We spent the next two nights camping in the backcountry. Here is a picture of us right before we hit the trail.
The first day we hike about 6.5 miles to Poia Lake campground.
We ended up camping here two nights, because were unable to get another backcountry site. As a result, the second day we did a day trip to Red Gap Pass (there and back). You can see the red rock for which it gets its name.
Day Five: Glacier National Park to Calgary, Alberta
We exited the park, after seeing some amazing stuff, but no bears or moose unfortunately. On our way down the mountain we ran into a group of four hardcore grandmas packed up and ready to hit the backcountry. They told us they saw a grizzly at the trail head, but by the time we got down there, we didn't see anything.
On our way out of Montana, we stopped at a little general store to re-pack the car. Incidentally, we have to do this all the time, anytime we camp or even go into a hostel, everything gets all jacked up and the car is full to the brim anyway. Most of my life is in the car. I'm also constantly losing stuff amongst all the junk and the packing and re-packing. Anyway, in front of this store, is a true cowboy sitting on a bench. He's wearing sunglasses on his ruddy face. In fact, it looks like his whole head has been smudged out with sandpaper. Hard living.
John empties out the cooler and distributes some miscellaneous Rolling Rocks that are almost warm to the cowboy. He sets them next to his boots, because he is already nursing one. After we tell him, we are headed to Anchorage, he volunteers that he made it to Anchorage in 32 hours once. "Anchorage", he says, "There's a lot of whores in Anchorage." He had a look of fond reminiscence on his face as he delivered this gem.
I believe he even told us to get us some of them whores, as we got into the car to leave.
Arriving in Calgary
We pull into Calgary in the early evening. Calgary or maybe it is just Alberta is called the New West according to many billboards, for whatever that's worth. I'm not sure what that means really!
We had reservations for a hostel in the city which sits just east of the city center. As we pull in front of the hostel (which looks quite nice), we notice that the surrounding area is a bit run down. Lots of vagrants and shady interactions occurring on the street.
We get into the hostel and after paying and whatnot, I ask the front desk attendant if it is okay to leave my car out on the street for the next two nights, given what I had observed.
Woman: Oh, yeah. I've worked here two months. It's completely safe.
Me (inner monologue): When I got out of my car, there was a guy on the corner barking at the sky! And a diseased prostitute strolled by, belly extended, looking for business.
Woman: You can park downtown, but Calgary is ranked as the 18th most expensive downtown in the world!
Johnny (inner monologue): You're full of S**t!
Me: I think we'll check out the parking downtown.
Here's a picture of downtown Calgary. They have a ridiculous space needle that is smaller than most every other building in the downtown.
Other Amusing Quotes/Interchanges from downtown Calgary:
1. Walking next to the tram platform, a man randomly comments to us and points to a woman on the other side of the street, "Gentlemen, now that is a pair of legs." Inner Monologue: "Oh, I'm sorry, were we having a conversation with you."
2. The Calgary tram peace officer pulls up alongside as we are walking along the sidewalk. [Note: Some would say we had just errantly crossed the street in front of an oncoming tram, but, for the record, it was a considerable distance away, though, nevertheless illegal].
Officer: Hey, guys. Do you know why I am stopping.
Us: Yes. We shouldn't of crossed in front of the tram back there.
Officer: Gosh, that was close one. You were really close to getting hit back there. Do you know what happens when you get hit by the tram? Death.
Us: Yeah, sorry about that. We won't do it again.
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