Day 56, into the Sawtooth Mountains

I stopped at the local market before leaving Arco.

I picked up a mediocre doughnut, a cup of coffee and an awesome bunch of 0.29$ per pound bananas.

And for those of you that don't know, bananas are the best cycling food.

Anyways, when I walked out of the shop, someone had left a high visibility vest on my bike.

That's nice!

Unfortunately, it is really heavy. I plan on modifying it, by cutting off the heavy pockets, this week during a rest day. Then I'll have a lightweight, reflective vest. Thank you stranger.

And here is where it gets weird:

I don't even know how to react.

Arco has also has a submarine fin:

Another cycle tourist took my picture, thanks!

The ride north was stunning. There was not much traffic on the roads and an overcast sky kept the temperature cool.

After 56 days of riding, this is the first time I've seen this sign (and I've seen a lot of signs):

A member of our family is an avid flyer (not sure about the correct terminology). Scott, check out Idaho sometime :)

Nothing but mountains on both sides into Mackay, Idaho.

There, I picked up an icecream sandwich at the local market and headed to the library. I just got setup (laptop, charger, etc.) and the librarian informed me they were closing. Bummer.

I saw a shop on the main street called The Liar's Den, with Tackle & Coffee in smaller print beneath.

Inside, I met Zan, the owner of the place, and Gary a patron drinking some coffee. With a fresh cup of coffee in my own hands, I picked their brains about the area. They suggested some great spots to camp north of Mackay and north of Salmon (where I plan to meetup with my friends riding their motorcycles out to the area).

Gary & Zan, I appreciate the conversation and friendly atmosphere. Thanks!

Zan said he was closing up shop, but let me use the patio (and his wifi) outside the shop for as long as I needed.

Before leaving town, I stopped in at their local museum (another suggestion). This place is incredible - chock full of relics from the town's mining height.

My Mom told me their dryer went out... you could be using this setup.

The printing press was my favorite.

With less than twenty minutes inside, the museum was also closing... Oh well.

The ladies at the museum told me the town's big, annual rodeo started tomorrow. In hindsight, I wish I would have stayed in Mackay for the rodeo and continued the next day.

Within ten minutes on the road, the headwind crept pass 10 mph and a light rain started.

I tried to get to the suggested campground, but I couldn't make it. About ten miles out, I stopped by a pit of gravel, hiked behind towards the fences and setup camp.

It was a great, secluded site.

But so windy. Reminiscent of Gaviota Beach, where I thought I'd blow away at night.

Regardless, the mountains are beautiful, making up for the awful weather. And I fell asleep in the shadow of Leatherman Peak.

Joe