In Memory of Warmer Summers

June 29 to July 1

Alberta, Canada via Waterton Lakes National Park and Cardston, AB

Meet Frank and Trudi from Grass Valley, California.  We met them at the border as we were going into Canada.  They are riding from Jasper to a variety destinations in the U.S.

We found Canadian roads to be impeccably paved, with wide shoulders and drivers so courteous they always drove into the oncoming lane to give us plenty of room despite our cycling in the center of their ample road shoulders. 

Canadians are a very polite people.  Unlike the folks in Montana, Canadians do not throw glass bottles onto the shoulder of their roads, although I thought I saw a shard from a broken tea cup at one point.

July 1st is of course Canada Day and I was given a small Canadian flag to celebrate this event by our host at a campground.  Unfortunately, it almost got me in a little trouble with a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.

To summarize the conversation that day as we returned across the border to the U.S., the following was said:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP):  “What is that flag you are flying on the back of that bike? 

Me:  “It’s a Canadian flag.  It’s Canada Day.”

CBP:  “Not here it isn’t, maybe back there it is (as he points behind me with a heavily tattooed arm that fit well with his extra-long goatee.  The man looked like a Hells Angel). You are in the United States of America now. Take that flag off that bicycle.”

Me: (No response, just glad my sunglasses were still on my face)

CBP:  “Have you ever been arrested for a felony crime or incarcerated in prison for any reason?”

Me:  “No sir.  I’m a retired state trooper from Wyoming.”

CBP: “Where do you live?”

Me: “Florida.”

CBP: “That’s a horrible place.  Why do you live there?”

Me: “Because I’m a retired state trooper from Wyoming.”

And so with this fabulous greeting from this fine representative of the executive branch of my government, we returned to lousy Montana roads with no shoulders, broken bottles everywhere and less than courteous drivers. 

All part of the adventure…

By the way, the flag remained on my bicycle and it remains there today. I will display that flag as long as it will hold up in a presentable condition.