Day 13 Pioneer Park, outside Newport to "Warm Shower" Kootenai 68km

Headline News, a second day of sunshine and blue skies! Below the fold headline... Louise chucks another tanty because she is hungry! Back page news, first flat tyre delays start this morning. Once on the go our first wildlife spotting happens almost immediately as a very large toad surveys our progress from his position at the curb. Also spotted today, more squirrels (still exciting), Canada geese (lots) and some Swainson's Hawks and their chicks. We say farewell to Washington, first state we have crossed, and g'day Idaho for a day of ups and downs. The hills roll over and over showing us spectacular views of Lake Pend Oreille and snow topped mountain ranges in all directions. The sun high in the sky, a genuinely hot day, we roll into Sandpoint to restock empty water bottles before making the final 15 miles to our campground. Outside Safeway (to our NSW readers it is called that in the US too) a voice says "Are you after a warm shower?". It belongs to Paula, mother of 3 boys, a dog, a rabbit, a cat and 6 tiny kittens, physiotherapist and skier extraordinary! She is part of a scheme known as 'warm showers' an online community which open their homes to travelers and offer somewhere to sleep and a warm shower! Her enthusiasm impossible to resist she quickly organises a welcoming party of young men on their bikes to ride us home. The generosity of spirit, of kindnesses big and small continue to be a wonderful kind of surprise. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad