Riding the Rails

The website says that we would be on, ”a four seated, pedal powered, railroad bicycle along the beautiful, scenic Pend Oreille River in Ione, WA. … ride south through scenic pastureland then north, up to the impressive Box Canyon Trestle. A round trip of 12 miles.” How could you not want to hit the rails and explore the path of the old Iron Horse!

We loaded into our neighbor’s car at about 6:45 AM and followed Hwy. 41 up through Rathdrum to Newport, WA where we veered left and found our way up to Ione, WA. In Ione we followed the signs to the Lions Rail Riders depot, checked in, got a stamp (which we all hid under our gloves), and proceeded to our assigned Rail Rider, good old #10.

Several very nice Lions Club members helped to adjust the seats on the Rail Rider and then explained the rules of the rails. The first thing I noticed is that if you are going to be a Lions Club Rail Rider, it is mandatory that you are no more than five feet tall. Anyone over five feet would not fit in the Rail Rider comfortably and so they could not be a true Rail Rider. 

Steve and I adjusted the seats as far back as possible. When we peddled, our knees brushed our noses. With no other options, we tightened our seatbelts and waited patiently for the nine Rail Riders in front of us to ready their troops and heed the signal to move out!

The disconnected train slowly moved forward. Suddenly an arm went up from the lead Rail Rider followed by a rising of an arm in all nine cars in front of us. This meant we were stopping and the brake team of Linda and Jodi applied the brakes.  Nothing happened and we bumped into the car in front of us. Lesson learned! We have no brakes or very little braking ability. Jodi and Linda assessed the situation and soon, whenever we saw the domino of stop arms, they would hit the brakes and start warning the car in front of us that we were going to bump them and to be prepared.

This on-the-job training took place several times within the first quarter mile of the trip and soon we had our shouts of “watch out for the bump” down pat. After the first half mile, things started working out and we were peddling a bit faster. Steve and my knees moved past our nose at an increasing rate, touches came about every other stroke. This worked well to catch the small drops of snot that appeared on the tips of our noses, due to the extreme cold of the morning air. As speed picked up, the wind chill grew. We could look down the tracks and see that our path entered the sun and we might soon be warm again. The domino hands went up and we bumped to a stop just before the rails crossed the highway.

There was a bit of action at the front of our pack. One of the Rail Rider teams was pulling out of the ride. Lions Club members lifted the Rail Rider off the tracks and the four stokers walked slowly and rather painfully to a parked car. Our theory was that, because of their height, they probably had pummeled their noses and had to tap out.

The highway crossing lights started flashing and we received the signal to continue. We pumped our way across the pavement and were once again on our way.

For the next twenty minutes, we moved like a well-oiled machine. The team had learned to keep a significant distance between the Rail Rider in front of us and this was just fine since we were on Rider #10 and no one was behind us. Both Steve and I took advantage of being the tail of the train by stopping and using a nearby tree as a rest area.

Back on the seats and speeding down the rails we looked ahead and spotted raised hands ahead. A Rail Rider had jumped the rails. Everything was ok, and the riders pulled off the side and allowed everyone to pass. They then rearranged the three peddlers so that two riders were in the front seats and one in the rear seat. This seemed to do the trick and everyone rode on.

At about three miles the Rail Riders all stopped at the Box Canyon Dam overlook. Each Rider was spun around and headed back along the tracks. The pack started moving and we sped back along the rails. Linda’s sports watch said we were moving at a seven-minute mile which calculates out to be about eight miles an hour. We were flying!

Back at the depot we dismounted our machine and climbed into our car. Our workout was over (weirdly enough, the ride was only a total of 6 miles rather than 12) and so we drove to Metaline Falls where we enjoyed a great brunch at Cathy’s Café.

Steve drove us to a rest area where there was a hiking trail that led up Sweet Creek. On this hike, we were able to see two very pretty waterfalls. We hiked up and back, loaded into the car and beat-feet back home. It was a great adventure, the weather was near perfect (except for the 15-minute cloudburst while we drove home) and we now have scratched our itch to ride the rails.

The Post Post

It’s Tuesday and the sun is out, they say it is about 70 degrees out there today.  I got up and made coffee, it took me a bit to remember where everything was. Linda went out for a run, Kobi found his spot over by the entertainment bar.

We had several things to get done today. I wanted to get the water out of the camper and to put bleach in it to disinfect the tanks and hoses. Check. We needed to go to the bank and the store. Check.  We wanted to unload the trailer and start to put stuff away. Check. Finally we took the trailer over to the place where I bought it to get the six month check-up completed.  Check.

I figured out how much we spent in diesel fuel to get down there ($911.20) and how much we spent coming back ($1146.18). Our total was about $2057.38 for the 6204 miles we drove.  I have the costs for tolls ($260.29 for 31 stops), truck insurance, tourists fees, policia payoffs and damages incurred, but that only come to about another $1000.00. Is it less expensive to drive? No I don’t think so. Are we glad we did it?  Yes, definitely.  Will we drive again?  Probably not, been there, done that.

It is a bit strange coming home to the place after being gone since November 23.  We drove directly into Coeur d’Alene and stopped at Linda’s parents place.  They were so relieved to see her. We could see it in their eyes.

The trip from Moab to Coeur d’Alene was uneventful.  The only thing to report is a bad report about the KOA in Dillon.  The place was old and well used and the shower areas were dirty.  I had more complaints then Linda, but for $5 more we could have had big clean showers at the other RV campground in town.

The weather was great and we sailed over the Utah and Montana highways. As we got closer to home we started talking about the trip and what we thought.  Both of us are of the same mind, we loved it and think we are going to miss everything about traveling, Mexico, Melaque, and the Big Adventure. 

The Days Go By

Linda is outside sleeping in the sun, so I thought I would do a bit of catching up on the blog.  We are still enjoying out spot at Goose Island.  It is a great location to sit and watch people come and go.  The movement of campers’ makes our days go a bit faster because we can watch them set up and tear down; or drive around trying to get a spot.

We needed a few groceries yesterday so after Linda did her 11 mile run and Kobi and I met her at about 6 miles, we rode into Moab and went shopping.  The place was jumping and everyone we talked to said that it had been that way since February.  This week is spring break and next week the big Jeep rally starts, so they all were preparing for a long season.

Shopping was our first order of business and we looked in about a dozen shops but came away with nothing.  Mexico has made it hard, things there were very affordable. T-shirts were $10 whereas here they are $21. We ate lunch and it cost us $23 for a burger and a wrap.  In Melaque we were spending $11 and getting stuffed.  Guess we just need more time to adjust.

Nothing caught our eye in the gift department so we moved on the super market. Keep in mind that we were on bikes so our selections had to fit in our packs or could be strapped to the back rack.  We bought the necessities and filled the two packs.  I bought two gallons of water and strapped it onto my rack in the back.  As we rode back home Linda stopped and got a gallon of water for Kobi.  We definitely looked a little strange riding our old Mt. bikes with water strapped on back and packs a bulging.

When we got home we unpacked and fell asleep in our chairs.  I guess we were a bit tired.

End of the trail, the largest natural bridge in Utah.

Today we rode our bikes along the highway to the starting point of the Negro Bill Hiking Trail.  We locked the bikes and helmets to a sign post and then hiked the 4.5 mile trail to the Morning Glory Bridge.  The day was perfect for hiking, high clouds and a bit of blue sky.  We hiked very briskly and when we arrived at the bridge there were only one couple there.  It was very quiet so I took some photos and we drank some water. 

We turned around and made our way out.  As we did we passed probably 30 or so hikers the journey into the bridge.  Many families with kids and a large number of hikers with dogs were on their way in.  We were glad we had left Kobi at camp; he probably would have been a pain in the butt with all the dogs and people to distract him.

Back at the bikes we drank some water and then rode home.  When we got home we unpacked and fell asleep in our chairs.  I guess we were a bit tired, again.

Morning Glory Bridge

Goose Island

We made it to Goose Island and got a good spot. We met a German couple who have been climbing in Arches Park, they let us have the spot and will possibly be back tonight to share it. We said we had lots of room and all they need is a spot for their car. They will spend the night and leave in the morning.

Arches and Aches

We left Beaver in a flurry of snow and goose bumps. Roads were clear and the sun was bright. The next few hours wound us up and over a pass and then dropped us into the area North of Moab. We kept in communication with the Anderson's bus via phone but coverage was spotty at best.

The caravan pulled into Slick Rock RV in Moab in a mood of skepticism. As we traveled Linda read the web reviews of the place and they were not good, in fact they were down right terrible. Most of then told of the run down nature of all the facilities. The rest spoke of the lack of cleaning of said facilities.  We had reserved for two nights so we felt we would give it a shot.

They assigned us two sites together and we parked and got set up.  Exploration showed that the place was run down but they had cleaned the bathrooms so all was good for us. The landscape around the camper was red dirt, there was not a blade of grass to be found. The place would do for our two days.

We had dinner with the Anderson's and made plans for the next day.  The troupes would squeeze into Earl's tow car and we would explore Arches National Park,Tuesday.  With plans set we all faded off to bed.
Tuesday we got up and ate breakfast, hitting the road about 8:00 AM.

Our one day wind tour of the park started at the visitors center where Julia got all the information needed to become a Jr. Ranger. Then we picked up a park map an made the decision to drive into the park to the Delicate Arch and hike their first.

Back in the car and on the road we got our first taste of the beauty of this natural wonder.  I can't even explain how cool the rock formations are, I could never do them justice.  We looked about as we drove and got a good feel for the area.  Many questions were formulated, but the answers would have to wait until we returned to the visitors center at the end of the day.

Earl's Saturn seats 7 Mexican style.

At the Visitors Center we had made the decision to drive to the Delicate Arch first so that we could all do that hike first.  That is where we unloaded and that is where we stared our first very windy hike of the day.  The trail was dotted with hikers everywhere.  This would not be an experience in the solitude of these mighty arches, we would be sharing the experience with many visitors.

Delicate Arch is a round trip of about 3 miles, the trail starts out flat, gains some serious elevation and then levels out at the arch its self.  Linda and I led the way and when we crested the last bit of hike we were hit with a blast of wind that could almost knock you down.  The wind rushed over the rock face and struck you hard as you came out into the open.  However, once you climbed over the face and moved along the bowl of the area the wind was much more manageable.

Linda hiked to the arch first and I took some pictures, then she returned and I climbed out to the famous photo spot of Delicate Arch.  We were impressed that people were courteous and would wait in the distance allowing you to get a photo of the arch with no one in the shot.  The wind prevented many hikers from going directly to the arch. It took a bit of nerve to climb the short distance to the area where the wind was blocked, so we were able to get a few good shots.

The Anderson’s arrived on the ridge and we took photos of the bunch. Earl had made the hike up the steep hills and was very excited to see the arch. Once we rested and took a bunch of pictures we returned to the car.  The hike back was down some steep slick rock and by the time we were back to the start we had some sore knees and feet.  The wind was blowing sand and grit around the entire hike so all of us could feel the grit on our bodies.

We then drove out further into the park.  We passed the Fiery Furnace area and ended up turning around at the Devils Garden Trail head. Then we returned and stopped at Sand Dune Arch where we hiked the short distance and took some photos.  Off in the distance was Broken Arch but the wind kept us close to the car and all we got were some distant pictures of the arch.

Back in the car we stopped at several viewpoints including the Fiery Furnace but we only took pictures. Our final hike was into the Double Arch where half the group climbed and the rest of us watched.  This turned out to be Julia’s favorite area because she got to climb up to the area directly under the two arches.

As the others climbed Earl, Lorrain and I stayed down and greeted people as they came up the trail.  Earl met some hikers from the area where he fishes and within a few minutes had discovered a catering outfit that could possibly take care of the food for their daughter’s upcoming wedding.  Leave it to Earl to be in Utah, in a National Park, at the base of an arch making connections and working angles to get his little girl hitched on a dock in Washington.

Linda ducks out of the wind at Delicate Arch.

We loaded up and on our way out, we took pictures of the Cove of Caves and Balanced Rock. Then we returned to the Visitors Center where Julia watched the movie about the park as Mike and I hakey sacked with two guys in front of the building. We stopped hacking long enough for Mike to watch Julia get her Jr. Ranger badge then we squeezed back into the car and returned to Slick Rock RV.

That evening we had pizza delivered and watched a NIT semifinal basketball game on TV. Then we went to bed and the rain started.

Rayelle, Mike and Julia approach Delicate Arch.

Mike Anderson at Delicate Arch.

Linda at Sand Dune Arch.

Happy dance under the arch.

Linda photo-bombs my shot of the distant arch.

Fiery Furnace area.

Double Arch

Cove of Caves

Balanced Rock

Park Avenue, hummmmmm.

Lorraine and Earl at Park Avenue.

Shades of Gray

Woke up this morning to temperatures in the 30's, snow on the ground and an urge to drive south as fast as we can.
 

Frosty greets the Anderson's when they arrive in Beaver.

Yesterday evening we spent talking and laughing with the Anderson clan in their 30 RV.  The heaters have been turned on in every camper, trailer, motorhome, and land yacht parked in the KOA. You see doors open and then people scurry over to the bathrooms and disappear only to reappear in a few minutes scurrying back to their warm little homes.

Grammy and Gram pa provided dinner for the group of seven.  Linda tried to order pizza from Beaver's finest pizza delivery joint but they were closed. We pitched in some cut up vegetables and joined the banquet.

Today's plan is to drive to Moab and explore there for a couple days.  Hopefully the ice will be off the highway by the time we leave Beaver.

Our camper from the Anderson's RV.

No More Flip Flops!

At 6:00 AM the sky was still dark but the temperatures were very comfortable so Linda and I climbed out of the camper in our flip flops and shorts and we headed up the road. The balmy 74 degrees that was displayed on the truck thermometer gave us no indication that the weather might be changing.

We drove Arizona Hwy 95 to Needles and turned north to Vegas via California Hwy 95. When we hit Vegas we text-ed Rayelle Anderson to see if they were there and everything was going OK.  She replied right away that all was well and that they would see us in Moab the next day.  We continued on Text-ing and driving.

As we moved further up the wind picked up and we could see a definite weather front looming far to the west.  We turned north east, this put the wind behind along with the approaching weather front.  It was very cool to be driving along with sun to our right and dark ominous clouds to our left.

We wound through the road construction around the Virgin River area and headed up over a pass.  When the front hit us, it hit us!  The temperature dropped from 61 degrees on the trucks thermometer to 31 degrees in less than ten minutes.   Snow moved in and we knew that we were no longer in Mexico, for sure!

Our camp site was at the Beaver KOA in Beaver Utah.  We pulled in and got set up.  Not 15 minutes later the Anderson's text-ed us and told us that they were heading our way.  They had cancled their spot in Cedar City and were coming to this KOA. They will arrive in about and hour and I'll probably post again after they get set up.

Easy Going

The desert this morning was beautiful.  Linda said that the sky at sunrise was clear and the sun tossed rays of light over the harsh landscape.  She ran with the dog as I woke myself up by making coffee and tea for the two of us.

Packing was easy, we are in our traveling mode and it only takes a few minutes to ready the camper and get things put away.  Our departure time was 8:55 AM and we drove up to Lake Havasu State Park and ended the driving day at 3:00 PM.   We debated about going on but we made the right choice by staying.

The park was packed and when we pulled in there was a sign saying that the campground was full. I asked the ranger girl if she knew of other camping areas up the road and she told us about a couple that might be open.  Then she said that there was overflow camping in the old camp area that was now a parking lot.  She said we could give it a look and if we decide to stay, just come up and pay later.

We found a spot and made the decision to call it a day.  It wasn’t the most scenic spot, just a parking lot. At $20 it would do for the night.

There were showers and a bathroom nearby and this proved to make the spot worth the dollars paid.  We both took long hot showers and agreed that they were some of the best showers we had had since we left home.

We ate dinner, played cribbage, mapped out our drive tomorrow, played on the internet, checked Facebook talked to Larry and Maggie and then called it a night. Tomorrow we are continuing north and we should be in Beaver by early afternoon.  (Yes you can giggle that. I’ve been having fun with that name myself!)

Crossing Back

When we crossed the border in early December we had been kidding about Night Line doing a segment dealing with two educators from Idaho going to Mexico but only one returned.  It didn’t happen and we are back in the US, together and stronger than ever.

 

The camper caravan pulled out of Bahia de Kino at 6:37 AM and crossed the border into the US at 1:30 PM.  Pretty darned good if you ask me.  No wrong turns, no unexpected delays and only two bathroom stops; that was a great way to end the Mexico part of our adventure.

During the return to the border crossing we had three things that might have slowed us down.  First we had to travel through the outskirts of Hermosillo, which we did with no problems.  Then we had to stop at a very large complex in the middle of nowhere and turn in our vehicle travel permits. This was accomplished after some wrong way driving, as directed by the employee in charge.  I am sure the lady coming on the freeway south was a bit surprised to see two trucks going the opposite direction to get to the correct road for the sticker exchange. Finally we had to turn in our tourist cards at a stop on the opposite side of the highway.  We played Frogger and made our way across traffic, making the final exchange of paperwork with no slip-ups.

Crossing the border was another nonevent.  We stopped at the border guards station and he asked us where we were coming from, how long were we there and what did we bring back with us.  I answered the questions and he motioned us on through.  That’s it! No questions about Kobi. Nothing about food products. No inquiries about anything. I had no chance to say anything that would cause Linda to gasp, none at all!

We drove on to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where we hugged Larry and Maggie, said our good byes and thanked them for being such great guides.  Half our adventure was in Mexico and we have completed it!

Larry and Maggie drove on to Ajo and possibly beyond, Linda and I found a spot at the Twin Peaks Campground and settled in.  Linda said “It’s kind of like we have come full circle. We set off for our adventure from this exact campground and now we have returned.”  Our adventure is not yet over but we are leaving Mexico behind.  We both know it was time to leave that country but we will definitely return. Maybe not in the camper, but we will be back again later this year!