Today was a steady ride up the Clearwater and then the Lochsa along highway 12 toward Lolo summit. An unexpected appointment in Walla Walla meant we would get picked up late today by Chad and Hannah and return to our ride to reach Lochsa lodge on Tuesday. The day is beautiful, sunny warm. We can hear the river beside us and smell the trees, the flowers, and the occasional dead animal along the road. There are insects out and river rafters and kayakers. We are acutely aware of the temperature and elevation changes, and it makes an indelible memory of traveling along this majestic route by bicycle rather than just seeing it from a car window. We discuss how we feel as if we are a part of the river and the terrain. We meet another cyclist named Brent who is headed to San Francisco. A little later we meet two more cyclists, Cono and Eileen, heading towards Florence, Oregon. They are on the last leg of a cross the US trip from the east coast. About 6:00 Chad and Hannah pick us up about 20 miles from Lochsa lodge. After dinner at the lodge we head back the 240 miles we’ve ridden the past 3 days. Day off tomorrow. Back here on Tuesday.