Swan Lake to Clearwater Lake This morning started with me motivated to get on the road before 9. Alas, maybe I’ll try again tomorrow! I’m hopeful I develop more of a routine and that will help. A heavy dew compelled me to dawdle hoping my tent fly, shoes, chair and anything else I left out would dry. I picked up my camelback that I had put on a log the night before, and a small brown snake had taken shelter there. I resisted the urge to carry it into a sunny spot and left it there. 2 cars were parked near the bridge when I left—fishermen, I assume. My destination today was Holland lake, but since I had made a few extra miles the day before, I had also noted a Clearwater Lake about 10 miles further. The roads were quite good, and with no traffic I could pick my line. I took breaks at 2 hours, then 4 hours as I was ever getting closer to Holland lake. For many miles I remained in the cedar, ferns, birch and lush greenery that I entered yesterday. Slowly, the forest began to thin out, with more open space for scenery, and finally familiar ponderosa forest. I had been riding along alone on nice forest roads, and was jolted into reality when I came upon a highway and had to ride it for a couple miles. Mercifully, I turned off toward Holland Lake to see “Holland Lake Lodge Temporarily Closed”. My plans for a coke and chips—or even fries—shattered into a thousand pieces. The horror! I pedaled a little dejected for a mile or so until I could process my first world plight. Holland lake is not that big, so I decided to ride to the lodge anyway with the blind hope that maybe they would have a coke machine. No such luck. I sat on a park bench for a few minutes plotting my next move. Holland Lake was pretty busy, so it didn’t take me long to decide to head for Clearwater lake. On paper (or a digital map), the lake didn’t seem very far or too difficult to get to. In reality, there was some pretty good climbing to get there, and I was feeling the miles. I was happy to see the small sign to the lake and an informal camp spot beside the road. I talked to some fishermen that were just loading up, and they said there was some good camping right on the lake, but it was “a mile down the trail”. They thought my bike could make it down there. Well…how hard can it be?!? Down the trail I went, and it turned out to be less than 1/2 mile and very rideable. What a spot! Clear water, great views and peace. I swam and rinsed off, then watched the fish eat bugs, and dragon flies dancing around. After setting up camp and having a meal in a bag, I am proper tired. Great day today!