Final day of the motorcycle leg. Tina’s done a great job organizing everything and cleaned our laundry last night. She got our breakfast this morning, and I think her health is slowly returning. Today’s mission: St. Regis to Lewiston for a rental car, then Orofino to drop off the motorcycle, then Spokane for our flight home.

We started at the Super 8 in St. Regis, got our gear organized and packed on the bike, then began the slog to Lewiston. The route was mostly Interstate 90 from St. Regis to Coeur d’Alene, up through a beautiful pass that we’d ridden through yesterday in that intense downpour. Now we could actually see what we’d missed.

We rolled into Coeur d’Alene planning to grab coffee at McDonald’s, but the deeper we got into town, we realized there was a street fair consuming 8 or 10 city blocks. Main street was completely closed off. So we parked the bike and walked around for a bit, stopped for a bagel and coffee, and marveled at what a lovely setting for a town on such a beautiful day. Pure luck stumbling onto that – felt blessed. Tina picked up a pair of earrings, then we got back on the bike and headed south toward Lewiston.

Can’t remember the highway name, but it was more state highway than interstate. Traffic was heavy, and it was clear we’d get rained on at some point, but we started riding through these extensive wheat fields. Everywhere you looked – rolling hills and wheat, some recently harvested, the aroma of fresh grain filling the air. We were both marveling at it.

Into Lewiston where we picked up the rental car, grabbed Chinese lunch, then drove to Orofino to drop off the bike. Beautiful drive – Tina got out front in the rental car but I eventually caught up. We rolled into Orofino and checked out the public library, where we met Daniel and two other staff who were incredibly friendly and helpful. They told us the dates I’ll be back in September coincide with the Orofino annual fair. Hospitable people who enjoyed hearing us compliment their nice library.

Then up to Scott’s house via a very long gravel driveway to find a safe place to park the motorcycle for a few weeks before I can return and complete the adventure.

From Orofino we backtracked to Lewiston to get on the highway to Spokane. Stopped midway for food and ended up asking two young guys with their street rods where we could find a pharmacy for more TheraFlu. They were both incredibly helpful, offering to call around to see which stores were open.

Finally onto Spokane – driving in the dark, some difficulty finding the hotel, but otherwise uneventful. Flight back to Atlanta the next morning, then back to Rome Saturday around 9 PM. Dogs in fine form. Definitely good to be home. Grateful for 4500 plus safe miles with good company.

Stats

• Highlight : Stumbling onto Coeur d’Alene street fair
• Miles : ~400 (final motorcycle miles of this leg)
• Hours : Full travel day
• Cost : Rental car, flights home

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