Leaving the harsh starkness of the Clarkston/Lewiston area behind, I started the 44 mile ride to Winchester, ID, in Arizona summer-like temperatures. Riding easterly along the Clearwater River provided some relief, but it stayed hot for most of the first twenty miles.
A point of interest along the river was a site where archaeologists had located a village that had been inhabited by the Nez Perce for about 10,000 years, with the height of activity from 2100 BC to 500 BC. This site was on one of the many major trade routes developed by the various Indian Nations long before Euro/Americans entered the Northwest.
The previously flat road to Winchester took a dramatic change in character at around mile 30 … a thirteen-mile-climb change to be exact. This climb started in a small town that goes by the name of Culdesac (elev. 2000’) and ends in Winchester (elev. 4200’). The road goes through Culdesac ... go figure that one out. Even though the grade was not all that steep, the climbing was continuous … at 4 mph, it took a little over 3 hours.
There were two items of note observed/experienced during the climb.
The first had to do with a rail line built in 1908. This line provided rail service from Lewiston, ID, up to the Camas Prairie area. The line is still in operation, and still utilizes the wooden-trestle bridges constructed in 1908/09. These bridges are a true study in structural beauty. Along with these bridge structures, seven tunnels were dug through mountains … one of the tunnels is horse-shoe shaped. Pretty impressive construction effort, if you ask me.
The other item of interest during the climb had to do with Lady Bugs. Because the road follows the path of the Lapwai Creek, at times there were continuous swarms of these bugs over long stretches of road. When you are traveling at 4 mph, the Lady Bugs have a tendency to land on your cheeks, nose, ears, sun-glasses, etc. This, in-and-of-itself, does not pose a problem; however, if you happen to be a mouth-breather (such as I) you end up with either a lack of oxygen or an abundance of protein (assuming that when Lady Bugs are ingested they provide protein).
Long climb, long day … but my fitness level is returning and my attitude continues to improve.
at least they weren't bees...that could get tiresome. glad the endurance is returning.
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Randy - it's great to hear you are getting back in the groove. Ladybugs are such friendly little insects, it's hard to be annoyed by them. Looking forward to more history and stories.
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