Eagle Idaho Homes

Brown bike across the nation, witnesses beauty and devastation

Brown retired on February 1 as manager of the Jackson County Public Health Department. Three months later on May 2 she flew to Yorktown, Virginia to begin an almost 4,000-mile journey with fellow bicyclist, Brad Cook, 57, from Medford.

Brown and Cook began the trip in the east so the sun would not be in their faces as they traveled towards home on a bicycle route that was mapped in 1976 for America’s Centennial. The westerly direction also offered safety as the sun would not blind drivers on their side of the road, said Brown.

Starting each day early, Brown and Cook towed trailers that weighed about 45 pounds each and carried gear such as sleeping bags and tents for the two-month long journey. Although Brown was experienced after previously touring with Cycle Oregon eight times, through the Rockies seven times and three cross-state tours in Wyoming, Wisconsin and Idaho, she said it was difficult getting used to the weight of the trailer.

Brown and Cook averaged 62-miles a day with the longest day covering 127-miles. On day 17, they met up with two men from northwest Virginia. The four traveled together until Cook broke off in Wyoming to take a different route.

Crossing the country, Brown found that women were in the minority when it came to touring on bicycles. Minority or not, she was the only one of the four to have previously completed a 100-mile ride called “a century.” That inequality was remedied in Kansas when all four completed a 100-mile day.

The group hit all kinds of weather. It was hot and humid some days and rainy on others. When it rained they got wet, stressed Brown laughing. The elements proved to be challenging but the bicyclists were fortunate. They were a day away from Joplin, Missouri when the big tornado hit. “It was a horrible, horrible storm,” emphasized Brown soberly. She saw a flattened community with roofs torn off and clothes hanging in broken trees.

The destructive spring also brought torrential rains. “In Illinois and Mississippi, flooded areas looked like lakes with homes in the middle of the lakes,” said Brown. The bicyclists had to cross the Ohio River where the water was so high the ferry had not been able to run until that day. Taking a detour through one region, they were guided over the top of a levee on gravel, with water lapping below.

3433 W. Salto, Eagle, ID 83616

3433 W. Salto, Eagle, ID 83616

Gorgeous home in desirable Cavallo Estates- Bring Your Horses!  Lovely open floor plan with separate living & family rooms, office, formal dining & gourmet kitchen- Alder Cabinets, Double Oven, Trash Compactor, Breakfast Bar/ Island with sink.  Master on the main floor with walk in closet & dual vanities in the luxurious bathroom.  Upstairs: large bonus room, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths & “Extra” room.  Covered patio faces South over acreage.

The history of Idaho

Field & Stream

Hearings

Biennial report of the Board of Trustees of the State Historical Society of Idaho

Water-supply paper