From Washington to Idaho

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Oakesdale Washington to Harrison Idaho 

We loaded up the car and went in search of breakfast. Subway was closed. Coffee shop only had bakery items... so, gas station it was! We got to Oakesdale, unloaded, and we're ready to ride by 8am. It was a nice 68 degrees. In town, we saw a couple of guys that were cycling Tacoma to Wyoming carrying all their gear.  After small conversation, they said we'd be faster and thought they ought to get moving.  After a few curves in the road, we never saw them again!

We took the beautiful state road Wa-27 to Tekoa, where we found a lemonade stand. The kids told us that Tekoa is pronounced Tee-coe (long o, silent a). I gave each of the kids a pocket token. We chatted for a while and moved on. The Palouse to Cascades Trail goes through on a tall trestle bridge.

While waiting in the shade of a grain bin for Lynn to take some pictures, a guy came over to ask where we were riding. We told him our story and route.  He said he is a cyclist and offered an alternative to our route. We took his advice, and it was beautiful.  It was paved, lower trafficked,  less hilly and kept us off US95 longer for a longer time. His suggestion was to take Agency Road.

We arrived at Plummer, grabbed a bite to eat and a huckleberry milkshake from Zips, took it to the Coeur d'Alene Trailhead and had lunch.

The trail is paved with every crack sealed (to prevent arsenic contamination) and in perfect condition.

Wait. What?  https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trail-coeur-d-alenes/history/

We're staying at the Osprey Inn B&B. Heading to Wallace tomorrow... all on trail! 

44.43 miles

1,309 elevation gain 

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/SPW73k060Ab

Relive video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vr63wQJKk86