The hosts with the most

Once we arrived in Fruitland,ID to cell phone service and internet we had several e-mails from rotarians throughout Idaho offerring their hospitality. This was largely due to the efforts of The Rotary Club of the Stoningtons in Ct.We made some phone calls and set out the next morning for the capital of Boise. Within a mile from the start we could smell onions and mint before we actually saw the fields (where are the potatoes?) There was a beautiful home with a front lawn of green onions, not grass. Great idea, but I imagine hard on the pet dog. We were in the Emmett valley then climbed the hills to Freezeout Hill. Not too difficult after the climbs in Oregon. It was the first very hot day, over 100 by Paul's bike reading. Ben was looking for shade and found a spot by a vineyard Woodriver Cellers,( in Idaho??) Turns out, there are many. This one was setting up for a wedding and produces 20 varieties. Their newest favorite is a vine from Argentina, Malbec.

Ben, still looking for shade rested 5 miles outside of Boise when suddenly his tire popped. Luckily there was a bike shop across the street, 2nd new tire for Ben, the same thing happened at Unity Lake.

We arrived at the home of Ray and Carol Frechette, our hosts for the night. Mom and Wayne had already arrived. They greeted us with cold drinks and an offer to swim in their pool. It was so refreshing! Ray called a neighbor over, also named Carol to share her connection with Africa. Turns out her daughter, Rebecca traveled to Zimbawe where she met and married a man. They both do missionary work and are familiar with World Vision. Yes, Bruce Wilkinson sounded very familiar to her.....small world. Carol was invited to dinner, RIBS!!!yum and afterwards a walk across the street to a nature center complete with rainbow trout, sturgeon and a doe and fawn crossed our path.

Ray and Carol couldn't have been nicer. He compared rocks and pictures with us and biking adventures. Both Carols loved the Chikumbuso bracelets. Carol bought the 2 off my wrist, the ones I was traveling with since the beginning. After a great breakfast with homemade bread, Ray joined us for a bike ride out of Boise.

We had a fast ride to Mountain Home were another rotarian Ed Sharpe arranged a complinentary stay at a KOA, thanks to the owner Don. We met Ed on the road going to Glenns Ferry to add miles to the day. We chatted for a while, he gave me a donation and an offer for breakfast the next morning.

The sun came out in the afternoon and after traveling 60 miles Ben was again looking for shade. The guys were out of water and happy to see Wayne. Wayne and Mom spent the last two days fishing(dinner) and exploring.

At the campsite we called Ray to let him know we made it Ok. He said Carol would like to come to CT for the Ben Taylor concert in August! She already booked her flight.Wow, with my cousin, Michelle, that makes 2. The challenge is on, one from every state..and I thought it could not be done. Book your tickets now, it will be a sell-out! More on that later.