
It was on our original way I had a homtown friend of mine riding with me and Dingweeds
one year declare------------"to Hell With Colorado".

 

 

 

 

 

We rode over the Middle Fork of the Clearwater river near Lowell.
I said it before----if you've seen the movie "The River Runs Thru It".
That is what it's like up here.

 

 

 

 

 

We head up the mountain but didn't get far.
No road closure sign or any warning a mud slide too out the road.
Word was this was so bad it may never get fixed. It's on the Idaho BDR.

 

 

 

All the water came down that

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn't ride thru it---but later on the return 3 of us did.

 

 

 

 

 

Tried to find another way----but it was the third try before we found a way thru.
The LoLo motorway is up this road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Dad bridge.
Dingweeds use to live up here and I think he is remembering the years his family use to hunt, fish and boat on these waters.
This is Dworshak Resorvoir

 

 

 

 

 

Who is that masked man ?????

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure who found this campspot---but it was very obscure to find.
A tiny path beside the road led you back to it.

 

 

 

 

 

Hairlip Dog broke out this huge cigar---some guy had gave him several on this trip.
No mosquitos that nite.

 

 

 

 

I walk in the woods to pee and when I come back------POOF-------Paul had a fire going.
What was this guy using ?????
Thanks again Paul.
Mason sticks to Paul like glue and it was great to see father and son enjoying an awesome trip like this.
Mason must have spent some time with his dad camping as he helped get things going to.
I tried to gather firewood too but I'm a lousy fire starter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coke and "Additive"
That and a good cigar kept Hairlip Dog happy at camp !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I took a bath in the river----which also served as a cooler for the cokes---look closely.

 

 

 

 

Paul found this pooper in the woods-------there were 2 of them--one fancier than the other as it had a lid.
No shovel needed at this camp.

A Short Video of Today's Ride

 

 

 

 

 

A rough map of our ride today.

 

 

 

 

Day 7

 

 

 

Dingweeds had the coffee going before anybody got out of bed.......................
Well, except for Paul who had a fire going (Poof) even before that.
I'm pretty sure we had oatmeal that morning.......as looking at the track log there
was nothing around to get anything.
We were holding out for something much grander for lunch.

 

 

 

 

So North we went on the Idaho BDR-----I think ??
Me and Hairlip dog had to pee-------and adjust our "Codgitators".
What's a "Codgitator" you ask ???? An old man behind the handlebars....or steering wheel.
Helps a lot with gas mileage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We passed thru the little town of Avery, Idaho.
A really nice small town.
We got gas here too----the only pump gas available was an un-manned pump
that was difficult to get going for some reason.

 

 

Paul looking pretty relaxed........hell he was as relaxed as us retired guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Were heading toward Wallace Idaho---and special place in my heart.

 

 

 

 

 

Neatest little road of the trip.
I thought Dingweeds got coddywampass............but no he was right on track.
We went thru a gate that wouldn't allow a full size vehicle.

 

 

The highway was on the left side of that river and it went theu a tunnel.
I don't know how that trail got thru without going thru a tunnel..........but it did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See----just narrow vehicles could get thru.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at father and son---you can tell they are father and son. They had the same actions.
Harilip dog is firing up that ceeeeegar........stand back....no skeeters tonight.
I declined a puff on that big sucker.
I smoked a few ceegars back in college---chicks seemed to like it.
Checkout that fire ring--it had a backdrop to it. Never seen anything like it.

 

 

 

 

Did you ever see a more contented and happy face in all your life.
And check out that hat !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short Video Of Today's Ride

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rough map of today's Ride

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8
Camp To Another Camp
Mason (on right) always had a smile on his face. He hardly ever said anything.
He was so quiet sometimes I didn't know he was around. He only talked when he had something to say.
Always with that big smile..............and we pack up for the day.
I swear everyday all 5 of us were ready to ride at the same exact time.
Never a hurry............we were just all on the same page---always.
None of this "That Guy" crap.
See his dad's helmet upside down in this pic---that would bite him in the ass one nite a few days later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed South and Southeast and the views opened up again for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark was running a go-pro model video camera.
Me and Scott have been running Sena Prism tube cameras for a few years---since they came out anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure this is the same spot years ago when I discovered the gas line on my Husqvarna TE610 had come off
and filled my boot full of gasoline. The bike kept running as 2 line fed the carburetor.
It was rough terrain----I felt something funny but ignored it until it was too late.
My foot was chemical burned very badly-------and I went to the ER.
Long story on my website "The Long Way Up"

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Mason made fun of each other as who crawled into their tent first at nite.
The night before Mason must have not slept well....he instantly fell asleep wrapped around those big
bridge timbers and was out for a good half hour.
Wish we had some whipped topping to have some fun with this.

 

 

 

 

It was about 12 ft. straight down off the bridge to the rocks below and dad came over and
held on him for a good 20 minutes. The boy has to have his beauty sleep.
We had to wake him eventually and he seemed un-aware how long he'd been out.
Heck--------I'd a fell off there if I was awake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you've read me and Dingweeds stories over the years this requires no explanation.
Or..............if you have just been around him some.
It was a special moment for me and him being at Wahoo Creek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only picture of all of us.
Dingweeds stopped us all at this overlook for this great picture.
Who took the picture you ask ???? The camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up camping that nite at the Lochsa Lodge where we also had a great Dinner.
Again----a one meal day. The people at the lodge were so nice to us and we free camped right across
from the lodge right behind the oh so handy showers and bathrooms. It was a nite to remember.
There's a campground there but they insisted we camp for free.....................OK.
We paid $5 for a key to the shower house and all used it. They were fine with that.
We had breakfast there the next morning---you can't beat the food there.

 

A rough Map of todays ride.

 

 

 

 

A short Video of Day 8

 

 

 

 

Day 9

 

This was our free campsite at the Lochsa Lodge.
I am demonstrating the famous "Dingleweeds RP3000" Adventure tarp.
Scott gave me one of these when we first met in 2010.... I wore it out and got another.
It serves many purposes........bike cover......tent ground cloth....and a place to put your stuff while setting up
and breaking down camp. It's not an ordinary tarp---it has straps that loop thru the wheels of your bike
so it doesn't blow off. Available at Touratech for $450 and that comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

A Big breakfast was had at the Lochsa Lodge that morning.

 

 

 

 

Me and Hairlip Dog kind of wanted a day off today and rode the Pavement to 3 rivers camp near Lowell.
We used the excuse that we'd ridden the LoLo more than once----we turned on our Codgitators and it
pobably took us 5 hours to ride the 50 miles to Lowell awaiting the arrival of Dingweeds, Paul and Mason
as they rode the Lolo Motorway.
But hey----we got great gas mileage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the only 2 pictures Scott took of his ride across the Lolo.
What was cool...........these guys beat it thru the washout that we turned around at a few days ago.
And they made it thru------awesome !!!!!

 

 

 

While they were beating their way thru this wash out...........me and HairLipDog were waiting at
the 3 rivers campround for the guys to show up. We could actually watch their where-a-bouts
on our phones and the spot tracker devices.

 

 

 

 

When they all arrived at the campground I guess they were all kind of beat too and ready for a rest.
So we camped at the 3 rivers and enjoyed the pool and hot tubs.
First a nap for me.

 

 

 

 

Smiles All Around

 

 

 

 

Dingweeds finally got to deploy his Ducky he'd been carrying with him for days.

 

 

 

 

 

And then there were the hot tubs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No campfire that night---but that was OK.
A shower house and bathroom were right close to where are tents were--man that was a nice day for all of us

A short Video of Todays ride---both on the motorway---and the pavement me and HairLipDog took.

 

 

 

A rough map of me and HairLipDogs Track

 

 

 

 

Day 10

 

And Looky--------it's day 10 already !!!!
We knew we had a good breakfast coming at the restaurant across the river and we rode into Lowell.
Lowell----population 43............er .............make that 42.....or so the sign said.

 

 

 

 

 

Forgot about the mishap Mason on a sharp turn in gravel.
A bit of a skinned knee.
Mason learned a lot of things on this ride----the need of knee guards---but mostly how grown
men could fart at will and laugh about it. He might have squeaked one out on the ride.

 

 

 

 

 

Mason had the balance of a mountain goat. There's a drop off on the other side of that rock.
Not a problem for Mason-------I couldn't even get near the thing.

 

 

 

Me and the Dingweeds--------bud's forever.
We met on the internet---but don't tell anybody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found a new route from Lowell to Elk City and it was awesome.
Our old route was washed out we heard.
A splash of gas in Elk City and we were on the way to the Magruder Corrider.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Lewis and Clark Pose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Magruder Corridor did not disapoint.
And the boiling clouds that started surrounding us would haunt us in the nite.

 

 

 

 

 

Might have been our favorite campsite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again I took a bath in the river right before crawling into my tent and snuggling up with BigAgnes.
She's a big old girl----------but always keeps me warm at night.

 

 

 

 

 

I had bought some generic spam----Dingweed had some tortilla's which made a nice sammich.

 

 

 

 

The calm before the storm--------literally.
I think we gave Mason a lesson on what it's like when you get old.
I'll not repeat that on here.
He's just grin------as he was so polite-------and quiet.

 

 

 

 

 

I snuck up behind Mason as Dingweed poured some anti-biotic on Mason's knee that Dingweed
said would set him on fire. So I braced for a funny picture. He never even winced.

 

 

Me and Mason had a race to see who could keep up the latest............me or him.
I think I won that nite.
It was a quiet pretty sunset---------and nite.
I think a couple of us pondered leaving are tent fly's off.
I have a big tent and always have all my stuff inside my tent in case of a rain.
And rain it did.

In the middle of the nite the thundered rolled--------------gently at first---then louder.
On one side of us at first---------then all around. Then it hit..............the lightning bolt that made
all your hair stand straight up.......it was a deafoning crack that was oh so near and could be heard for miles.
CCCCCCccccccccRRRRRrrrrrrAAAAAaaaaaCCCCCccccccccKKKKKkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!
If you were asleep you weren't anymore---all were evaluating if their gear was stowed away OK
but not a word was said. Then it hit-------------it was rain all right--but sounded like marbles hitting
our rainfly's----and it got louder and louder and I feared the river would rise and wash us away.
No sleep. Water was pouring in my tent and I made a quick adjustment of a vent that stopped that.
It poured for hours--most of the nite and it just never stopped.
I stayed up top of my mattress knowing that it would be floating at any moment. The wind didn't blow but the
weather did everything else to scare the be--jesus out of me. I just knew the others couldn't possibly be as lucky as
me and not be soaked................but I was wrong. All were dry and as nite turned to day I could barely see and
started hearing this strange noise thru the rain drops which had subsided a lot. A banging noise---what
the hell was that ????? I finally peaked out and found Paul was chopping firewood and already had a fire
going----------and I was late for coffee. I hate being late for coffee.
How in the hell do you start a fire with soaked firewood
in the rain ???? Tell me...........It wasn't still raining---just dripping off the trees.
I crawled out sheepishly in my riding gear and we all laughed about the nite.
Packed everything up----------all soaking wet.
But poor ole Paul----------had left his helmet out----------upside down.
He said this was the only nite he didn't pack everything inside---as he poured a quart of water out of his helmet.

 

 

A rough map of our ride today.
Please note the waypoint "StormFromHellThatNight"

 

 

A short video of todays ride---Day 10

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11

I asked Scott to put up 11 fingers........Day 11........but this was the best he could do.
Notice Pauls helmet trying to dry out a bit------it took 3 days to dry out.

 

 

 

 

Mason slept an hour later than all of us and I knew when we woke him and he opened his tent
water would pour out------but he said he was high and dry and slept like a baby.
Coming from a guy who slept on a rail of a bridge for an hour.

 

 

 

I think we all had oatmeal and lot's of coffee----and Paul re-positioned his wet helmet.

 

 

 

 

 

Hardly ever met any riders on this ride---they were in a hurry and had no time for chit chat.
Had to be somewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Crap...........what a difference a few hours make.
No dust all day. Hairlip dog had to go back to work a couple days ago and missed the
storm from hell. But was watching the weather at home and knew what hit us.
So now it's just the four of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You cannot get tired of this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhhh..........the road not taken.

 

 

 

 

Paul was sure that storm had to start a fire somewhere........remember he is a forest fire fighter.
And sure enough------he spotted it before any of us did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wa--------Hooooooo!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up in Salmon Idaho----I really wanted a motel room to rest up and dry our stuff out.
Me and Dingweeds did---and Paul and his son Mason camped out very near us.
We unpacked all our camping gear to dry. It dried very quickly in the warm sun.
The nice breeze helped out too.

A short video of our ride today.

 

 

 

 

A map of our ride today

 

 

Day 12
Salmon to Broken DRZ in Challis.

 

 

 

Another perfect day---the DRZ still giving Mason fits.
We all thought it was the carb---but we rode on.
We had already by-passed the kickstand switch, the clutch switch and even the kill switch
hoping one of those was the problem
that caused the bike to miss or just stop running.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved these fence railings

 

 

 

 

We waved to this lonesome cowboy as we rode by.
He waved to everybody and never got tired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rare water crossing on this ride-------there were several just like this.
Had concrete blocks in the water.

 

 

 

 

Challis came into view---we had no intention of staying here tonight as me and Scott had a campsite
in store for us that we camped at years ago and was our favorite ever.
It was on our Tour Of Idaho ride years ago.
But as they say .........you can never go back.

 

 

 

 

Not far out of Challis the DRZ really threw a fit. It never quit totally but missed a lot and gave you no
confidence it would keep running.
Me and Scott knew where we were going and new for sure it was no place to have an ailing motorcycle.
A tow out would have been miserable---probably had to call in an ATV.
I advise we not go out there and Dingweeds agreed.
We took the bike back into Challis to a really nice small engine repair guy.

 

 

 

 

The mechanic pulled the carb and gas tank and did his best with what he had to work with.
He knew what he was doing with the carb--and made quick work of cleaning it.
We hoped it was OK.

 

A short video of the days ride

 

 

 

 

 

 

A map of our ride today

 

 

Day 13
The beginning of the end.
So this is day 13................not 3 !!!!
We had a great breakfast at a cafe across the street.

 

 

We headed out the same way out of Challis we did yesterday and the DRZ kept going.
We went a few miles ad I had forgotten it had been ailing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we go---------to our favorite campsite.
We'd end the day early there............but it was spectacular.

 

 

 

 

Poop !!!!!

 

 

 

 

The bike acted up again. There was nothing else to do but throw in the towel.
I was the only rider who didn't have to be somewhere in a couple days.
One last pic of all of us as we limped back to Challis..........the DRZ backfiring
the whole way.

 

 

Me and Dingweeds beat it back to Pocatello to the trucks.....about 180 miles I think on the pavement.
Paul and Mason had traveled to Pocatello in Dingweeds truck so there was nothing to do
but go back and retrieve the both of them. Me......... I just loaded up and headed home in my
Transit van.

 

 

It is a long standing 10 year tradition for me and Dingweeds to have a burger and
Chocolate (the only kind) frosty at Wendy's at the end of a ride..........we have always done it.
We said our goodbye's again. I remember telling Paul and Mason "when you say goodby to someone....
you may never see them again...so make it a good one".
You never know.

A Short video of the day------with some added nonsense.

 

 

Hope you've enjoyed our ride---thanks guys !!!!
Back---to my Homepage.