Sandpoint, ID to Heron, MT 43 Miles, May 27

Today's ride felt so good after a day of rest. We left Sandpoint at 5:15 AM with a great tail wind. But, after about a mile the route didn't seem right. Since we are three directionally challenged travelers we were not above asking for directions from another early riser who was working in his front yard.

Yep, we were headed in the wrong direction. Of course we'd have to make it up going into a head wind. By 5:30 AM we were back at the church for the real start. We had a fairly easy ride along the river. But, along scenic Highway 200 we had more cars, trucks and even trains than we are used to. But, after they pass it is quiet. We even saw Osprey, huge birds who build their nests in the very tops of trees. They even like to build their homes on the top of utility poles. So the power companies have installed platforms on the tops of the poles which will keep the birds safe.
A Park Ranger told us that oftentimes after the Osprey go through the work of building the nests, the Eagles run them out and take over the nest.

We took a short detour into Hope and East Hope, hoping for coffee. They were open for voting but not for coffee. A few miles later we stopped in Clark Fork to eat at Lucy's Deli (Lucy was the name of their Jack Russell Terrier). Lucy made excellent chili, but only takes cash, no plastic.

We had time to browse the town so we stopped at Sweet's Bicycles and Marbles. Pam found a sun hat like mine, Carol found a cargo net like Pam's. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I wanted to buy a Park Tool toilet paper holder, but I wasn't willing to add to my load. We pumped up our tires with the shop pump, then the owner took our picture to add to his collection of touring cyclists and we were back on route.

We were headed to the Amber Bear Inn. We had to turn off onto a hilly dirt road for 3/4 of a mile into the woods. Where was Pam leading us this time? When we arrived we had to scrape our jaws off the ground. Mike and Nancy retired from the corporate world and built a 10,000 square foot B and B situated in the middle of a 400 acre wildlife sanctuary. They were closed Tuesday and gave us the run of the place. They were so generous to us in every way.

Because they do not allow hunting on this property the elk and deer graze on their front yard and swim in the pond morning and evening. The Osprey were diving for fish in the pond. The Canada Geese were resting at the edge of the water. They also told us, when the snow melts, the bear will come over the mountain and sit in the back yard by the creek. Mike and Nancy also have a pet llama which hangs out with the wild animals. They all seemed to get along beautifully.

We had huge windows to look out in every direction and we were always making alerts when we saw an animal. "There's an elk! A deer! Over there! Where? Grab the binoculars, grab the camera. Pam even spotted a killdeer and her eggs in a nest on the ground where the elks graze. Mike and Nancy said they had never even seen a killdeer before. Pam again lives up to "Eagle Eye". Mike and Nancy also have a beautiful restaurant and they treated us to whatever we wanted off the menu: salmon, vegetables, salad, all elegantly served on china with silver. Sure beats slurping peanut butter off of plastic baggies. Or trying to scrape it out of the jar with a too short plastic knife.

We tore ourselves away from the huge windows so we could go to bed to get ready for our 5:30 AM start. I was told Montana has the most beautiful night sky. I don't believe I will ever get to see it, because how will I ever get to stay up late enough for it to be dark while we are in Montana?