SSSSSSSSmoking! 1

On my last ride, "Trust me" I had heard about two places that I put on my 'have to see' list.

Tom told me about Joseph, Oregon, where there are bronze statues all over the town....I put it on my list.

Two KTM riders we ran into tell us about Yellow Pine, Idaho which they tell us has a Harmonica Festival every year. The thing about Yellow Pine is you have to ride dirt roads to get there....on the list it goes.

Then as luck would have it, I have the next week free and available, hmmm, what should I do?

So I leave for Boise; the western states are on fire, and smoke is heavy. I see mile after mile of burned stubble along the freeway on the way to Boise.

I'm in need of gas, I'm on my last gallon and there aren't many choices in this sparsly populated area. So I stop here; I'll never do that again! It took me three trips into the store and had to move my bike to two different pumps before I was finally able to fuel. The guy on the other side of the pumps was cussing them worse than I was. Everyone I saw fueling seemed to be having the same problem and was angry about the same thing.

Happy to be fueled (finally!) and on my way again I take this picture in Cambridge Idaho. Cambridge is where the Hell's Canyon Recreation Area road begins.

If you're a biker this curvy road should be on your bucket list!

Just before the dam.

After the dam on my way to Joseph, Oregon.

Fawn....moma was nearby.

And...Joseph, Oregon. What a neat town! There are indeed numerous statues around the town, but it is late and I need to find a place to throw out my tent.

After a couple of phone calls and leaving messages, Scott, the owner of the Mountain View RV and cabin park, returns my call and "hooks me up" with this site. Scott is very motorcycle friendly, and it was a nice place to stay. The only complaint is the limited shower/bathrooms. But if I go to Joseph again I'll likely stay at the same place.

Next morning leaving Joseph and on my way via Clarkston, Washington Kooskia, Idaho then stopping just before McCall at the Payette National Forest  Last Chance campground.

A few miles after I ride through Enterprise, Oregon I'm on a very quiet, very unpopulated road (SR3). I see something in the distance which turns out to be a woman pushing a bicycle along the side of the road, actually she is off the road and walking in the weeds. I stop alongside her to ask if she needs assistance. She is quite thin and has gray hair. It only takes a moment to realize that she has difficulty communicating and seems to be somewhat handicapped.

In our conversation she assures me that she is safe and walking to her home, which is 'over there' (a vague hand wave).

The situation is untenable,  I don't feel comfortable leaving her all alone, but I can't insist that she allow me to help her either.

So, I ride off, deciding if I don't see a house in a mile I will dial 911. Over a mile later there are still no houses in sight. I stop and make the call and after giving my location and a description of the woman, the dispatcher tells me they know her and it is not unsual for her to walk along that road. Everythings ok, my mind is eased, I ride on.

Oregon (Lewiston Highway, SR 3) just a few miles before the Washington state line.

Anatone, Washington.

Looking back down at Boggans Oasis.

Church in White Bird, Idaho.

The bridge just before Riggins, Idaho.

The Last Chance campground.

Home for a night.

Tomorrow I'll ride through McCall to Cascade, Idaho and stay at the Arrowhead RV park.