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May 29, 2008 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 65F, windy

Comments:
Oregon Trip '08 - Day Five

Got in a good sleep last night, thanks in large part to Behrs' body heat. We "slept in" 'til around 0700, and then got up and packed up the tents. I organized everything and packed up the car while Keith did one last sight-seeing adventure to Jenny Lake. We were in the car and en route to Jackson by 0830.

The plan was to visit some local continental breakfasts again today; however, there were few "chain" hotels in the Jackson area -- which was actually pretty cool. While gassing up in town I got a lead on a good breakfast restaurant, but just as we were about to pay for breakfast, we spied the Best Western, so there we went. Another solid breakfast: three types of eggs, decent cereal and breads, and good coffee and tea. No make-your-own waffles, however.

After a leisurely breakfast, we did a quick walk-around downtown Jackson. Pretty tourist-y. I'm sure there's some amazing parts of Jackson where the savvy locals hang out, but we didn't have time to investigate. We were out, headed west toward Idaho.

It was an uneventful drive into Idaho, taking various state roads 'til a brief time on I-15 before taking US20 west on our way to Craters of the Moon NM. The overall stretch -- from Casper, WY, to Boise, ID -- was the most desolate lands I've ever crossed. There was next to nothing along the vast majority of this drive. While sometimes disconcerting -- especially when my little old Celica was lugging two guys and jammed full of gear -- there was definitely something very humbling about the nature we saw.

As I had expected, Craters of the Moon NM was strikingly similar to the lava fields of Central Oregon. As such, I wasn't overly excited about it; however, it did afford a nice excuse to get out of the car and get in a quick ride and run. While it was much warmer than our previous rides -- close to 70F and sun -- it was quite windy, which made the brief ride a bit more challenging.

Our course took us along the short seven-mile park loop, and up and over some impressive climbs. At the far end of the loop was a parking lot for some "lava caves" -- essentially empty lava tubes from where the "molten hot MAGMA" once flowed underneath the surface. The caves were an 0.8 mile hike from the lot, so we ditched the bikes and packs and ran along the rolling, serpentine paved trail through the lava fields.

It didn't occur to me 'til we arrived that these caves were a bit more than overlooks: you can literally climb down into them! Keith got this much sooner than I did, and as such, he was prepared with his head lamp. At the farthest cave, we climbed into it and hiked down a 150' section of cave to check it out. It was pretty cool, but nothing overly exciting.

We ran back, hopped on the bikes, and had a vigorous ride back to the main parking lot, up some legitimate climbs and into the strong wind. Thankfully it was manageable, and before long, we were back in the saddle and headed toward Boise.

That last stretch into Boise was one of the toughest drives for yours truly, who had done all but that second driving leg on the first day. It was more desolation, and now we were even more tired from the quick bike and run. Despite my disdain for car wear and gas guzzling, we were rolling close to 80 (into the wind) on I-84. Around 6PM we rolled into our pre-arranged hotel -- the Holiday Inn -- just off the interstate in Boise.

Though exhausted, I sought some more mileage than the miniscule 1.5 earlier in the day. I didn't have it in me to bike nearer to downtown, Boise State campus, or the Boise River, so I gutted out a painful out and back on Vista Dr. Thankfully it was sunny and the wind had disappeared, so it wasn't all that bad. If anything, it gave me an opportunity to both scope out places to eat that night, as well as a couple potential stops on the upcoming "continental breakfast crawl" Friday morning.

While gone, it was Behrs' job to find us a place to eat, and when I returned, he had found this sweet-looking pizza joint called The Flying Pie (www.flyingpie.com). Though we'd just had pizza two nights ago, we were intrigued by organic ingredients and whole wheat crust, so after I cleaned up we were back in the car for the brief cross-town drive to "The Pie".

Upon entering, I was immediately impressed...and overwhelmed! At "The Pie" you place your order first at the counter. Behrs and I had to sit first, poring over the menu, trying to figure out the myriad of combinations. Not only can you choose crusts and toppings, but also sauces, spices and types of cheese! I finally balked and ordered a specialty pizza -- on whole wheat crust, add jalepenos. I also picked up a couple of great beers, including my first Black Butte Porter out of Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR.

Before long, our complimentary breadsticks arrived: ALSO WHOLE WHEAT! Lightly buttered and dusted with garlic salt, they were delicious! Shortly thereafter, our 'zzas arrived. Amazing. We each got 14" pizzas which, especially after the sticks, were precisely twice as much food as we required...and then some, because by the time we got back to the hotel, I was so full it was painful!

Thankfully that pain quickly subsided, and once it did, I was out cold on my bed in the Holiday Inn.

Good day!