Safe Return Doubtful

58 miles (94 km) – Total so far: 495 miles (796 km)

Round Lake State Park was just about bearable. The noise died away just after 9 but I had no problem getting to sleep. Because of the lake it attracts kids. It’s brave to take your infant camping for no other reason than it may lose you some friends if it bawls for 90 minutes at 1 in the morning.

There are 6 nasty miles on busy highway 95 before a separate bike track materialises into Sandpoint, and notably across the big bridge. I stopped at Starbucks forcoffee and to get wifi access then neared out east on highway 200 still following the Northern Tier route. I called into the visitors’ centre and was told it is a beautiful very scenic highway. It had far more traffic on it than highway 20 did an very little shoulder. There were quite a large amount of trucks also.

I met a group of 20 headed the other way. I chatted to Leif from China who was a half hour ahead on anyone else. I think they have just banded together as they have headed over from Maine. They all ride at their own pace so particularly today spaced out. I met another group of them at an excellent lunch stop in Clark Fork. It’s always good to learn about the route ahead, and vice versa. They had stayed at Two Rivers RV Park and sang the praises of George, the owner’s, hospitality so much that I made that my destination for the day. There’s a good grocery / deli nearby and it’s 12$ for a peaceful site with all that is necessary including wifi. It’s Montana now and an hour later. There’s a forest site a mile or so away, 10$ but no shower or wifi.

Sandpoint

Storytime:

Chile

I worked for 5 years in Santiago, Chile between 2007 and 2011. During that time my visits to Nigel in Houston were more frequent. Instead of the usual Christmas visit I fitted in some summer visits also. Nigel’s business in wine also brought him down to South America. He had been to Mendoza in Argentina before I lived there but was there with work again in June 2009. It was also bit hectic for both of us, but he had about 24 hours after flying into Santiago before heading on the short and bumpy flight over the Andes. His plane was delayed also but we managed to get some late dinner and a beer at his hotel in the city. The following day I had football with school and he came along to support and get the atmosphere. He met lots of my coaches and fellow teachers, but our focus was on our First XI who were doing well in the tournament and coached my my good friend from the US, Gordon. Gordon was a great coach but we did taunt him with his Americanisms while he was in action. He was very patient. We had a good night with Gordon and several others, and arranged to go and watch him play the following morning at the Club. Not surprisingly perhaps we were out of bed a bit late and we had missed the first part of the game by the time we arrived. Gordon had already scored we were told as we walked to the pitch. Just as we got over the rise there was a loud whistle. Again involved Gordon, but this time a straight red card for a bad foul, sent off for the first time ever in his career. So we actually never got to see him. Not knowing anyone playing we headed home almost as disappointed as Gordon was.

Nigel’s work for Wildmans took him all over the States and around the world. He had several trips to Europe and usually tacked on an EasyJet flight to see famikybi the UK. Maybe with a degree in Estate Management he was lucky to forge a career that he loved and to work for a great company, but he was very good at his job, and his English approach and education, backed by his character and humour, made him extremely successful at it.