Day 12 (July 1) - Twin Falls to Burley, Idaho (43 Miles)

This was our shortest day so far, only 43 miles, but it was a day designed for sightseeing in Twin Falls and even had time for a bicycle scavenger hunt.   Here are some pictures from the day:

Starting out the day with a visit to the Golf Course at Snake River Gorge (looking for golf balls for the scavenger hunt (extra points for a Top Flight 4)

A view of the Snake River Bridge - My roommate, Terry Alston.  Terry is from Tucson.   He is quite proud of being the oldest rider on this trip.   He is one of the very best riders in the group at the young age of 74. 

Waiting for the Parachutists to Jump.  A group lined up to see the the parachuters who have come to Twin Falls to parachute of the bridge.  (Michael, Matt, Travis, Terry, Chuck, and Julie)

Parachute Jumping at the Snake River.  The Parachute Jumpers walk right to the middle of the bridge, climb the rail and jump (of course with parachute on.   There is no law in Idaho to prevent jumping off a bridge, so this is a popular place for jumpers.  

Snake River Gorge.  A view of the Evel Knievel Jump.  If you look carefully, you can see the ramp in the distance (just above the bend in the river where Evel Knievel flew his rocket nearly across the Snake.   If you recall, the parachute opened early, dropping Evel into the rocks at the foot of the river.

Here is the Parachutist (from LA, here for the thrills)

Shoshone Falls on the Snake River.  These are the famous Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho about 4 miles north of the City on the Snake.  These are more of a "scenic dam' than a set of waterfalls.   Just wait until we get to Niagara Falls (in another 20 days)

Our ABB Scavenger Hunt Team (Mike from Montreal, Terry Alston from Tucson, Barry from Sacrmento, and Russell Goins from Warrenton, VA).  Today we had a scavenger hunter (by bicycle).   We were required to bring in list of 16 items to include a golf ball (extra credit for a used Top Flight 4), a blue flower, a 7up bottle cap, an Idaho Quarter, a piece of truck tire from the freeway, etc.   It made for an interesting day and was great fun after dinner picking the winning team.   Our team came in second, thanks to the great work of Montreal Mike.   

Here we are overlooking Shoshone Falls about to begin the scavenger hunt.  See the immensity of the Snake River Canyon.

Traveling thru Idaho...fields of Wheat, Barley and Potatoes every where one looks

Here is an up close view of barley a few days from harvesting

A potato field with center pivot irrigation system

A large center pivot with new mown wheat

Oldest and youngest cyclists on our trip.   Terry Alston is the oldest rider at 74.  The youngest rider is Lucy Biddlestone at 22.  Both are from England.  Lucy is off to graduate school in the fall.   Terry is back to Tucson to ride with his bike club.

This is Chuck and Julie (Their team won the scavenger hunt)

This is our first SAG stop of the day.   Everyone is hungry

Our young riders (Karina, Lucy, and Jeff) are showing off their "I Love Jeff" tatoos.   Jeff is the judge for the Scavenger Hunt tonight, so this is big time "suck up"

Here is a view of the irrigation canals in Idaho.  A large system of canals provides irrigation water in much of the state.

The same irrigation canal looking West

Here's Barry Lucas standing in a center pivot sprinkler .   It was 94 degrees in the afternoon, so I quickly joined him.

New mown wheat along the route 30E

Mike Munk taking a break with the Smurf's

Bikers wrapping up the day enroute to the Hotel (The Best Western in Burley Idaho)

Mike Munk (our trip leader) demonstrating how to maintain your drive chain.   I'm may be a bike Mechanic by the time I get home (Ha)

Overall, today was a fun easy day of riding.   We saw some great farm country in Central Idaho, some scenic places along the Snake River, and had fun with our biking scavenger hunt and picking the winners after dinner.   The America by Bicycle crew are taking great care of us.   They work 16 hours a day to ensure we have a great trip.  Tomorrow we have an 88 mile ride from Burly to Pocatella, Idaho.   It's gonna be hot, so we are leaving early in the morning to beat the heat.   More tomorrow night.  ME