Trip End- From the guy who didn't make it

Okay, so I'm Tallahassee waiting to get an audience with one of the local orthopedic gods. Apparently, if I hadn't seen an orthopedic specialist in Boise, I would have seen somebody a week ago. But, since I did. they have to "review my case" before scheduling an appointment. What, are they trying to get their stories straight? It's frickin' broken, I'm guessing anybody can see that from a cell phone picture taken surreptitiously in Boise. Do they think I photo shopped it?

So far, all my research (high quality Internet, of course), leads me to believe that surgery is the absolute worst solution because, it seems like 9 times out of 10, they screw the plate into a nerve. So, unless somebody tells me without surgery I'll never play lead guitar again (does it matter that I can't play it now?), I'm prepared to live with one shoulder a couple of inches shorter than the other (Hunter's words of wisdom: "You don't have any tailored clothes")

Day 12- Last day back to Idaho City

The boys take the short ride in to Crouch. From Crouch into Idaho City is the least scenic of the route, with two steep climbs on good, but dusty dirt roads. The boys are hot and tired reaching Idaho City after climbs of 1,800 and 900 ft. And so the boys most excellent adventure comes to an end.

Herding Sheep

 Jorge Hiking

 Placeville, ID

 

Day 11- Boiling Springs to Tie Creek

 Leave Boiling Springs and tackle the first, and toughest, of today's two climbs, up to an unnamed summit at 5,500 ft. Some more downhill and then back up to Trail Creek Summit at 5,019 and back down to the last camp at Tie Creek about 7 miles short of Crouch.

Jorge Fishing (We don't need no stinkin license!)

 A sad sight, Johnny's empty bottle of Sailor Jerry

Day 10- McCall to Boiling Springs

As planned for revised finish, the boys SAG from McCall to Cascades, then start riding from Cascades to Boiling Springs. The route starts along Lake Cascade and then across the flat Cascade Valley.

Cascade Lake

 Cascade Valley

Another climb of 1,500 ft, brings them up to East Mountain at 6,200 ft. Then a nice downhill to camp at Boiling Springs at 4,000 ft.

The Boys contaminating Boiling Springs

Day 9- Warm Lake to McCall

Morning at Warm Lake

 

The boys leave Warm Lake after breakfast at the Lodge. Alan and Bill climb 1,300 ft. to the top of Big Creek Summit at 6,594 ft. then take the SAG to McCall and a very upscale Holiday Inn Express. Alan adds a little drama to the day by leaving his Dopp Kit in Warm Springs, having to drive back to retrieve it.

The plan for tomorrow, Thursday, is to SAG the 30 miles to Cascades and then ride the 34 miles to Boiling Springs campground. (Have you noticed how everything in this frozen tundra is either "warm" or "hot" or, now, "boiling"?) Then, divide the 60 miles remaining back to Idaho City between Friday and Saturday. And then the long drive home to Tallahassee begins Sunday. They should be off-grid until Saturday and even Idaho City is not much of a grid as they only get cell service because of the two repeaters at the Visitor Center and the hotel.

 

Day 8- Deadwood River to Warm Springs

Another cold morning, another late start, though I suspect the boys are getting fatigued, since the temperature is a little warmer but the start a little later. Start the day with a moderate climb up and over Deadwood Summit at 6,840 ft., followed by some downhill and then a brutal climb to Warm Lake Summit at 7,290 ft. They are rewarded by a descent of 2,500 ft. over the next 6 miles to Warm Lake. They have a late lunch at the North Shore Lodge where they are told the route they are supposed to take from there is closed by road crews digging culverts. They decide to spend the night at the lodge and then bike/drive to McCall the next day.

Warm Lake

Day 7- Frozen Florida Boys

Again the boys awaken to temperatures in the 20's, forcing another late start. If you're wondering about the desire to get an early start, it is to maximize the amount of daylight you have to get to the next camp. Just in case. To double their pleasure, there are two climbs today: Cape Horn Summit at 7,306 ft. and Deer Creek Pass at 6,483 ft.

After 48 miles they camp by the Deadwood River. Bill and Jorge, apparently having higher standards of personal hygiene than Alan or Bubba, clean up in the icy cold river, Bill submerging himself on purpose, Jorge accidentally. If Billy were there, he would have been happily floating in it.