Trip to Manchester England

 I travelled to Manchester England from May 20 to May 30, 2024, and posted a blog page about it for anyone who might be interested.  It was sure a great trip!

My Trip to Manchester, England

Coeur d'Alene Bike Trip - Day 17

In the morning, I went over to Philippe's, an LA establishment that started in 1908, known for their french-dip sandwiches.

I had a nice bowl of oatmeal, then took a walk and spent some time at a CB&TL until the Surfliner was scheduled to leave. I checked out of the hotel, rode my bike the short distance to LA Union Station, and caught the train south. It was a little late, but not much, and I got to Solana Beach about 3 pm.

The Southbound Surfliner, Pulling Into LA Union Station. Astonishing to me is the sight of the San Gabriels in the distance. It was a warm and humid day, and in the old days you'd never see them because of the smog.

A Typical View From The Surfliner; San Clemente Pier

Laura picked me up at the station and gave me a ride home. It was sure a fun trip!

Coeur d’Alene Bike Trip - Day 16

As I mentioned in my previous post, fire south of Klamath Falls prevented trains from moving between Klamath Falls and Sacramento. The Amtrak crew was talking about track damage and even a bridge that caught fire. We were transferred to busses in Klamath Falls at 12:30 am, taken west to 5 then south to Sacramento, stopping twice and arriving at 7:20 am. There were three busses, packed like sardines. It was a real ordeal. But the train rides from Portland, and from Sacramento to LA, were very nice. We pulled into LA at 9:30 pm, where I got my bike and walked ten minutes to the hotel.  

A Little Before Reaching Klamath Falls, We Would See Some Smoke Above Us

LA City Hall Is Lit Up Nicely

Coeur d’Alene Bike Trip - Day 15

I got the unwelcome news in the morning that due to fires, trains weren’t running between Klamath Falls and Sacramento, so we’ll be bussed for that segment. So instead of being able to sleep in a roomette, I’ll be stuck on a bus overnight. Major bummer.

We left Portland on schedule, and the ride to Klamath Falls so far has been nice. We’ll see how the night goes.

Crossing The Willamette After Leaving The Portland Station

Coeur d’Alene Bike Trip - Day 14

One of the reasons I enjoy riding my bike so much is the opportunity to see, then to stop and look if I wish. For example, here are some things I got to see, and look at, this morning, riding from my hotel in Spokane to pick up the rental car…

I Crossed Spokane Falls, In The Park Where I Started My Bike Trip On The Centennial Trail

I Rode Through A Neighborhood With Neat Old Bungalows And Wonderful Little Brick Houses

Someone Was Super Nice, Putting Up This Sign In Their Yard

This Swell Old Tractor Was On Display In A Side Yard

After picking up the rental car, I drove to Portland, backtracking my drive a week earlier, this time with the sun behind me through the Columbia River Gorge. A very pleasant drive, and with the extremely toasty conditions, it was nice to be in an air-conditioned car.

Coeur d’Alene Bike Trip - Day 13

I headed out this morning, again at 5 am, again ti avoid the afternoon heat. I headed west on Idaho SR-58, and continued on the Palouse Scenic Byway, crossing into Washington after a few miles.

The roads here go through rolling hills and farmland planted with alfalfa, hay, wheat, and the like. Surprisingly, some are fields planted with mustard, with yellow flowers just like springtime in Southern California. It’s cool and lovely riding in the morning, with the slanted rays across the rolling hills.

Scenery Along The Palouse Scenic Byway

The Byway Goes Through The Nice Little Town Of Rockford

It Also Goes Through The Town Of Valleyforge Where These Swallows Were Having Fun Swooping About 

The byway climbs and descends through and over the hills, at first gently, but then the climbs become more challenging, and a few were steep enough that I had  to walk up them. But it was a really nice bike ride into Spokane, and I reached the hotel about 9:30. It was too early to check in, so I hung out for a while in a coffee shop, and in the downtown mall, staying cool until I was able to get into my room.

In the evening I treated myself: An old hotel across from where I stayed, the Davenport, has been gloriously restored. It has a fourth floor terrace that looks south, with a view of the surrounding neighborhood including lots of swell old brick buildings, and best of all, and elevated track with substantial train traffic. I bought a Long Island Ice Tea at the bar and took it up to sip in some shade (it was evening but still quite hot), watching the trains roll by. I actually did this the previous two days I was in Spokane also.

This is the last day of bike riding for the trip. Now it’s just a matter of reversing the steps I used to get to Spokane.

Coeur d’Alene Bike Trip - Day 12

Another day of getting out early to avoid the heat. I left Harrison at 5 am. The path followed the shore of the lake, then crossed it on a bridge.

Early Morning Along Lake Coeur d’Alene

The Bike Path Uses An Old RR Bridge To Cross The Lake

There was an osprey nest on the bridge.

The path was flat to the bridge, then it was a nice climb to Plummer, about 1.5%. This is the west end of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.

End Of The Trail

From there I rode US-95 north to my hotel at the Coeur d’Alene casino. US-95 was a highway but surprising nice, with gentle grades, a wide shoulder, and rolling hills and farmland. 

US-95 North From Plummer

Scenes From US-95

I got to the hotel at 8:30 and rested a bit. Since it was still early, I rode another while to check out the beginning of tomorrow’s ride. I rested the rest of the day, to get ready for my final day of biking.