Northern Apex

I got to Bren's place last night about 10 after a harrowing ride through a mountain pass about 30 miles north of Payette. There was a travel advisory out for that region of the state, and I must say the roads were largely empty - which was great for me as sustained 50 MPH winds coming from my right side were trying their best to push me into the opposing lane. The police pulled me over and told me not to travel, there were cars and trucks pulled of the road waiting out the storm - but when you're on a bike, there really isn't much choice but to keep moving.

Let me set this up for you - I'm approaching from the north on interstate 95 after some phenomenal riding through the Snake River canyon. I can see these raging thunderstorms with almost constant lightning strikes visible. To add to the view, the sun is setting and all the smoke in the air from the wildfires makes the sky itself look like it is on fire - I will post photos when I get them developed. The wind is whipping, mostly west to east, at 40 to 50 MPH according to Idaho's finest when they pull me over. The stage is set for an interesting time and the streets are deserted in the little towns I pass through approaching the storm. The final element added to the surreal picture was a huge full moon appearing on the horizon to the left, fat and orange like a fall pumpkin, like a moon from another world.

As I head into the pass the rain starts, in torrents and sheets and rivers, and with the wind it feels like I am riding through a washing machine. The lightning strikes are close now and the landscape goes from night to day a dozen times in a minute. At one point the lightning reveals a small deer beside the road that looks about as dazed by nature's onslaught as I was, and the water runs down the middle of the road and across the road in instant streams, inches deep. I am, of course, grinning like a maniac inside my helmet, and singing at the top of my lungs . . . . .

Once I got through the worst of it, I gave Bren a call and told her to leave the light on, I was coming in . . . what a ride! Anyways, safe in Idaho, I slept in and am doing laundry while Lora, Bren and Michael are all busy working. I'll post more - and post pictures to go with the audio posts - over the next few days. And in case anyone hasn't heard, I'm officially a grandfather now! Trevor and Megan are the proud parents of a 7 pound 4 ounce daughter, Aubrey Elizabeth. Great job!