9 day northern loop (p2)

Riding south from Kalispell we go on the west side of Flat head lake, somewhere along the way 

we stop to get some fresh picked cherries....they were delicious!

The fruit stand had a unique fence behind it.

And some  also unique decorations.

Then on our way to St. Ignatius to visit the Mission of the same name.

The Mission was established in the early 1890s. The Mission cook, Brother Joseph Carignano, painted 58 frescoes in the Mission chapel.

Bro. Carignano was an untrained artist but obviously blessed with incredible talent. His works are wonderful!

Leaving the Mission after a peaceful and relaxing visit, we ride about 14 miles to the Ewam Garden of 1000 Buddhas, located near the town of Arlee, Montana

All over the Garden people have left coins and small stones.

The Garden of 1000 Buddhas is another peaceful, relaxing place. We wandered around the grounds for an hour or so and had a nice time there.

On our way to Salmon, Idaho we're getting closer to a storm so we stop to don rain gear. A guy (in a pickup truck) followed us off the road and tells us the storm we're heading into is a 'huge, terrible storm'... "We've ridden in rain before, we'll be ok" I tell him, but he persists saying, "Its a bad storm....hail, rain, puddles...I even had a hard time and I was on a BIG Harley!" looking doubtfully at my, apparently insufficient Yamaha Super Tenere.....

We suited up and rode on wet roads, but saw no rain. Lucky for us considering the bike we were on.....

And then all to soon, we're homeward bound.
At about Idaho Falls we reluctantly got on the freeway to make better time. We had been on back roads for almost all of the trip. But you have to do what you have to do. 

One of the many fires.. North of Idaho Falls.

In the lobby of the last hotel we stayed in...

and around the corner of the lobby.

I didn't see if it actually worked...

An awesome trip...so many back roads, so much scenery, so much in our lives to be thankful for!
Nine days and 2114 miles of America the Beautiful.