Day 3 June 10 McCall, ID to Burns, OR

Route: McCall, ID to Burns, OR

GPS Tracks for the trip are posted here:https://tworoads.shutterfly.com/pictures/40#38

Miles: 241

Total Time: 6:51

Total On Bikes: 4:16

An unseasonable northwestern storm of rain/snow and wind brought the first change in our routing for the trip. All directions except back to Oregon were forecasted with rain and snow -- so we picked the only destination we could find that had a less-than-50% chance of rain -- and that was Burns, Oregon -- once the unofficial capital of the 19th century cattle empires that staked claim to this high desert area.

As we descended from the 6000+ foot elevation of McCall at around 10:30am, light snow showers began. Thankfully we were able to get to lower elevations quickly and left the snow behind. The skies were cloudy all day and we could see rain showers on the horizon in every direction but we were blessed with almost no precipitation falling on us. However, it was a COLD day with temperatures running under 50 degrees all day. At each stop we added more layers of clothing and sang the praises of our heated grips. The route was more straight than either of us enjoy -- but we did get some canyon carving in at pretty high speeds.

Arriving in Burns we ran into several other motorcyclists who had similarly been diverted from their plans by snow and sleet -- and found themselves in Burns for the night.

An unexpected benefit of this route diversion is the opportunity to take another scenic route from here to Walla Walla tomorrow, Oregon Route 395 which was not on our original plan. From here on out we are making it up as we go -- but still loving every minute of the riding. We marvel at every little town we travel though -- wonder at what keeps each community surviving.