Hell Sure is Gorgeous!

Being facetious, of course! And apparently flowers bloom a-plenty in Hell -- Hell's Canyon, that is! Unable to wake up at o-dark-hundred to meet for a group ride, we decided instead to blaze our own trail today, this time up to the Hell's Canyon Overlook, a spot we've been meaning to visit for some time. Why anyone would name such a heavenly place "Hell's Canyon" is beyond me, but I suspect it has to do with the ruggedness of the terrain and the early pioneers.

Here's a crude pieced-together-panorama shot. Someday I'll have a proper wide angle lens. Until then, we'll enjoy the wild flowers that carpeted the lush meadows, and the brilliant blue sky. Here are more pix of the views - stunning to say the least! 

 I really wanted to snatch this up and take it home, to reduce to bones and have it mounted properly. It would make a neat anatomical specimen for the studio. But not only did I suspect that hubby would be nonplussed with me cramming a decaying elk leg into his bike-bag, but the Park had a "no tread" and "no take" policy, so I left it to fertilize future flowers. I wondered what the story was behind this leg...the rest of the carcass was nowhere to be seen. 

Three of the interesting surprises on this trip were the cows we encountered on the road (apparently the Park is free-roaming). On a Harley, coming face to face with a large black steer that outweighs you and the bike combined is interesting to say the least! The second quirk of the trip was realizing that the road to the overlook ate up more gas than expected -- and on a bike, the contents of the gas tank are a big deal. Suffice to say we rolled into Baker City almost on fumes! The third hiccup was not knowing that much of the roads to Hell's Canyon and the Overlook were just repaired with tar and gravel, and for a bike that slows the trip to a crawl -- so we got home four hours later than expected! Rolling into our driveway just as the sun was going down, we were tired, but armed with great memories, lovely photos and some good stories for our fellow riders.

Anyway, when I tell folks I'm from Idaho, most people say, "Where?" Then their next question usually is, "Why Idaho?" Well, if these photos, and the others I've posted, are any indication (and they are), they provide a pretty good answer. I'm definitely a NorthWest girl, though I do admit that living in a lighthouse along the Maine coast is equally tempting. As the years go by, I also find myself being drawn ever more to hidden, reclusive places -- those little homesteads tucked away behind hillsides would sure seem more homey with a kiln in the back...

"I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Hell Sure is Gorgeous!

Rumbling in Remembrance

On Saturday we rode for ourselves, but on Sunday we rode for others in the Idaho Patriot Thunder Rally. Here's a local news story about the event. This is the second year it was held and was open to all bikes (not just Harleys).

The motorcycle community has a long, closely-knit history with veterans and the military. Having learned how to ride in the military, many war veterans returned home and bought a motorcycle. They also found the same camaraderie with fellow bikers as they had in their unit, and thus the biker "gang" was born. Over the years, this subculture grew to incorporate motorcycle enthusiasts from all different walks of life, and spawned a diverse and distinctive community. Indeed, "bikers" are a uniquely American institution. So if you see passing bikers extend a hand to each other on the road, they're acknowledging kin on two wheels.

And the motorcycle community in America has never forgotten its roots. Even today, bike rallies regularly support those charities benefiting veterans, wounded soldiers and POW/MIA. It's also typical to find vests and jackets emblazoned with patches designating the military status of the wearer, and the support of POW/MIA. For instance, hubby has a giant POW/MIA patch on the back of his vest, and a Seabees pin to honor his Grandpa who served in this division of the Navy in WWII. This region of Idaho also has a strong military presence with Gowen Field in Boise, and Mountain Home Air Force base just thirty minutes away.

So it's no surprise then that this year's rally - with nice weather this time - attracted a record-breaking 727 bikes, making it the biggest rally ever in Idaho! It was so wonderful to see all kinds of people show up with all kinds of bikes, united in a common purpose. America isn't about Britney Spears, Jersey Shore, Donald Trump and billionaire CEOs. That's all superficial crud. This country really is about you and me, the everyday folks who step up to the plate and do what we can to help our fellows. To be reminded of this, in the rumbling sea of chrome and leather, was humbling and joyous. 

So here's a photo montage of the day for your enjoyment (click on the images to make them bigger)...

On display was a vintage army jeep, which also was used to haul in our "start gun."

 

The parking lot at the Meridian Harley-Davidson soon filled to capacity with bikes!

The presentation of the colors. The group in the back singing the Star Spangled Banner includes Miss Idaho. Our Governor and First Lady also showed up and gave a speech.

 A fitting shot for the day.

 

I was most excited about this guy! When that sucker went off I about died with giddiness!

At that point, the bikes rumbled to life and we headed out - our first stop, Mountain Home!

Here we go!

As we went through town and along the interstate, people lined the streets and overpasses to wave at us. I waved back, of course! Cars and truckers honked in support!

This enormous flag greeted us as we rolled into Mountain Home, attached to the ladder of a fire engine that belonged to the Mountain Home Fire Department. Quite a sight!

 Ordinarily we would have stopped at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, but it was closed to the public for security reasons. So we stopped at the local park instead for a drink and yak break. We also got a chance to admire this neat custom bike better, too. I love the propeller!

 

It's customary for bikers to have a good luck bell attached to their bike, given to them by another biker. Even the cops had them!

I thought this was awesome!

 

Our last stop was the Warhawk Air Museum, located in the Nampa Municipal Airport. Hubby and I had been meaning to go for years and were so happy that it was opened for the ride. I thought it was just planes, but oh boy...it was so much more! What's especially great is that one of the curators took a great deal of time to document the personal back story behind the items. There are dozens of binders containing the family history, letters, diary entries, poems and any curiosities behind most of the pieces. We're definitely going to return, and early in the day so we have time to read through those binders!

  

I can't imagine eating biscuits for a daily ration. They aren't even covered in chocolate.

 

Good gravy! Look at that gun! Is that not terrifying? If some guy came at me with that thing, I'd shriek and beat feet the other way.

  

  

 I loved these old typewriters. We are so spoiled today.

 

They had cases of "war jewelry." I find this so interesting, given the lack of "circumstance" our recent wars have had in our society.

 

 Here's a demo display of nautical knots. I would make the worst sailor - I can barely remember how to tie my shoes.

 

This display was so neat!

 

I loved this field record player. Music is such a human necessity, isn't it?

 

Here's a Seabees banner - go Grandpa!

 

 

  

  

I'll leave you with a beautiful rose, from one of the many rose bushes that grow in front of the Meridian Harley-Davidson dealership. Their aroma was heavenly! Life is sweet, thanks to those who fought and died for us.

"There is only one thing that can form a bond between men, and that is gratitude...we cannot give someone else greater power over us than we have ourselves. " ~ Baron de Montesquieu

Rumbling in Remembrance

Heaven in Hell's Canyon

 A typical Idaho/Oregon pastoral scene. Moo cows!

We took a ride on Saturday along a new route for both of us, through Hell's Canyon in a loop from Idaho to Oregon. Hell's Canyon is the deepest river gorge in the U.S. and we've been meaning to visit for some time. According to the map (below, from the "you are here" pointer), we went north on 71, turned south at Copperfield Park and followed 86 to Baker City, and from there back to Boise.

 

 This big, nifty map was posted outside on the wall of a local gas station.

We didn't really know what to expect, though we'd heard this ride was lovely from several riders over the years. What we experienced, however, was nothing short of spectacular! The skies were bright blue, showcasing the brilliant snow capped mountains beautifully. The uncharacteristic intense rains of the past couple of months caused the meadows, hills and canyons to be blanketed in a lush, verdant green, and inspired the wild flowers to sprout in vast glorious armies, in dense thickets of yellows, whites, blues and purples. Of course I was too spellbound by those blooms to snap pix of them, but I did manage to capture a few incredible views...

We rode past Brownlee Reservoir and stopped at this tourist site. The red arrow indicates the original narrow trail for those wagons, and you can follow that groove across the hills. The thought of two wagons butting heads unexpectedly gives me hives.

This sign was right next to the one above. Idaho is rich in gems, minerals and precious metals, thus being nicknamed "The Gem State." It also is one of two places where star garnets can be found and - as yet - the only place where six-pointed star garnets have been found.

Brownlee Dam with a flowing spillway. We've had lots of rain this year, and there's still the snow melt!

As we rode down the road along the spillway and into Oregon, I was dazed by the greenery and the glassy surface of the Snake River. Further on, we rode through a bit of Payette National Forest and the landscape was stunning. For your enjoyment, following are various shots I took throughout the day as we drove through Oregon and back to Idaho, in no particular order...

 

 

We dropped into Baker City to catch the interstate back to Boise. We plan to get a hotel some weekend to use as a hub to explore the gorgeous country in that area in future rides. Baker City was one of the locations where Paint your Wagon was filmed.

The inevitable gruesome bug splatter. Hubby will spend hours cleaning and polishing his bike after a trip like this, but don't feel bad for him. It's a kind of meditation he enjoys immensely.

As I mentioned, Idaho has experienced an uncommon amount of rain this year, with unseasonably cool Spring weather to go with it. It's as though Spring decided to take a vacation - again! The bikers have complained bitterly about this, since we're all used to sunny riding by the end of April. So as we crossed the Idaho/Oregon border, what struck us was the weather: the skies changed from cold overcast grey to warm brilliant blue! It was as though Oregon commandeered our Idaho weather for the weekend. All in all, it was a wonderful day and fun adventure! Thanks for the great time, Ham!

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~ Ansel Adams

Heaven in Hell's Canyon