After reading Mike Mueller's blog about "Who's to Blame", I thought about the frustration this melt down has caused. So.... I thought about my bike trip a few weeks back and how it helped keep me centered. I needed a vacation from real estate more than I realized. Sometimes, all it takes is for use to think back on the good times to realize the present is not all that bad. Sure we are in a mess but we're digging our way out just a little every day. Hope these photos help sooth your nerves a little. If you ever get a chance to take a road trip do it. You meet some of the nicest and most interesting people. It really does expand your horizon and make you think about how really good we have it here in the good old USA.

What a wonderful week of riding through N. CA., Oregon, Idaho and Montana. My best friend and I rode 2600 miles in 7 days through some of the most beautiful country in the western US. I have done this before by myself but it's much better if a friend can ride along. Words can't describe the beauty of the open road so I'll insert a couple pics of my favorite roads, rivers and places. Enjoy.

Abert Lake, Oregon, Hwy 395 north of Alturas. Before you get your water skies out, it's a brine/alkali lake, but it's big and beautiful.

Payette River, Idaho, Hwy. 55 from Boise to McCAll

Payette Lake near McCAll Idaho. Looks like a smaller version of Lake Tahoe but without the crowds. Very u upscale community and the water is o'so cold!

Whitetail Lodge, McCall Idaho. Sits right on the lake. I highly recommend this lodge. The food, rooms, service and attitude are the best. The bridge on the left is where the Payette river exits the lake.

Heading north (hwy 55 to 95), from McCall Idaho to New Meadows. Twisty road follows this river.

Lochsa river, Hwy 12 Idaho. Heading north east from Kooskia to Lolo Montana. This is the Lewis and Clark Trail. Probably one of the most beautiful roads in the country. Over 100 miles of breathtaking scenery. It's so hard to take it all in as there is so much of it. Great bike road too!

Lochsa river, Hwy 12 near Lolo pass Idaho, 8236 ft. elevation at the pass with interpetive center.

 Bitterroot mountain range, hwy. 93 from Lolo Montana to Salmon Idaho. Very beautiful area of western Montana with real friendly folk and 93 octane gas for my bike.

Salmon river, Hwy. 75 from Challis Idaho heading west towards Stanley Idaho 

 This is one of my favorite places. It's one of the most beautiful areas in the country. This is Stanley Idaho and the Salmon river. You can see the Sawtooth mountain range in the background. Just over this mountain range is Sun Valley Idaho.

Still plenty of snow around Crater Lake Oregon in the middle of June.

 I'm not to happy in this photo because I know it's my last day on the road. The Immortal Tree which can be found on the Avenue of the Giants which parallels Hwy. 101 just south of Fortuna. BIG TREES!