Week 3 Overview & Highlights

Route Overview:  We sadly had to leave Katy, Ethan and Teddy in Spokane Valley. We rode the Centennial trail through Post Falls Id and connected with the bike path that follows US 95 N to Athol. We took Glagstone Rd Nw, meandering along the Pend Orelle river to Sandpoint. We took ID 200 to Hope where we stayed with WS hosts Tim and Debbie. At Clark Fork we got on the US Cycle rte 10. Headed N on Bull River rd (Mt 56) to US 2 and headed east to Kalispell. 

Highlights: We arrived in Spokane in the middle of Hoops Fest, the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the world. Trying to push our bikes through the crowded streets and taking so many detours, we gave up on seeing much of Spokane. We stayed with WS host Katy, Ethan, and Teddy. We shared our many stories (their craziest was Ethan doing a 5 day bike race, truly hammering his body). We talked about life and philosophy, we partook in their whole food plant based diet for 4 meals. They are our kids' ages, so we felt a kind of bond with them. Teddy, their son, is a little older than Miles. He has so much energy, is very curious, and loves to talk. We got to play grandparents for a couple days. Now we miss Miles even more (we miss all the grandkids very much).

We are out of Washington. Riding along we passed a Habitat for Humanity Restore. Bliss went in and talked to them about our trip. I found out that the food pantry in Athol, where we were heading is only open on Tuesdays from 9 am to 3 pm. So we hustled to get there by 2:30. We decided to give them the $100 bill that was given to us by a lady in Moses Lake. It was so nice to talk to the ladies that ran the place. Of course we got hugs.

The bridge to Sandpoint had the ped/bike path closed off for construction. There was an electric sign saying that we needed to use a free shuttle. As we were contemplating figuring out the bus or just riding on the shoulder of the busy road we heard a honk behind us. The bus was right there in a nearby parking lot. We used the wheel chair lift to get the bikes in the back of the bus and we were off. In Sandpoint we rode our bikes on the path along the river where we kayaked last year, very nostalgic. 

Stayed with WS hosts Tim and Debbie in Hope, at their beautiful home on 5 acres. It was like a fancy lodge and we had the downstairs to ourselves. Delicious dinner and breakfast… Lemon bars and cinnamon rolls. Robert also got to watch the 2nd half of the USA soccer match. Tim is a master woodworker and he showed us his projects and workshop. 83 and 80 years old and they still ski 3-4 times a week in the winter. They don’t cycle, but were told about WS and thought it would be a great idea to host (their kids think they’re crazy). 

One of Tim's beautiful chairs made out of scrap wood. I'm in love!

Stopped at Kootenai Falls and hiked to the suspension bridge over the river and to the falls. The power of the river and falls are awe inspiring. This is probably the first real touristy thing we’ve done so far. It was well worth the time and extra walking, so beautiful.