Day 33: Dupuyer, MT to Glacier NP, MT (95 miles)

Upon seeing an alpaca for the first time: 'What are you, land devil! Teach me your ways so I may learn them and conquer the hearts of man! I love you, but I fear you!' This one-way conversation with the camelid lasted about twenty minutes.

After my introduction to the alpaca, we met 25 mph headwinds for thirty miles, rain and hail for twelve, and then a ten-mile climb. Probably the most difficult day of the trip.

At the end of the ride, a malnourished dog approached us. Until we figure out what to do with him, we're keeping him and naming him Rocky. Rocky is car-friendly, people-friendly, and very relaxed. Awesome.

Day 34: rest day in Glacier

Our ride director vetoed the dog idea, so Susan, Kate, Emily, and I drove to a nearby animal shelter and dropped him off. So long, Rocky. Be safe.

The 'Ride to the Sun' road is considered the prettiest drive in North America. I believe it. I didn't take pictures, but look it up on Google Image. It's incredible. We had snowball fights.

Day 35: Glaicer, MT to Claresholm, MT (105 miles)

Canada!

I want to pause and talk about cows. Driving along highways in OK, WY, and MT, you pass by a lot of cows. Now, the cows in OK will start stampeding if you scream at them, but on our trek north, the cows have started holding their ground. Today, an Albertan cow actually scared me when it moo-ed back. By the time we hit Alaska, the every member of the Texas 4000 may very well have to carry a machete.

Day 36: Claresholm, MT to Calgary, MT (90 miles)

We went to the Calgary Stampede, the world's largest rodeo. Awesome. I'm getting a pair of cowboy boots as soon as I have the time and money.