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Deane, Norm, and Kay's Motorcycle / RV Trip to Northern Canada and Alaska | |
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August 12, Cokeville, WY to Salmon ID - 400 Miles |
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Today's goal was to meet Deane's brother Dave and continue on to Salmon, Idaho. Dave lives in Boise, Idaho and is another of the Crawforth brothers who enjoy motorcycle traveling, and was to ride along with Deane, Norm, and Kay for a couple of days. We met Dave in the little town of Arco, Idaho, and had a "Atomic Hamburger" in this town close to the U.S. nuclear development and training site well known for Atomic Submarines. Arco was also the first U.S. town to have its power supplied by a nuclear power plant - way back in the 1950's. Deane had wanted to stop in the town of Salmon because he remembered that Salmon has been a great vacation destination for Idahoans for many years, and the best place in Idaho to catch Salmon fish in season. Our ride from Arco to Salmon ran along very green fertile valleys, with very dry and very rugged hills on either side. This is typical Idaho in that area - with water from rivers and streams, crops and grazing spring up easily. So that part of the ride was very pleasant, and we reached Salmon in time to have an excellent dinner in the little town. Then, Wow! - Deane almost hit a deer with the Gold Wing! Or more accurately, a doe deer almost got herself hit when she jumped out right in front of the motorcycle. We were in the town of Salmon, and Deane and Dave went to get gas for the motorcycles just after dark. The gas station was less than a quarter of a mile away, in town, and after getting gas we started back to the motel. This was in town, mind you, but apparently the doe wanted to get to the river for water, and river runs right through town. She jumped out just as I came by, maybe 30 feet in front of the motorcycle, and I first saw her as she was getting highlighted with my headlights. She was a beautiful buckskin color, and large for a doe. Fortunately, I practice "emergency stops" with my motorcycles, and everything came automatically - throttle, clutch, front brake, rear brake. I slowed fast enough that the doe made it across the road. She wasn't hurt; I wasn't hurt; she was happy; I was happy. It did make my heart go pitty-pat, though. You may have wondered how the motorcyclists Deane and Norm are doing with the motor home driver, Kay. We have settled into a pattern where Deane and Norm go ahead, riding the speeds they want and having fun with riding curves, while Kay independently goes at her speed as limited by hills, sharp curves and so forth. Deane and Norm then wait periodically to see that Kay is coming along fine. It is working fine so far. |
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