TODAY'S TALES: 

Yawn...we slept in this morning and didn't load luggage until 8:30, but even though it was a laid back morning, it was still hectic for the staff.  Maybe it was because we were out of our normal routine...don't know.  But the riders seemed to take it in stride and looked forward to an easy, laid back 39 miles to our destination in Burley.  The temperatures were warm and the skies were sunny.  We had a wind, what there was of it, to our backs...what could be sweeter...A SCAVENGER HUNT!!!!!

Today's short mileage made time for our annual scavenger hunt.  We handed out the "find" sheets at luggage load and riders teamed up to find their quarry.  It was amazing that good friends stopped talking to one another to keep from giving away answers to some of the clues.  As soon as the luggage was loaded, the riders scattered to the four winds looking for items.  We judged the contest and spared no expense for prizes...I'll talk more about that in a minute. 

Our route today followed the Snake River Canyon for about 9 miles. Then we broke away and followed I-84 on frontage roads.  It was quite a lonely route except for the sound of interstate traffic and the pulsating sounds of the watering systems that were virtually everywhere.  There wasn't much climbing today either unless riders opted to ride down to the Snake River.  The ones that took that side trip, got a couple good climbs to add to their collection but the views of the canyon were well worth the effort.  But all-in-all it was a pretty restful day on the bike and everyone got in early and got a good rest before a tough day tomorrow.

Before potatoes in Idaho, there was gold!  Many took a side trip to the Twin Falls area which was a beautiful descent into the Snake River Gorge where, in 1869, gold was found below the falls.  As you can imagine, when someone yelled "GOLD" it led to an influx of miners (you wouldn't think hordes of people would flock to this area if someone yelled, "Potatoes!"), but it didn't take long for the mining to fizzle out (potatoes won out in the end).  After the bust of gold mining by 1870, the mining camps turned to agriculture which is still the main activity today.  Lake Bonneville, the bigger ancestor of the Great Salt Lake, flooded this area 15,000 years ago and formed the two cataracts that spill onto the rocks below.  The power dam at Twin Falls supplies enough power to provide electricity to 31,900 homes...oh, the power of water.  It was interesting to read about the development of the area...it would be nice if we had time every day to learn more about our country.

In the afternoon, I gave a "Care and Feeding of the Drivetrain" clinic.  Many of the problems we see in maintenance time are the result of mistreatment or neglect so I try to give pointers on how to keep the shifting operation running smoothly.  It was well attended and produced lots of questions...and I got a new chain put on.

After dinner we judged the Scavenger Hunt. Teams lined up and showed us their collected items...Jeff served as master of ceremonies with Barb providing "Vanna White" help.  Some of the teams were very ingenious to say the least. The score was close but Team "Winos on Wheels" came through with the winning total after our team of impartial judges (Jane, Jim, and Ken) allowed their finds.  It was a fun finish to a short and restful day.

After all the frivolity, we now have to think about riding again.  Tomorrow we ride to Blackfoot...110 miles.  It looks like a good day, but we could see some nasty weather in the afternoon.  It will be a tough one...hopefully we'll have tailwinds.  Tune in to see what happens tomorrow.  It promises to be another adventure.

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