The bottom fell out at Waterton. It was a frosted mug. Corey and I were celebrating our last night in the park when suddenly the frosted mug lost its bottom and an entire beer spilled on my lap. The waiter did not seem to care. His manager did not care. Not even a little. I asked to speak to him and only did so after the waiter told me that the best they could do was not charge me for the beer (the one on my lap) so long as I ordered another one. I may have used foul language. I may have lost my temper. Five plus weeks on the road and this was the first time I did so.

We were also almost eaten by a bear. Or at least we were within a few feet of one on the Bertha Lake Trail. Bad service and carnivores aside, our stay at Waterton Lakes Park has been a good one. Lots of memories here. Our first one was in 1999 when we stumbled upon the park on our first epic summer trip. Then there was the time with little Henna. And in 2016 when I assured many people Trump would never be elected. Then in 2019 after the big fire which nearly wiped out the Town Site. For this trip it was finding out Biden had dropped out just before entering the park and then speculating on his possible replacement that night with a lovely couple from Edmonton. It was also listening to several Albertans complain about having to pay the full fee to enter their park. Meanwhile the smoke blew in from BC but only got bad on our last night which is tonight (a few stars are out but the smoke is getting thick).

It’s windy too. Strong hot gusts that shake our tent. They will blow us out of here tomorrow and then likely chase us across Canada all the way down to Minnesota and then home. We miss the trip already but are excited to be coming home.