Getting our ducks in a row…

August 18, 2024

Took a drive west across Montana with an overnight in Missoula (home of my son Dominic). Always a pleasure to be in Missoula even if it’s a quick visit. Today we drove north following the Clark Fork River to Lake Pend Oreille (ponderay) where the cute town of Sandpoint, Idaho sits.

At this point, we had a couple of hours to hangout in beautiful Sandpoint City Beach Park while waiting for our motel room to be ready. It’s a warm, beautiful Sunday afternoon and the park is teeming with families, friends, picnickers, boaters, volleyball, pickleball and tennis players. The water is clear and beautiful. A lovely August summer day.

Once the room was ready it was time to finish putting front fenders and racks on our bikes. I should say it’s Jim’s job!

Stopped at the grocery store for some lunch supplies. Found a nice Italian restaurant for a good dinner. The checklist is complete. Now it seems we are ready for departure tomorrow morning! The motel has kindly allowed us to keep our car here while we’re bicycle touring but not without signing a release waiver!

The weather forecast tomorrow is hot…86! We have a shortish ride to Bonner’s Ferry…44 miles or so. Looking for an 8am start. It’s been since last October riding a loaded touring bicycle but we’re counting on it to feel comfortable pretty quickly.

Here we go….we are excited!