Day 8, June 22, 2015, Ontario, OR to Boise, OR, 63 miles and 2100 feet of climbing.  Went East out of the motel onto Route 30/Oregon Trail and within ¼ mile we were into Idaho, the 2^nd State of our seven State adventure.  Oregon treated me very well.  From the Pacific Ocean coast, into the mountains, and onto the high desert, it was all memorable.  Her weather could not have been nicer and her roads were made for cycling.  I hope to come back someday!  Entering Idaho was a reminder that this is a cross country tour and that many new discoveries remain to be made.  Most of the day was spent traveling through agricultural areas.  Everything out here has to be irrigated.  If a field is not irrigated it is parched and brown.  I saw some beautiful horses, lots of cattle and even a few bison.  Crops consisted of hay, wheat, corn, potatoes, beans, squash, garlic and others I could not identify.  It was not a very taxing ride and I chose to hang back and take it easy.  We have ridden in excess of 650 mile in the past 9 days and I feel it.  Tomorrow is a much needed rest day and I am looking forward to it.  Perhaps I will get out for a ride around downtown Boise, take a nap (or two), read some newspapers and drink a few leisurely cups of espresso :)

 

 

Enterig Idaho with Ricard. At somewhere north of 78 years old he is the oldest rider on the tour.  He grew up in E. Lansing, lives in San Francisco and has a summer home in Port Sanilac, MI.  He is a strong rider and like my friend and former neigbor Bob Hayse, he is a true inspiration!!

 

Heading into Idaho farm country under a rising sun.

 

Irrigated wheat field.  The furrows you see are small irrigation ditches that have water diverted into them periodically.

 

Heading towards Boise.

 

Idaho State Capital building.