Graphics intensive post this time!!

Today we’re starting off with another history lesson. A sad one. We were just leaving Kamiah, and this “Bridge Across the Bitteroots” sign showed us just where we were and where we were headed.

But this sign next to it, told the sad story, of how Lewis and Clark nearly starved near this point, but also how about 750 people, or one-third of the Nez Perce tribe abandoned their cattle at their Joseph Plains homeland. They packed what personal possessions they could on 2,000 horses and followed the Nee-Me-Poo trail eastward in their 1877 flight from the U.S. Army.

Back on Highway 12, we continued heading East.

This is near milepost 69, outside of Kamiah.

We kept driving along the Clearwater River; everything was so green and beautiful!!

We stopped several times along the river, just to hear the sound of it and to enjoy the peacefulness of it. Nolemana talked about how wonderful it’d be to go fishing in it!

Looking back the way we’d come along this lovely river.

And off we go again.

I asked Nolemana to take a photo of this sign just because it was funny. I think I’d describe me this way sometimes, a centerline rumble strip. Right, Nolemana?

We are now following the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River near Kooskia.

This is an RV Park about 20 minutes from Kamiah. Inside there was a kiosk with lots of information about Lewis and Clark, the Native Americans, and the surrounding area.

Back on the road again, we took photos of the rock formations for Izzie Kikue, who loves seeing them.

I will definitely have to keep my eyes on the road for many miles to come.

I bet somebody was out there fishing! It was such a gorgeous day that it was very tempting to just stop and enjoy the peace and quiet. But we had to get all the way to Bozeman by evening, and it was still a long, long, ways away.

I am so interested in history, but when I read signs like this I just get mad at the utter audacity of people who think they can run roughshod over the indigenous people who are already living peacefully in a country.

Looking Glass
During General O.O. Howard’s 1877 Nez Perce campaign, Looking Glass and his band were camped up Clear Creek near here.

Looking Glass told Army authorities – “Leave us alone. We are living here peacefully and I want no trouble.” But after a military attack, July 1, that destroyed his village, ruined his gardens, and captured 750 Nez Perce horses, Looking Glass and his band joined other Nez Perce refugees and soon headed for Montana’s buffalo plains. Howard spent three more months pursuing Joseph, White Bird, and Looking Glass and their warriors after that fiasco.

If the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River could talk, what a tale it could tell.

Middle Fork of the Clearwater River through the pine trees.

It’s peaceful now, but how many innocent people died near here!

This was a perfect time of year to be travelling this highway. Traffic was almost non-existent, and the three of us (including Musubi, of course!) were really enjoying our time together.

We are now getting close to the tiny town of Syringa, Idaho, at about 1:00 p.m.

Eh! Somebody get geese!

Plenny geese! But da geese stay sked. They’re probably wild kine.

Sign for Smith Creek Road, past Kooskia and before Syringa.

Still just before Syringa.

Old Ford pickup in Syringa. I love it!

Just in case you want to look up on a map where we were. Or if I want to!

Another bridge going over the river.

And more geese. I don’t know why I love Canada Geese so much, but I do. I love their honking and muttering among themselves.

We pull over again to watch the beautiful river.

We just let the video roll so that you folks could really enjoy the drive with us.

We’re now starting to climb a little bit.

And now we can’t see the river much anymore.

Everytime I see signs for Lolo Pass, no can help but smile.

So ends Part Eleven. Next time I’m gonna have some exciting videos for you! Mahalo for riding shotgun with us!