Now Boondocking by the waters of the Palisades Reservoir, ID

A bit over 3 hours of driving led us from Clark Canyon Reservoir in Montana to Palisades Reservoir, Idaho.  The reservoir actually spans the border between Idaho and Wyoming (barely).

So yes, we're continuing to make slow progress towards Colorado.

It was raining when we got to the previously planned destination of Alpine North Loop Campground run by the USFS.  Though we did find a spot, it was designated a "two RV spot" and they wanted $40 for basically dry camping.  Nope.  Also, it had crappy speeds for cellular internet access.

We continued onto a spot listed on iOverlander and found ourselves a nice spot close to the waters of the Palisades Reservoir next to an existing fire ring.  While I'm pretty sure the water levels won't be suddenly rising in this age of declining water levels everywhere; I'll be keeping a close eye on the water level as we're pretty close to it.

We're basically on a small spit of land, on which part of the small airport near Alpine Junction is located.  There's good cellular internet here and not too many other campers.

Bonus: Apparently, this is a popular area for American White Pelicans, as there's lots of them nearby and in the air around us:

The rain stopped as we selected the site and the sun would occasionally peek through the mostly cloudy skies throughout the afternoon.

Here's a video of the pelicans s flying about the area, sorry for the dust spots on the telephoto lens.

We had a pretty good sunset tonight:

Now in Montana, after a day's riding in Canada

 Jun 01, Thursday

Martha and I rode Scarlett, my 2014 Ural Patrol across the border into Canada at the Eastport/Kings Gate border crossing.  We rode on Route 3A along the Kootenay Lake, enjoying the views.

Here's one of several small harbors along the lake:

We made it to The Glass House, a roadside tourist attraction.  The builder had been a funeral director who collected enough spent bottles of embalming fluid over the years to eventually build himself a house made out of said bottles!

More info on the castle-themed house here: LINK

Next, we drove over the 5km or so from the Kootenay Ferry's eastern embarkation point to a lighthouse for which Martha had spotted signage.

It was a good find.  We had access to the top of the lighthouse and the outside balcony.  Here's a pano view of the lake from the lighthouse on Pilot Bay:

Though surprised, we were pleased at the access we had:

It was about a 180 mile round trip but well worth it!  A quiet evening back at Lake Robinson finished off the day:

June 02, Friday

We displaced to the Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa in Montana.  

While Martha relaxed at the Dunn Creek Flats COE campground, I checked out the eastern viewpoints to the Libby Dam nearby:

Got caught in the rain so I waited it out, mostly, under a gazebo at the top of the dam viewpoint.

Got back, slightly wet but safely. 

Now in Idaho, boondocking with Martha

Yesterday, Martha flew into Spokane's airport and we drove to the Albeni Falls COE (Corps of Engineers) Campground about an hour away.  We did stop in Spokane to stock up on Martha-level provisions and booze.

We were joined there by the Z's after they'd done their errands within Spokane.

Nice little campsite with 14 spots, some of those for tents only.  Nice views of the lake created by the nearby dam.

Wednesday, May 31

We all left the COE campground before 9AM.  We'd set up a rendezvous for lunch less than 100 miles away at the "town" of Good Grief, close to the border with Canada.

Martha and I made a stop at the visitor center for the Albeni Falls Dam.  Most of the place was locked though the sign said open.  Oh well, a stroll down a path led to this view of the dam:

The other side of the railroad bridge

The name Good Grief was, basically, the draw for us.  It's basically one building, a cafe/bar.  We had us a nice lunch of pub food and then we went to a nearby USFS campground by Lake Robinson.  The sole criteria being that it was the closest one to the border with Canada.

Alcoholic-branded Moose

you could say, during lunch, the grouch population

was actually 2

Chris and Lori

I think the plan is to "dip our toes" in Canada tomorrow via sidecar riding by Martha and I.

Uraling back to Colorado - Day 63: Ontario, OR to Montpelier, ID

I left Ontario, Oregon and the Motel 6 shortly before 7:00 AM and made it over to Boise by 8:00 AM.  I couldn't locate the URAL dealership at first so instead decided to get breakfast at a local restaurant.

While in the restaurant, reviewed Google Maps again and realized my error.  After breakfast, the shop was open and I found it right where Google said it was.  It's a small building, easy to miss if you don't know what to look for.

Big Twin Cycle Center

I wandered in and fortunately the guy I started talking to was the owner!  Fred Wiley is his name and when he found out I was a URAL rider enroute to Colorado, and that I was asking to borrow a torque wrench and a spot to do an oil change, he said: "No problem!"

He showed me a nice dry spot on a concrete pad in the back of the shop, handed me an oil pan and a torque wrench, and left me to my maintenance chores.

I rechecked the torque on the head bolts, all were fine.  I changed out the oil in the engine and was happy to not find any large metal shavings, just a few "sparkle sized" grains of metal in the oil filter which I tore apart.

After I cleaned up, I asked Fred for a picture and thanked him for a great first experience at his dealership.

Fred Wiley, the owner of Big Twin Cycle Center and 

new URAL dealership for the Boise, ID area.

So, if you're interested in a URAL sidecar rig or a BMW motorcycle, and live near Boise....go check out the offerings Fred has.  The day I was there, he had a blue/white and forest fog pair of rigs.

Maintenance done, I headed back onto the I-84 slab.  Eventually I reached Bliss and turned off to check out the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway which had been recommended to me by a friend of the family.  The byway proved dissapointing in that the "thousand springs" have dissapeared along with the water for them, there's barely a dozen or so springs where there were apparently a thousand.  I guess someone forgot to pay the water bill?  :)

The byway took time to do and proved just a tour of farms and cattle ranches.  I eventually reached the other end of it at the city of Twin Falls.  It was hot, it was full of cars, and I wanted nothing but to get back to the I-84 slab and keep going east!  I even crossed over the Perrine Ridge bridge without taking a single picture.....sigh.

Here's my route for today, all slab riding as I get closer and closer to home.

Roughly 374 miles of riding today, man it was hot.  I hear its even hotter in the Denver Metro area!  I had to take more breaks than usual due to the heat making me sleepy.  Valencia did great today as well, I am taking it easy on the "almost completely rebuilt engine", keeping speeds between 55-60 mph (indicated) which translates to 50-55 mph actual.

About 524 miles and lots of more slab riding separate me from my loving wife and sons.  It'll be a long day of riding tomorrow but I believe tomorrow night I'll sleep in my own bed, with a bit of luck.