To Cottonwood BLM Campground

September 29, 2007

We have some fierce winds rip through the valley overnight, but not much rain. In the morning the wind has calmed down but the sky is cloudy. We eat some cereal, fill up the fuel bottle on our way out of town and head south for Challis.

Our plan is to ride to Stanley in three days instead of two. We are following the Salmon River upstream gradually climbing to Stanley at over 6000 feet. The valley is beautiful, many cottonwood trees have turned and contrast nicely with the rock and sagebrush.

It's nice to smell sagebrush again.

Too bad there is no sun to make the colors pop today. Instead, we have a pretty strong, cold, tailwind. Must have been our toast "to the wind" with last night's beer.

We stop at a private campground a little after noon but can't find anyone around. A sign indicates the tent sites are $20, a bit steep we think. So, we ride another 12 km to a BLM campground that is beautifully situated along the Salmon River. We pitch our tent in a dense stand of cottonwood trees to get some protection from the wind. Patrick is not feeling well today, a slight fever and headache, might be a cold coming on.

Once we are settled the weather improves, we have some sun and the wind calms down. Red meat sauce spaghetti for dinner.