Safety Dance

“S (s s s) A (a a a) F (f f f) E (e e e) T (t t t) Y (y y y)”

- Men Without Hats

This song has absolutely nothing to do with today’s ride, other than I’m trying to be as safe as I can. I rode 93 miles on one road, the last 35 or so amounting to the eastern Idaho version of an interstate. There were virtually no highlights and on days like that, my mind drifts aimlessly in an endless sea of stupid or nonsensical thoughts. For whatever reason, I was thinking of that song and the time my roommates and I went and saw those guys play in Houston. We all bought the t-shirts. Interesting side note - the song was supposed to be Safe To Dance, but apparently lead singer, Ivan, was too drunk and kept screwing up the words. And a hit was made. Interesting side note #2 - there is a parody You Tube video of this song. They take the actual music video but change the lyrics to describe what is actually taking place in the video. It is one of the funniest videos I’ve ever seen. If you can stand the song enough, watch the original video first, then the parody.

The other thought I kept having was that Idaho is like a bastard stepchild. It has some neat stuff, but just not as much of it as its cooler neighbors. Yes, there’s skiing, but not like in Utah. Yes there’s fishing, but not like in Montana. There are no national parks like Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Based on a review of the hundred thousand or so vehicles that drove past me today, they do have a lot of people from those other states that like to pass through Idaho to get to where they really want to be. Also, Mormons like to hang out with their families on Sundays. Based on that same review, that apparently includes going on long road trips through Idaho. There were absolutely more Utah plates than Idaho ones.

The sole riding highlight of the day was a 6%, 5-mile downhill. I was going close to 40mph that whole time and covered that distance in about 8 minutes (vs 20+ it would take normally).

I’m staying in a Motel 6. It has come to that.

This was actually the parting shot for me from Montana.

#38. The border through here is also the Continental Divide. I don’t know why, but that feature always fascinates me. It is my first time crossing it on this trip. I’ll cross it again in a car later in the week going to Nebraska.

Another pelican, this one in Harriman State Park. I’ve seen pelicans in Alabama, South Dakota and now Idaho. I would have guessed Alabama, not the other two.

My favorite road sign. These are too rare IMHO.

First the Sheep Drive Capital of the World and now this! Beats the heck out of a giant ball of twine.

Seems like a very odd combo to me

The bed at a Motel 6. Hopefully none of you will experience this yourselves.

Had to split today in 2 to test Strava after it completely failed me yesterday. Appears to have been an anomaly. Let’s hope.