LANDING IN A NATURAL PLAYGROUND
Finding Home after 150,000 miles, 76 countries & 4 continents PHOTOS AND WORDS BY TIM BURKE
Every day, this state finds a way of reminding us that the land that we live on – the place we call home – is still wild. Go for a drive in any direction and you can see it, smell it, and feel it: It’s still untamed and the people that live here make no effort in hiding the fact that they are trying to keep it that way. It’s also no surprise that the largest roadless landmass in the lower 48 is centered smack-dab in the middle of Idaho. It symbolizes the quintessence of everything Idahoans love about the outdoors. This wilderness is the ultimate pinnacle and representation of Idaho’s preservation efforts and spans almost 2.5 million acres. Not yet ruined by man, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is the largest federally-protected wilderness area in the lower 48. When combined with its next-door neighbor, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the two form an area larger than
the state of Connecticut. It defines rugged. What makes this preserved land so special is that, per the law, all means of “mechanized travel” on and within any dedicatedWilderness is prohibited. Only horseback, unpowered boats, and your own two feet are allowed here. For those of us who don’t always travel on horseback, own a raft, or have the stamina to hike through this unforgiving terrain, don’t worry. There are still hidden gems that allow you to get out and appreciate the raw natural beauty from your vehicle or motorcycle. For me – a motorcycle is, without a sliver of doubt, my favorite way to explore our planet. Allow me to rewind a bit: In April of 2017, not wanting to die with a lame and empty passport, I decide to quit my job, sell my THE CHAMBER GUIDE 2022
25
