Couer d'Alene and Camp Sweyolakan
Today was our first time back on the bike after having a day off. We headed out of Spokane, WA in a double pace line to a local journalist waving the starting flag on live TV, and off we were to Coeur d’Alene, ID. We were on the streets very briefly and soon hit a bike path which was supposed to take us the full way. We had a personal tour guide, Mike, who our PM met the night before scouting the route. He said he’d ridden these paths several times and would gladly show us the way. We were a little unsure at first, so he brought up the rear with me and the other sweep in the beginning. However, after a couple of wrong turns made by the team he started leading the way and we were on the right track. Those missed turns added up though, and we turned a quick 35 mile ride into a long 50. Everything was fine in the end anyway, and we made it to <b>Camp Sweyolakan!</b> around 1:00pm.
We had to take a ferry with all of our bikes, bags, and bodies aboard to the camp, which had limited access. Upon our arrival, the camp counselors were already singing their camp welcome song, which put a smile on all of our faces. After a brief introduction we headed right in for lunch, where everybody got more than enough to eat, as usual. After lunch the afternoon activities were announced. Some of us engaged in archery, others took a canoe out on the lake, a handful of us challenged ourselves on the high ropes course, and the rest of us just relaxed on the beach. After a nice break of an afternoon, we were treated to a delicious spaghetti dinner. In the evening, after our team meeting of course, we played cards in the dining hall until the storm subsided and then hung out with the camp counselors around a fire near our cabins until we went to bed. Thanks<b>Camp Sweyolakan!</b>
Tomorrow we will be taking a new route to Kellogg, ID; a different one than past Trans America teams. Apparently, it consists of 30 miles on the highway followed by a little over 50 miles on a fairly new trail surrounded by beautiful scenery. It’s said that this trail doesn’t have any turns, which eliminates the possible error on our part that led to the longer ride today. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. In any event, we’re all excited to keep moving and head for those mountains that lie between us and Montana.
Today's Photos
The Journey So Far
