Hurling from great heights in Idaho

Did a five-day family bike ride with my son Silas on the world-class rail-trails in northern Idaho last year and came across these teenagers who were jumping from an old railroad bridge into a deep pool in the river below. As the kids on our ride gathered to watch, the bravest leaper offered to climb to the top of the 80-foot bridge and hurl himself off. Then we all watched in disbelief as he did just that.

It was a pretty great jump. You may have seen this image in various magazines as the fun-loving guys over at Big Agnes have been using it in their ads all year.

A few more images from the rest of our ride follow, including a couple from the magnificent Route of the Hiawatha, a jaw-dropping rail-trail on the Idaho / Montana border that features a series of high trestles. Plus, a couple from a mine tour we took just outside the old mining town of Wallace.

To see a few more images from the Hiawatha, including a couple from its huge tunnels, check out my post over on the Freeman Blog. If you crave still more munchkins-on-rail-trails action, head over here to read my story on the trip.