Biking adventure not to be repeated

It was a long wait, but summer arrived just in time for a stellar Independence Day weekend. With family visiting we did what many of us do: become tourists, or at least tour guides.

On Saturday it was a trip to Lookout Pass and a bicycle ride on the Route of the Hiawatha ... my sister, Janna's idea. So off we went, our party of 10, including two little ones in a tow-behind on their dad's bike. The 13-mile adventure at 4,160-foot elevation started by riding into the 1.6 mile Taft Tunnel, which burrows under the Bitterroot Mountain range, straddling the Idaho/Montana border. I knew immediately that this was going to be way outside my comfort zone.Within about five minutes I was so disoriented by the pitch black tunnel, lit only by our bicycle headlights, I had to get off and walk my bike the rest of the way. Euphoric at making it out of the tunnel and at the incredible scenery unfolding along the trail, I couldn't resist taking a photograph of Bert as we pedaled the slight downhill slope. Bad mistake. In the blink of an eye I lost control of my bike, clipped Bert's rear tire and luckily didn't send one or both of us careening over the sheer drop off just a few feet away. I was sprawled underneath my bike on the gravel road, with some serious road rash from ankle to elbow, a gash in one knee and spectacular bruising on my hip and back. I sucked it up and continued the ride through several more tunnels and over a half dozen high trestles with breath-taking views until the end of the trail 10 miles later.

Like our recent Bloomsday adventure, the Route of the Hiawatha might just be another of those never to be repeated "been there, done that, got the T-shirt" items on my list.***

What a great Fourth of July celebration in Coeur d'Alene. Kudos to first-time parade organizer, Diane Higdem of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, for one of the best ever.As a first-time Fourth of July parade announcer I was hoping for a gap or two to catch my breath and take a sip of water but to no avail. It was running like clock-work with some great and enthusiastic entries. The Idaho Air National Guard flyover, Martin Hereford's amazing singing of the National Anthem, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Thomas Norris, Bataan Death March survivor Bud Kirchoff and beloved Lidwina Dirne, Grand Marshal made it was an All-American day.

I loved seeing iconic cool car guys from the 1960s, Bob and Don Shafer, cruising Sherman once again in their '34 and '32 Fords with the Hydromaniacs entry. And then there was Bill Hamilton at the helm of the Shriners octocycle. The bike made its first appearance in the Fourth of July parade in 1957 with a 7-year-old Bill riding on the rear fender, behind his dad, CJ.

Did you catch the mini-reunion of former charter Red Hot Mamas with the Coeur d'Alene Carousel Foundation entry ... saw Mikki Stevens, Kiki Miller and Amy Bartoo still dancing and looking red hot. Toss in the crowd-favorite Perfection Nots marching band making their 34th parade appearance and it was a real walk down Memory Lane. Thanks to all. ***

It was a great morning on Sherman Avenue and before heading up the ladder into the parade skybox, Gerry Bauerle convinced us to enjoy breakfast at the Eagles. We dined on the sidewalk with Dave and Tracie Smith in the sunshine. The Eagles serve Sunday breakfast every week from 9 to 11 a.m., all you can eat for just $6. A great deal supporting a great organization.***

Happy Birthday today to Barb McCarley and Wade Jacklin. Tomorrow Becky Robison, Susie Jameson and Susie Sullivan are the birthday girls. On Friday Taryn Thompson, Peter Finney and Bev Hammond will blow out the candles and celebrating on Saturday are Loren Mitchell and Brooke Hell. Brooke will have one candle on her cake! July 10 is the birthdate of Heather Wichman, Gene Gertson, Amber Blanchette, Pat Fuller and James Hail, III. Starting the week with birthdays on Monday are Jeri Lee, Betty Ann Henderson, Scott Grant, Maxine Nelson, Larry Wendt and Richard Jurvelin. On July 12 wish Chelsea Rosenberger, Emily Schneidmiller, Paul Burke, Jim Welborn, Bebe Fletcher and Cheri Burila a happy birthday.***

THERE'S MORE: New stories and photos almost every day at More Main Street. There's a link also for adding your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club!***

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2010 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at [email protected]