Day 7. Clearwater to Blue River. May 4. 108 km.

Today started out as being uneventful, overcast skies and 6C. Although Gramie's bottom was still tender, we had to ride to Blue River 108 km away for the next accommodation. The pain was worst when she pedaled hard up hills so we decided to walk up the hills and ride the rest of the time. This worked well enough for us to reach our motel around 4PM.

Gramie had slept poorly last night and the tiredness got the best of her before noon. In fact she proved again that she can sleep anywhere by having a nap beside the highway. Not only that but she used the pup tent ground sheet under her and the tent per se as a blanket. I didn't want her lying directly on the grass because she picked up ticks doing that on a previous bike ride.

About an hour before Blue River a fellow stopped and told us about the bears along the road then gave us bear spray for protection. Within five minutes another fellow stopped to tell us about a bear just down the road. Two others warned us in the next 10 minutes. When we finally saw the bear, it was resting at a pullout and only raised itself to get a better look at us. We have encountered so many nice people who are concerned for our safety.

 

Gramie found a new use for the pup tent.