Koocanusa Kruise - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Jersey - CycleBlaze

June 24, 2024

Koocanusa Kruise

Libby to Koocanusa Marina; another road cyclists dream of; a few “take it easy moment(s)”, cute Koocanusa Kabin

Heart 0 Comment 0
Leaving Libby
Heart 2 Comment 0


I have very sketchy Wi-Fi here so I will try to flesh out the day as I can and may finish it tomorrow.

I KT- taped Amber’s shoulder before we left our Libby motel. I used a U-tube video as a guide. Hopefully this will improve both her comfort and her shoulder alignment as it heals. 

Jim and Rich were privileged to ride out of Libby to the east where they caught Champion Haul Road for the first 20 miles or so. This proved to be a fantastic cycle road-good pavement, fairly gentle undulation and no traffic! And a tailwind! We are so blessed!

In the truck, Amber and I drove slowly and stopped frequently for photos and to wait for the guys.

There they are! As we came alongside them, the words to the Eagle song “Take it Easy” came to mind.
Heart 1 Comment 0

The Libby Dam overlook merited a stop. Dams are amazing structures, irregardless of their environmental effects. 

Libby Dam, back
Heart 1 Comment 0
Libby Dam, front
Heart 0 Comment 0
Lake Koocanusa The name is derived from Kootenai, Canada and USA
Heart 1 Comment 0
Rich, at Libby Dam overlook
Heart 2 Comment 0
Us, looking down at Rich
Heart 1 Comment 0
Kootenai river, below the dam
Heart 0 Comment 0


Once we arrived at Lake Koocanusa Marina, Amber and I checked right into our cute cabins for the night. We even fully unpacked the truck before the guys arrived. I am sitting at the bar/restaurant working on the journal since our cabin Wi-Fi is so weak, I was unable to connect.

After lunch the guys wanted to rest so we walked back to the cabin but I needed internet access to work on this some more. About 700 feet up the dirt road past our cottage, facing a building probably occupied by staff, standing in the middle of the road, I found strong coverage. So I am standing in the road, batting away bees and flies as I write this. Tonight we will go back to the bar for dinner and tomorrow Jim and I will ride what is on paper, the longest and most difficult day of the trip, heading to our northernmost destination, Eureka. Now I’ll finish with a few more pics from our day.

Koocanusa cabins
Heart 3 Comment 0
Lake Koocanusa
Heart 4 Comment 0
Cabin interior
Heart 3 Comment 0
Cabin porch
Heart 2 Comment 0
The one really is Lupin
Heart 2 Comment 1
Heart 1 Comment 2
Bill ShaneyfeltMariposa lily

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/64407/browse_photos
Reply to this comment
5 months ago
Genny FoxThanks Bill!
Reply to this comment
5 months ago
Heart 1 Comment 2
Bill ShaneyfeltFleabane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erigeron
Reply to this comment
5 months ago
Genny FoxThanks Bill!
Reply to this comment
5 months ago
Yarrow
Heart 0 Comment 0
Heart 0 Comment 2
Bill ShaneyfeltSomething in family Asteraceae... Possibly great blanketflower. There are dozens of yellow, many petal species in that area.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/77183-Gaillardia-aristata
Reply to this comment
5 months ago
Genny FoxTo Bill ShaneyfeltThanks Bill!
Reply to this comment
5 months ago

Today's ride: 26 miles (42 km)
Total: 382 miles (615 km)

Rate this entry's writing Heart 8
Comment on this entry Comment 1
Janice BranhamThat ride along Lake Koocanusa is gorgeous. We did it going the other way last year. Wonderful to see it again through your pictures. Enjoy the next stage, it's a beaut.
Reply to this comment
5 months ago