day 13 Ontario to Boise 104km Uphill 2400 ft Downhill 1815 ft

When my alarm beeped at 5 a.m. this morning I thought it was a cruel joke. Darkness was still all around me and I was still tired. So I rolled over and slept for another ½ hr. I’ll just pack my tent up super fast today.

Barb had a flat when she came in last evening, so John set about changing it and we were off by 7 a.m. We had only been on our bikes for 10 minutes or less when we came to the state line. Another photo opportunity. Idaho here we come.

The ride today is up and down. At 10 a.m. we happened to come upon a coffee shop, ‘Sandy Hollow’. They had the best cinnamon buns and the coffee was a great pick me upper.

Back to the ride. We had rollers and it didn’t seem that difficult. The area we biked through today had a lot of field crops that were irrigated by flood irrigation (ditches that allow water to flow to the crops in small amount). We saw sugar beet fields, beans, onions, corn, wheat and who could forget the fragrant field of mint. It was so fresh, a treat to my senses. One wrong turn had us miss a huge hill (so sad) but we did add around 3km extra to the day. Some local cyclists directed us back on the right path to Boise. They probably wondered how we'll ever find New Jeresy! I did have one moment of panic, don’t know why, but all of a sudden I couldn’t catch my breath. It was like I was hyperventilating. I was second from the back of a rather long pace line so thankfully the other riders didn’t realize what was happening. Andy stayed back with me till I was able to breathe normally again (it only lasted like 1 minute) and then we started to catch the gang, but it happened again. So we slowed down till the problem had corrected. The rest of the ride was uneventful. As we neared the town of Boise we are passing many equestrian farms. What an economical contrast to Huntington.

The line of cyclists keeps growing. We passed thru Hyde Park, a delightful village. Then we continue on to Boise. Tonight we are staying at Timberline High school. Another beautiful facility. The private showers were to die for, very private, lots of pressure and ever so clean.

I’m typing this at the Jiffy Clean Laundromat. Jean Hammond (a wonderful woman that has been following Gayle’s blog and came here to meet her) offered to drive us here. We are so thankful because the thought of getting on the bike and lugging our laundry 2 miles just seems overwhelming. That the internet is free at the Laundromat was an additional bonus. Should also mention that across from the high school we have a coffee shop, drug store, etc. No need to travel far this weekend. Tomorrow we need to cycle 3 miles to the park where they are holding the celebration service.

Temperatures ranged today, but it peaked about the time when I was setting up my tent (low 90’s F).

Jean is here waiting to take us back, so I’d best get this posted.

Till next time, Cynthia