Now that we have finally ridden all of Going To The Sun road it’s time to head west again towards Vancouver. After some map study last night we have established that there is a gravel road cutting through the woods in our direction of travel. We figured it would be more fun than following the highway, definitely shorter in distance but likely longer in time… but we have a lot of time, so, we that said we packed up and got going. I plotted the route in the phone and GPS just in case. Once we were on the other side of Whitefish traffic thinned out and by the time to turned onto our forestry road we were pretty much alone.
A bit of ‘night before’ road planning
Taking a bit of a shortcut through the woods
Just as the paved road ended we came across a local resident picking up fire wood who confirmed our chosen road would connect on the other side of the forest to the highway. (The map did say to seek local advice for a section of our route)
Bar a few large potholes, the dirt road was pretty good. We deflated our tires to gain more traction and followed the GPS. It would have been tough to find our way without the GPS since only some of the roads were on the map and there were a few intesections that would have left us with uncalculated decisions to make.
Airing down the tires
Back road intersection, non of these other roads were on our map!
We reached a paved forestry road that sped up our travels while still being devoid of cars. The whole trip to Libby which took us about 4 hours we saw a total of 5 cars and a bunch of cows… Now that’s the way to get around!
Bringing the tires back up to pressure
That one might have gotten away!
From there one we were back in the main highway which got busier as we got closer to Coeur D’Alene. A short stop in Bonnera Ferry to pick up an Idaho map and find some info on campsites and we decided to go spend the night near Bayview on the Lake Pend Oreille. Our campsite was in a state park which was used as a Navy submarine base after WWII.
We went for dinner in Bayview which has a big marina and a whole community of boathouses. We enjoyed a sunset dinner at a floating restaurant surrounded by ducks begging for food and kids feeding them French fries!
This is taking boathouse to another level
The boathouse floating restaurant
TA
Well this is cool ! Strange enough I was looking at the map yesterday evening and saw the names of Libby and Coeur d’Alene and Lake Pend Oreille… I was trying to find out which way you would be going as I was sure you would go to Vancouver sooner or later…haha !!
The beaten tracks are often more interesting and more relax but be sure it’s safe !
That Big boathouse is such a beauty ! Strange how they have build it… bit by bit adding this and than that… a little like Lego blocs but with style ha !
Have a nice evening out and see you guys in the next episode !
xxx Mum
Gravel roads, just as you changed for your normal tyres?
Must be quiet and relax riding though with just a cow as wildlife.
Magnificent floating house, not very stylish but plenty of imagination from the builder.
As the poem says: “Heureux qui comme Ulysse, a fait un beau voyage” ….
5 months on the road with clear excitement every day, lucky guys!
Baci