Day 11: Painted Rocks Lake, Montana to Bayhorse Lake, Idaho

After a quiet night by the stream at our campsite, we woke up feeling rested and ready to move on to a new state--Idaho. 

We didn't even bother unhooking the Scamp from the truck at this location, so it was just a matter of getting dressed and getting in the truck before we were on the road once again. 

On our way out of the area we stopped for a few minutes so that Kevin could check out the dam at Painted Rocks Lake. 

Today's drive took us on a winding and gorgeous road alongside the Salmon River. This river was featured in one of Kevin's favorite documentaries--DamNation--and believe it or not I recommend it! It's on Netflix. 

Before long we crossed into Idaho and found ourselves in Salmon, Idaho--the birthplace of Sacagawea. We have come across a few other historical landmarks from the Lewis and Clark expedition on our way...I keep making Kevin pull over so that I can read the signs. 

We decided to check out Bertram's Brewery in Salmon, Idaho for some lunch and to try to get some internet service to research and select our next destination. Thankfully, Bertram's had good brews, good food, and free wifi. 

We decided on a campsite in the Salmon-Challis National Forest at Bayhorse Lake. It meant an 8 mile drive down yet another gravel road, but as Kevin says, "the campsites you have to earn are always the best." About four miles down the gravel road we passed a mining ghost town that reminded us of our trip to Kennicott, Alaska. 

Eventually, we emerged from our travels with a coating of dust and were surprised to find that the campsite was packed. A little panicked that we would not be able to get a site and then have to drive back down the gravel road in search of another location, we exhaled a sigh of relief when we found one last available site. We quickly pulled in to the site and discovered it was huge and had an amazing view. The campground is situated on the top of a hillside/mountain beside a lake and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and a refreshing (and at times quite gusty) breeze. 

Upon talking to the campers at the site next to us we learned that the reason for the crowds was a 105k all-terrain race this weekend. They had spent the day volunteering at a checkpoint for the race and a few of the other campers had participated in the race. There was a definite celebratory vibe in the campsite tonight for good reason! We passed one of the racers on the way up the gravel road; at the time we assumed he was just hiking the 8 mile road to the campsite...I can't even imagine running/hiking 105 k through mountains like this! 

We took both dogs down to the lake to explore for a bit before we headed back to camp for dinner and relaxation. I headed to bed early to read while once again Kevin sat by the campfire to look up at the stars.

Side note: I've been able to read a ton on this trip so far! I think I've read more this trip so far than I did all school year! Here's what I've been reading: 

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (fiction)

Stiff by Mary Roach (nonfiction)

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks (fiction)

Rules for Breaking by Ashley Elston (young adult fiction

Zoo by James Patterson (fiction)