HEYBURN STATE PARK, PLUMMER IDAHO 2023

Friday 10/13

Our final SOTF outing for the year with 40 sisters, on the Trail of the Coeur D’Alene, my favorite of trails. We would be here for four nights before heading down to Boise to have some visit time with our Sister friend Jayne, and then on to California for a week with Sarah and family. More about those visits later.

We arrived at camp on a Wednesday afternoon as the all day rain was abating. We got set up, said hello to some of the women who were here, and were soon back in the van for warmth and dinner. The following day did not have any planned activities as this was a KISS (Keep It Simple Sisters) event. We each chose our own activity for the day – sitting around the warming fire and socializing; reading in the cozy warmth of our RVs; napping; taking short walks; fly fishing; enjoying quiet time.

Phyllis organized our ride for the next day and 12 of us gathered for the start at 11:00 when it had warmed to about 60 degrees. Weather was extremely cooperative with all day sun warming us, and temps climbed to the mid 60s, much nicer than it has recently been with the rain and colder temps.

Organizing involves first, herding the cats…

And finally they are gathered and ready…

There were a few glitches/stops along the way. After the first mile Susan realized she had to return to camp for her forgotten hydration pack; Pam had forgotten something she needed to retrieve; a couple of sisters were stopped along the way to unravel a light cable; and then there was the potty stop. I NEVER tire of this delightful trail. We have done it end to end several times and though I am disappointed to not have the opportunity/time to do more of the trail on this trip, I am satisfied with riding any of it.

We make it to, and cross, the wonderful bridge that ‘steps’ us up and over the Chatcolet Lake.

Reaching Harrison in time for our lunch, we had to adapt to the non-potable water situation that had any eating establishment (there are 2) closed. This being “Coffeeneuring season”, this is what I have posted for that;

Camping with our Sisters on The Fly again with a good group of women who love the outdoors. The campground is located just off the trail (more on it than off it) and is most convenient for our ride.

Place & tea choice: Tea Leaf cold tea with infusion of peach from Harrison Grocery Store (was very tasty). The entire area is having work done on the water pressure and the pipes apparently broke and caused debris to end up in the water supply rendering it not potable. We thought that was for the campground only and everyone brought big supplies of water for personal use. When we got to Harrison we learned that water there is also an issue, and restaurant and coffee shop were closed due to that. Cyclists (and SOTF), being resourceful and adaptive, found the grocery store/deli, made purchases, pulled up a comfortable rock and had our lunch and beverage.

We had met Pam at the campground who was camping alone, she thought, and had no idea who the 40 women were that she was camping with! She had not heard of SOTF. We invited her to join our ride, and to join us for the chili pot luck. Pam is very grateful for the chance to join in with us, and has decided she will be joining the organization as a perfect fit for her. A plus for me is that she really likes biking and does quite a bit of it. She wanted to do a little more riding along the trail before heading back to camp so the two of us enjoyed this delightful sunny day in October to ride a few more miles.