1,102 smiles and a Z-car

We had to make a quick run to Boise last weekend. And because it was such a beautiful loop, I thought I would throw a trip report together.

After some continual prodding about picking up something to enjoy these beautiful Idaho back country roads, my good friend Don settled on a well sorted 1973 240z. He spent quite a bit of time figuring out "what" he wanted, then he had to find the one. I think he did pretty well. So Friday after slipping out of the office a bit early we hit the road from Coeur d'Alene on our way to Boise. The plan was to hop in my 911 (Frisco) Friday after work, get mostly to Boise, and slip in Saturday morning for the pick up. Followed by a stop off at the airport to grab the wives for the beautiful trip home.

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Here's our planned loop.

We pretty much shot straight down US-95 with the goal of landing in McCall for the night. First the Lewison grade, and then Whitebird pass. Two great openers to our chosen route that has a total of 7 mountain passes. As we ran out of daylight, we pulled into the Hartland Inn in New Meadows instead of going all the way into McCall. This actually saved us a little backtracking the next morning. Pizza and beers across the street at Miss Kitty's Pizza was amazing. Over dinner we also learned this was the one year anniversary of the double murder of the owners of the Hartland Inn. (Crazy story if you want to google that.) I snuggled Frisco in tight to keep an eye on him and we hit the rack.

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This was much like Christmas morning for Don, so we were up and out the door by 5:00am Slow picking down the grade into Glendale and Council as the animals were on the move. Rolled through Weiser and Fruitland before jumping on the dreaded I-84 heading to Nampa for the 8:00 pickup time. The only good thing about driving on the interstate is the speed limit. You can cover some ground.

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I have to say there are so many joys of driving and old 911, but how it drives at speed is certainly one of them. The fact that a 54 year old car, rolling at 90, at 4000rpms, drives so straight, so tight and so comfortably, just makes me smile. My hand on my knee, with one finger on the wheel for some reason just blows my mind.

We made it to Nampa and spent 30-45 mins going over Don's new z. After some general 240z and 911 conversations we headed straight to the airport to pickup the wives. Not sure if we could have planned it much closer as we only waited about 4 mins in the cell lot before we got the call. Quick pickup then downtown for a nice lunch.

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Back to I-84 before hopping onto HW-20 at Mountain Home. The road from MH to Ketchum was beautiful. Some great twisty turnys out of Dixie before almost a straight shot to Ketchum. Spent the afternoon strolling through downtown Ketchum with a visit to the Warfield Distillery and then onto Sun Valley where we spotted a beautiful 928 at the lodge.

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We also learned that the "Trailing of the Sheep Festival" was going on this weekend which is were all the sheep herders drive there sheep down HW-75 through town out of there summer grazing area. https://trailingofthesheep.org/ With this in mind, we hit the road early to get up and over Galena Pass. This stretch of road all the way to Challis was the peak beauty of the route. Bright blue skies with the lightly snow dusted Sawtooth mountains jetting out of all the Fall colors, while ripping up and over a high mountain pass. Smiling and slightly giggling as we danced through gears. We were in a happy place. Mile after mile I could tell Don was getting happier and happier with his newly found steed.

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Coming off of Galena Pass the small river beside us was the headwaters of the Salmon River. Any white water guys out there that know the significance of this river to Idaho and the rafting community will understand the beauty of the next 180 miles of road alongside of it. Some great history right there.

Into Stanley and onto Challis for a stop at the Village Inn for lunch before a couple of riverside leg stretches south of Salmon and just downriver of North Fork. Somehow we hit the weather just perfect. Mid 70s where it's totally comfortable with the windows either up or down. Perfect driving temps.

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Onto Lost Trail Pass and into Montana. Lost Trail has a great mix of hairpins and long pulls. Mostly four lane and lacking of other traffic. A wonderful combinations.. Now onto Missoula and Interstate 90 before heading back west. Halfway up Lookout Pass we pull into Saltese for dinner. We finished up dinner as well as the rest of Lookout pass. Up and over Fourth of July Pass and home by 8:00. Not a bad way to spend the weekend, that's for sure. Don's closing comments sums it up well. "Pretty good opener for my first few miles with my Z-car". Agreed! More of that to come my friend.

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Facts:
-1,102 miles
-7 mtn passes
-1 bump start
-0 mechanicals
-a dozen thumbs up and countless high-fives

Great drive. Looks like a blast. If you ever want to make a shorter loop, I'd encourage you to take 12 from Lolo across. And stop in and say hello if you pass through Missoula.

Nice write up and photos.

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Originally Posted by eaton

Great drive. Looks like a blast. If you ever want to make a shorter loop, I'd encourage you to take 12 from Lolo across. And stop in and say hello if you pass through Missoula.

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Thanks eaton
Oh for sure. HW 12 is beautiful. We'd certainly do that one again. You'll have to join us!

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Originally Posted by Bert

Nice write up and photos.

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Thanks Bert! Appreciate that.

GREAT stuff Bill ... Cheers

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Originally Posted by Chuck Miller

GREAT stuff Bill ... Cheers

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All the best Chuck..