Day 18

Another mile burner today. 614 miles. Just covering distance to get set up for the run home. Not bad considering that we frittered away at least an hour chatting it up with several biker couples we ran into at a gas stop. We were directed to some secret short cuts to Hinton, just outside the park (Banff), and they were lovely farm and oil roads on which we saw very few other bikes. Real secrets indeed. We will spend the night outside the park as one couple told us lunch of 2 chili bowls, a pull pork sandwich, a chocolate milk and a coffee was $44 inside the park. Lucky we don't stop for lunch!!

We did see, today, a black bear, 2 elk, and many deer, one so close I could smell its breath before it leapt off the road. I saw its little friend in the ditch and had slowed, fortunately. But, I missed the one right in front of me. Bruce, too, didn't see it until it jumped out of my way; not that it would have helped me much if he had. Maybe, it would have provided some closure for the family, I guess. The close calls are becoming commonplace. Well, that's what adventure is all about. Oh! There were two dead moose, too. Hit by trucks last night, I expect. Too bad. They were within a mile or so from each other and were probably acquainted.

There's lot of time to think on these long days. I figured out what distinguishes intelligent life from non-intelligent life and from each other. I have, finally, figured out what DNA is up to and I have a good idea why but, the latter is a stretch and I'll have to fill in a “proof” before I'm comfortable with it. I, also, figured out why some clouds rain on you while others don't and why one part of a cloud will rain on you when another part stays white and fluffy. Yes, there is a lot of time to think.

A special thank you to Coatesy and Sandy for the doo-rag. It is especially appreciated high in the snowy mountains since it keeps me warm as well as helmet head free.