Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Day Two

Ok, we were sweating on this one!

As I rode away from the ruins I thought about the great time I had last night, telling stories about past adventures and our future plans.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/180607383-M.jpg

I prefer to travel by myself but when its time to stop and socialize nothing beats a campfire and good company.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/147993278-M.jpg

The trail was getting harder to follow, then I came upon a herd of horses keeping their distance. When the trail fades away this usually signals the middle, it quickly started to turn back into a road in about a mile. The group passed one of the Air Force test ranges then grabbed the access road back to main highway; the access road leads to hwy 51 then it was about 100 yards to Grasmere.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183066984-M.jpg

What a step back in time this place is. I rode for another ½ mile then turned onto a road that leads to Jarbige.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183037256-M.jpg

Traveling along this area is about as good as it gets, along some beautiful desert roads. It was decided that a detour to the Cat Creek area was necessary.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/147994105-M.jpg

This is a scenic overlook of the area. Sam had done some research about the canyon and there was supposed to be an old homestead at the bottom, off everyone went looking for the trail. It was soon found.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/147994548-M.jpg

Our youngest and most fearless member tore off down the steep road as the rest of us sized up the task. One by one the riders skidded down the trail arriving at bottom. http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183070617-M.jpg

At the bottom laid the old homestead and a nice meadow by the river. I took a quick power nap realizing the ride out would be a bit dicey. The way out was a quite a bit more challenging; riding over hard rock covered with various sizes of gravel ranging from marble sized to softball size can be tricky.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183037197-M.jpg

There was one area that had a step up after a 90 degree turn that was going to slow every one down, the trick is getting the momentum back. The team pulled together and made it to the top without any significant problems, except one. I could see that one of the members was starting to look dehydrated from the climb out; from personal experience I know this can ruin a great day. Not carrying a camelback or some type of hydration equipment is just asking for trouble! He didn't have anything but a few bottles of water tucked away in his luggage.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183072623-M.jpg

Not three miles later disaster struck as Phil let his bike veer into this ditch then into an impossible situation that led to this. Fortunately he was not hurt but the bike lost one of the panniers. The bag was strapped back onto the bike and off he went. Behind most of the accidents I have seen during adventure trips, dehydration is usually part of the equation.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183037292-M.jpg

The group rode on for several more hours and then arrived in Jarbige. From what I was able to find out; Jarbige sprung into existence in 1909 when gold was discovered and swelled to almost 1500 during the following years. It was also a focal point in the 2000 Shovel Rebellion where folks from the northwest protested government land use policies.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183037270-M.jpg

After fuel, a meal and some serious re-hydration by one of our group, the group headed for Murphy Hot Springs to camp for the night.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183037318-M.jpg

Of course a visit the springs with the assistance of one of the locals was in order.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183037282-M.jpg

Camping was needed for another night of telling stories.

Next time the Idaho Centennial Trail starting at the Nevada border.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/147995958-M-1.jpg

News for our local Dakar enthusiasts.

http://marsman.smugmug.com/photos/183063340-M.jpg

This is Chris Blaise, one of the handful of athletes representing America in the Paris to Dakar rally last year, he placed third. The Dakar is a grueling 15 day adventure through Europe, zig zagging through Africa and ending in Dakar Africa. Dakar has been in existence since the 1970s and has grown into an enormous event, with millions of followers in most countries but ours the US team continues to struggle. Dakar has the potential to become the next Tour de France and until last week, Chris was our best hope for a 1st place podium victory. Chris was practicing in the desert in Nevada last week and was hurt; most seriously his back was broken and he is in critical care. I will be running special tests for the Nevada Rally Experience in September where most of the North American Dakar participants test themselves and their new equipment for the upcoming event in January. I had the privilege to visit with Chris last year and can't say enough good things about this young man. My thoughts are with Chris and his family.