C2C Day 12 – Twin Falls to Burley, ID

More tailwinds, and even cooler temperatures today.  Lovin’ those 70s – especially when I hear about triple-digit temperatures back in Denver.  An easy 45 mile cruise through irrigated fields of potatoes, beets, wheat and lavender – with a few detours to see Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls.  Shoshone Falls (pictured) is the prettier of the two.  Twin Falls is actually now just a single… one of the twins was dammed for hydroelectric power.  Ah, the price of progress.

We crossed back over the Snake River Gorge on the Hansen Bridge.  Before the original bridge was built in 1919, this 16 mile stretch of river gorge could only be crossed by rowboat.  The 900 foot bridge, suspended nearly 400 feet over the Snake River, accommodated two lanes of farm wagons as well as those newfangled automobiles that were starting to gain popularity.  The cost of the bridge in 1919?  $100,000.  Ah, the price of progress only 99 years ago.

Undoubtedly, the best part of the day came at the finish in Burley, where I was cheered on by my welcoming team of Jackie and AJ.  They got to meet fellow cyclists and experience firsthand this crazy ‘travelling summer camp’ atmosphere.  Jax and AJ also witnessed the results of a scavenger hunt competition as teams creatively vied to win over the judges with team photos, spotting of Where’s Waldos, and collecting interesting items from the side of the road today, among other challenges.  They’ll be staying with me tonight, but maybe not getting up with me at 5:30 for breakfast.

Tomorrow will be my last Coast-to-Coast ride for 2018.  87 miles to Pocatello, a farewell dinner with the rest of the crew, and one more night in a Best Western Hotel before the car ride home with my wonderful support team of AJ and Jackie.  I’m already looking forward to next year.

~Dan