Last time I left you on the verg of Glacier National Park. Now, GNP is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. On our day off, Dan and I rode the road to the sun, an imposible road that peaks at Logans pass. There are sections of this road that are now just a single lane because the outer lane has actually fallen off the side of the mountain. But don't worry about us; we started at 5:30 in the morning so that we could avoid the tourist traffic. The day started cloudy. Dan commented that the scenery reminded him of a scene from The Lord of the Rings movie. I think that the most incredible part of the scenery was actually the clouds. They made the view alive with movement. The clouds would slide up the mountain side, then onto the road just ahead, before parting to allow the sun to warm our cold bones. Really, the 3500 ft. climb was more than enough to keep us warm. Every pedal stroke up was inspired by the sheer beauty of the park and the ability of the American people to build such a miraculous road.

During the 25 miles or so that we rode from GNP to the Canadian border, Paul Williams and I sang every patriotic song we could think of, at the top of our lungs no doubt. Many members of the team were racing for the border. When I inquired to Paul about what our strategy to win should be, he replied "I am not racing, I don't want America to think I want to leave her." I concurred, but the real reason I did not stay with the lead pack was because I could not keep up. Adriano, Brandon, John, and Brett were pushing hard! I was pushing hard just to try to keep them in sight so that I could see the race unfold. Brandon won it with a bold move in a crosswind with about 8 miles left. Nobody ever caught him. I think that Canada wanted to show us what she's got, because we were pounded with crosswinds and headwinds for the rest of the 100+ mile day. Next time maybee Paul and I will sing the Canadian National Anthem instead.

Canada has been great to us so far. Ever since Tom Evans, Tess's dad, helped us set up camp during our first night in Canada, we have been blessed. The city of Carlsholm gave us free camping and showers and a much warmer day with tailwinds into Calgary. I am currently writing from the Mustard Seed Street Ministry here in downtown Calgary where we have stayed for two nights. Days off rule. We had square dancing, ice cream, cherries, mountain oysters, the Stampede, Shakespeare in the park, an unforgettable cultural experience, and too much good food to eat. And we didn't even have to get in a car. At lunch today, we helped out downstairs, serving the homeless and needy. I bussed tables for a few hours. I was amazed at the number of meals that 'the Seed' served. Everyone around this place is always moving, always working, always striving to do all the little things that many of us take for granted. Staying here at the seed has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. One of the many friendly volunteers here said that life at the seed is very nitty gritty and down to earth.

Tomorrow, we wake up early and help start off a Marathon before we ride over to Banff. I want to run the marathon so bad, but I know that such a feet will keep me off the bike for more than just a few days, so I will keep my running shoes in my bag and release my endorphins through my mouth as I cheer the runners on.

I will talk to you all as soon as possible. Watch for postcards. I have a lot I need to send out. The hardest thing seems to be finding an open post office and now that I am in Canada, I don't even know what kind of stamps I need. Signing off~~MZW