Just another day (or two) in North Fork.

During the day Harold, Fran, Donna and I took a trip down to "Mother Chukars Cafe" on the Salmon River.

As usual we do see an occasional big horned sheep that browse the river area.

Once in a while we see an adult male with a sizable rack hanging nearby.

Beer, homemade chips and salsa...a mountain mans feast at Mother Chukars with Harold and Fran. It's always interesting talking to Jesse and Dan (owners) about the political and environmental problems that seem to plaque the little community.

We returned to the River's Fork Lodge because of the heavy smoke in the river canyon and Donna started catching up with Ken from Arizona. Ken and Toni had pulled in with their 40 foot fifth-wheel trailer while we were gone. We met Ken last year before the Mustang Fire Complex forced us all to leave.

Late in the day I had wanted to run down the river road for 45 miles to the very end, just for the fun of it. We spotted this nice herd of elk grazing half way down. 

I don't do it very often but once in a while I miss judge the size of a rock. This was an easy fix of pushing the plastic skirting back where it belonged and off we go.

This time of the evening we got some beautiful light on the hillsides.

We had watched them building this walkway over the Salmon River last year the and were surprised that #1 it's done and #2 it didn't burn up in the fires last summer. I'm not an structural engineer but if you factor in that 90% of the bridge is wood and a suspension one at that, I just think it's beautiful.

The bridge is the only bridge that crosses the Salmon River south of Panther Creek and allows access for hikers that want to follow the trail to Stoddard...unfortunately the bridge was closed by yet another fire in the area today but that won't stop Donna from going out and looking at the river down below.

At the end of the road, on the river of no return, is a backlog of rafts ready to make the run in the morning. It is a six day, 100 mile run to the town of Riggins, Idaho from here with no 7/11 or McDonalds along the way, nada...nothing!

The worst thing about staying here at the park is saying goodbye to good neighbors who need to hit the road.

But saying goodbye usually encompasses either pizza or chicken wings get together...both of which are good. Harold, Donna, Elaine and Elaine's father Bob are enjoying pizza from Josephines just up the road.

Here are Bud and Cheryl, the guests of honor who will be hitting the road in the morning. There is always a good chance we will see them again next year...safe travels gang!