I spent the weekend with the Kawasaki Concours Owners Group (COG) at the Bun Cooler in Kamiah, Idaho. It's a great rally. Wonderful people. Wonderful roads. Incredible scenery.
The last stretch follows along the Clearwater River from Lewiston, ID to Kamiah. In Lewiston, the river is broad, deep and to me looks unremarkable...like a lot of other rivers. But as you head upriver to Kamiah, and then on the ride on Saturday to Elk City along the South Fork of the Clearwater, the river becomes a raging whitewater torrent. If you went off the road, ...you'd last a couple seconds. I'd say the rapids are Class III and Class IV in places.
I think this trip to me, was defined by the river. Not only does the road twist and turn to follow the river, but the sights were defined by it. I saw bald eagles swooping like seagulls as they fished the river. Later, I saw probably 30 or more kayakers enjoying the challenge of the rapids. And then this morning coming back home, I was struck by how many fishermen were either along the bank or out on their boats fishing. And they were catching fish.
I suspect it might seem like every picture is similar...they are. The areas are mountainous and the rivers cut through them wild and untamed. And the roads follow the rivers. It makes for some great riding because in places the roads are very technical. One slip up could put you in the water...or splattering against an unyielding rock wall. But I just enjoy it for the experience.
Charlie led going over Stevens Pass on Friday. Here we're riding along the Wenatchee River coming up to Leavenworth, WA.
This was taken on Saturday on our way up to Elk City.
I can't understand why when the river tips like this, that the water doesn't fall out onto the road.
There were places where the waves were 6-10 feet high. Pictures just don't do it justice.
This was kind of fun. I made a wrong turn and when I got going the right way again, I spotted two riders from our group ahead of me. That's Bob on a Yamaha Tracer and someone else in front.
Chris