Evan Malinchock
This is my extremely short ode to Idaho, the most unexpectedly enjoyed state I've ever been to.
First state border of the trip!
We woke up in our campsite literally on the border of Washington and Idaho and got on our bikes and immediately stopped to enjoy a McDonald's breakfast, a troop 845 classic (though we agreed it was much more overhyped than anything in our cohort). Within a handful of pedal strokes from the parking lot we left the state of Washington behind and entered our shortest lived state of Idaho. From then on the road to Sandpoint was one that skirted along a lake with many abrupt climbs and descents through woods and on shorelines before we faced the legendary Sandpoint Bridge.
Wes takes on the Sandpoint Bridge
(Mom this is for you) you would be happy to know none of us had the desire to jump off this bridge and much like the McDonald's that preceded the bridge we all agreed that the fabled bridge that kept former troop 845 cyclists awake at night out of fear of its height was actually a disappointing height, not more than a typical diving board at a pool. But something that was not a let down was the town of Sandpoint, a sort of Bohemian paradise in the middle of north Idaho.
Since the beginning of the bike trip I've drank (at least) one bottle of kombucha a day, if not for it's micro-bio health benefits then for it's flavor. Sandpoint is the home of the best of the trip that I've had so far, so this town has taken the cake for me. To pair this kombucha I had an eggless and flourless brownie that was superb!
After leaving Sandpoint we continued along Lake Pend Oreille to the small hamlet of Clark Fork Idaho. Here we stayed with a warm showers hosts who owned an all-home-made restaurant in this town with a population less than 400 people. She offered to host us at her restaurant, the Squeeze-Inn, and give us extra pasta to carbo load for the next day! Back at her home we set up our tents and played with her adorable month old husky puppy, Aisha.
Evan and Aisha relax after a tough day
Idaho has been more than great to us, beautiful roads, wonderful food, playful puppies, and even better people. Though Idaho was our shortest state I have nothing but fond memories and kind words to say about this state.