{"id":8259,"date":"2013-06-29T18:40:25","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T22:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=8259"},"modified":"2013-08-01T16:49:00","modified_gmt":"2013-08-01T20:49:00","slug":"day-9-saturday-june-29-ione-to-newport-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=8259","title":{"rendered":"Day 9. Saturday, June 29 – Ione to Newport, Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"

We got an early start this morning\"\"<\/a> as we wanted a jump on the 90 degree heat that was forecasted for the day. \u00a0But at 6:30 in the morning it was quite cool, about 58 degrees and no wind.\"\"<\/a> Our course today was on a relatively flat, back country road \"\"<\/a> that followed up the Pend Oreille\u00a0River past river homes; \"\"<\/a> yes, this river flows north<\/em> into Canada. \u00a0We biked through the Kalispel Indian Reservation, sharing the road with white tail deer and chipmunks, but we only have pictures of horses,\"\"<\/a> cows and flowers.\"\"<\/a> The day was taking a while to warm up, but we didn’t mind the overcast skies, \"\"<\/a>as it kept it cooler. \u00a0The sky was looking “interesting” (for lack of a better word), \"\"<\/a> but it made for striking scenery.\"\"<\/a> Not sure if it was because of or in spite of the overcast skies, but\"\"<\/a> we were thoroughly enjoying the ride.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By ten we arrived at the only crossroads that offered refreshments and a break from the saddle. \u00a0Since we had already completed 35 miles, we decided to treat ourselves with a rest stop and pastries. \u00a0The ride across the bridge (to our stop) offered spectacular views down the river.\"\"<\/a> As we crossed back over the bridge to resume our ride, the wind picked up and it began to rain…\"\"<\/a> pour, lightening. \u00a0We made a quick U-turn and quick run back to our previous stop to wait out the storm. \u00a0Arrived in time to be undercover when a thunder rumble rocked the floor of the store we were in. \u00a0It took another half hour for the storm front to pass, so we could continue.<\/p>\n

When we pushed off again, it was still sprinkling but a comfortable mid-60’s, so we continued to enjoy ride, despite the gently rolling hills that threatened our potential double digit average for the first time since we began. \u00a0The rain didn’t last and the fields took on a healthy glow.\"\"<\/a> We shed our rain jackets as the temps kissed 70 degrees\"\"<\/a> and dropped again as the rain threatened, it was definitely a duckie kind of day.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Our goal was to get to our destination before the skies opened for a second time. \u00a0Unfortunately, we were two miles short of making it happen. \u00a0We unceremoniously crossed into Idaho and back into Washington in pouring rain, but we were able to check into our hotel before 1:30 and rest for the rest of the afternoon. \u00a0By dinnertime, the sun had come out and our stroll to dinner was lined with flowers.\"\"<\/a> Nothing like a Huge plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes \"\"<\/a>to cure what ale’s ya’, eh!. \u00a0Not a bad reward after 54 miles.\n\t\t