March 25-26: To Idaho I Go
What better way to spend spring break than on a mini road trip through the mountains of Idaho? After a scenic ride along the Gorge and through several national forests to Boise yesterday, I enjoyed a relaxing evening with my sister and her husband before heading north and east today along a winding river and through snow-covered passes.
Traveling east on Interstate 84 yesterday, the air was cool and crisp, and a layer of wispy white fog had settled like a blanket just above the silver-blue waters of the Columbia River to my left. The sparkling waters created beautiful mirror images of the jagged brown cliffs rising from the waters and trees planted along the banks.
Making my way up through the Umatilla National Forest into La Grande the misty river views were replaced with glorious sun-drenched panoramas of snow-covered mountains and evergreen trees. Red and brown barns on honey-colored fields underneath towering ice-capped peaks provided beautiful pops of color along the way.
After a restful evening with my sister and her husband, I set my sights today on a delightful escapade through the Boise National Forest towards Granjean. Starting off on highway 55 north, I barreled up and over a variety of broad-sweeping curves along the bases of dry, brown, sparsely covered foothills edged with yellow colored grass as I made my way towards the mountains.
I had ridden through this area several months ago during a rash of forest fires and been unable to see much of the landscape around me. So, I was absolutely delighted when the road joined the Payette River near Horseshoe Bend, providing me with one stunning view after another of rushing white water rippling over rocks.
Heading east on the Banks-Lowman Road at Banks, I gained elevation while continuing along the Payette. The stunning river views only became more impressive as I rode over Grimes Pass and the churning waters worked their way through snow-covered banks underneath vibrant white covered mountain tops.
A red fox darted through the snow to my right, his red fur and black tipped feet and ears standing in stark contrast to the white icy ground as he glanced at me before running into the evergreens.
Keeping an eye on the road for patches of ice, I made it almost all the way to Stanley on highway 21 before coming to a stop near Grandjean when I encountered a snowplow and barrier blocking the way along with a sign announcing, “State Law – Road Closed.”
Turning around, I headed back to my sister’s house, leaning into the curves, luxuriating in the feel of the sun on my back, and thinking of how fortunate I was to be traveling through such a scenic part of the country.
