The canyon morning was quite a bit cooler than I expected. Just means I can get on the road early.
Despite Google saying the entire ride was uphill, it was spread out over 50 something miles - essentially flat.
I know I keep saying that the scenery gets better and better. This has to be the most beautiful road to ride on so far.
I stopped at a little bridge and enjoyed a granola bar while the Salmon River raged underneath.
When I reached Sunbeam, I noticed a little sign advertising ice cream beneath the road sign. I turned off the highway into the village.
There I immediately met Nancy, who I think is one of the gals running the Sunbeam Village. I inquired about the ice cream and I arrived one week too early. They're just getting up and running for the summer and expect their shipment of ice cream to be delivered next week.
However, a few guys sitting on the porch of a whitewater raft tour shop shouted out, star bar.
Nancy ran inside and came back with a saran-wrapped frozen star bar. She said, give it about ten minutes to warm up.
While the frozen treat warmed up, I talked with Eric, Mike and Sam. All three are tour guides for the adventure rafting company in Sunbeam. Eric and Mike are both middle school math teachers and spend their summers guiding whitewater raft tours.
Seems like a perfect summer vacation to me.
They informed me that the Sunbeam hot springs were too full at the moment, being washed out by the Salmon River. But they gave me directions to another spot: boat box.
Just as you start getting into Stanley, look for a 30 mph warning sign, boat box is in the river to the left.
New hot spring goals!
Thank you! Also, if you read this, please thank Nancy again for the star bar - it was delicious.
Nearing the location of the recommended hot spring, I spotted something.
This is the first bald eagle I've seen. Here is a closer shot:
If only I had a telephoto lens for my camera phone.
Shortly after I ran into the hot spring which was being overrun by three rafts filled with people. I'll try again tomorrow.
And then I entered the valley:
Once again, breathtaking
Now mid-afternoon, my first order of business was food (usually is, right?). I dropped by Papa Brunee's Pizza, and demolished one of the pizzas that Brett said I have to try:
Thai Me Up: spicy peanut sauce, chicken, mushrooms, spinach, onions, and crushed peanuts.
Great recommendation!
After that I headed to the Rod-N-Gun Saloon for a beer. Inside I met the most amazing owners.
Johnny Ray & Eve
We talked for ages about the bike journey, their lives, politics, etc... the list goes on.
Johnny Ray showed me a video of his favorite road to drive (he drives a semi) in California - a tree lined section of 101 just north of Salinas.
When Dave and I started this bike adventure, we turned off Highway 101 just before that section, to head over to Hollister. Bummer!
Anyways, they suggested a spot to camp for the night and told me to drop by in the morning for coffee. Will do.
The site was easy to find and just on the river. I actually turned on the wrong road first, which took me a more commercial site lined with a bunch of RVs.
Nope.
At the National Forest Service dispersed camping area, I met two other cyclists: Sara & Johnathan.
Sara had the exact same bike as me, a Surly Cross-check!
They offered me a local IPA, and we talked late into the evening about our adventures. They also have the same tent as me, and told me the story how they lost it the first time camping with the new tent.
Pitched without stakes, they left the site and a massive storm rolled in. Sheltered from the storm at a bar nearby, they decided after midnight to return to the campsite and couldn't find the brand new tent anywhere. After searching the woods, they finally looked out on the lake and saw it bobbing upside down with the jetskis.
Needless to say, their tent was anchored with all available stakes tonight.
And I may be joining their ragbrai team.
Joe