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Out of the canyon onto the plateau

7/5/2014

8 Comments

 
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DAY 51
Wilderness Gateway Campground, ID to Grangeville, ID

We spend the first 50 miles of the day following first the Lochsa River and then the West Fork of the Clearwater River downstream. The morning is cold as the sun can't break the depth of the deep canyon walls until well into the noon hour. With no headwind to battle our pace is an easy 17 mph. The canyon River scenery rivals the previous days indescribable rugged beauty. Today's scenery is slightly different as we have dropped in elevation. The canyon has widened, the lush forest has become more sparsely vegetated, and the ancient basalt lava flows now dominate the arid walls of the gorge.
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Too spectacular for words

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We stop in the town of Kooskia for lunch. On the southern end of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, I didn't expect much. I suppose it's wrong to stereotype and expect the worst out of Indian Reservations. However, every reservation I've ever passed through (excluding the casino rich reservations in Washington) have been ramshackled with poverty, a type of poverty and despair that spills into the streets. Usually run down and dirty with an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness mixed with danger. That being said, Kooskia was very charming. A vibrant Main Street with restaurants, shops, and bars. Everyone we spoke with seemed genuinely happy and exceedingly nice to us.
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Idaho is killin' it scenery wise!
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Becky and I disagree on the elevation profile of the afternoon climb. I'll admit it did appear to be a steady steep climb, but not an extreme ascent. She forecast death by vertical exhaustion. I'm not saying I was wrong, because the profile wasn't overly extreme. But wow, the climb turned out to be intense. Relentless switchback after relentless switchback. The heat of the afternoon sun added to the misery. By misery, I mean breathtaking scenery as we rose above the Clearwater River onto the high fertile fields of the plateau. Once atop the plateau, snow capped peaks could again be seen in the far distant horizon.
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And the switchbacks start
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At least Keith is still smiling
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Becky walks...
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...while Keith speeds off
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The beautiful view from the top
Entering Grangeville we enjoy a shower at the city pool, free camping at the Lions Club Park, and pizza and local beer at a restaurant downtown.

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Stats:
Miles: 77.10
Average speed: 12.2 mph
Max speed: 37.4 mph
Odometer: 3593 miles
8 Comments
MIP
7/10/2014 03:25:03 am

I just caught up on CO til now..this was the highlight of my morning! Enjoy the last 1000 miles, you guys are incredible<3

Reply
becky
7/10/2014 01:14:51 pm

I love knowing that youre following us on our adventure! Thanks for the kind words :)

Reply
Nicole Borchard (Parquette)
7/11/2014 06:03:21 am

I was showing my dad some of your pictures and have to admit, was kind of bragging to him about how awesome you are :) I have this site in my favorites and I check it every other day and get so excited when there is something new! Stay safe!

Reply
becky
7/12/2014 10:07:08 am

Thank you nicole! Your words put a smile on my face and warmed my heart :) we should be able to update some more in the next couple days, i love that our blog is just a click away! Tell dad hi

Reply
Stephanie
7/11/2014 11:26:17 am

Hi Becky and Keith, I have been following you on your journey since you stopped into the peach orchard back in Crozet, Virginia. I am an employee there and have seen many bicyclists in the spring and fall starting or finishing their journey and have always wondered what the road would be like once they left! Thank you for sharing your journey. Your photos are beautiful and your writing cracks me up, although it may not be funny to you:) Good luck on your journey and be safe. You're almost there!

Reply
keith and becky
7/12/2014 10:34:51 am

Thanks for reading! It means a lot to us that people we have met along the way are following us :) despite my pessimistic writing style, 90% of this journey has been fun. And thank you for your comment, it was very sweet!

Reply
Allison Unruh link
7/12/2014 09:20:45 am

Hey Keith and Becky, I wanted to say that everyone is so proud of you back home and that we can't wait to see you soon. And do you know how many miles you and Becky have walked, biked, swam, etc.?
Love, Ally

Reply
keith and becky
7/12/2014 10:28:46 am

Is my little cousin allison? You sound so grown up :) thanks for reading, and we cant wait to see y'all. And its hard to know for sure, but probably 5,000 hiking, 4,000 and counting biking, and we havent mastered swimming yet, so zero. See you soon!

Reply



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    team.becky.keith

    Binge drifting is a way of life for us. Since we met in 2008, we have worked seasonally in 10 different states, driven across this amazing country of ours countless times, hiked from Mexico to Canada, bicycled from coast to coast and traveled the world. We hope you enjoy these tales of our journey chasing adventure!

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