Random observations and other stuff

• It seems like 50% of the service workers in West Yellowstone are from Russia or Bulgaria 
• In Wyoming, they have drive-through beer / liquor stores. I was getting gas at the adjacent store and observed a fellow buying a 24-pack of PBR and a half gallon of vodka, via the drive through window, at 7:45 am
• Watched a Japanese guy try to dispose of trash in a bear-proof receptacle. This could have been an awesome candid camera scene. You can't just lift up the lid, you need to reach under a welded handle and push a large button to open. Guy tried everything, walked around the back, etc. I went over and helped him. Then we had to do the bow and exchange business cards. Being unemployed, I think I gave him an expired AAA card
• Next time, I will take 50% less clothes. Talking to a guy at dinner, I said "I won't ever see you again, so I'm wearing this same outfit tomorrow"
• In Wyoming, high-speed internet, means you can connect to the wireless network - but that is it, no actual access to the internet
• I'm waiting for my steak in Cody,WY and the waitress walks by and what I think she says is: "Sir (are you) Paul?". Can't resist, so I say "no I'm the walrus". She doesn't even break stride and says "well here is another clue for you"
• I meet this guy from Indiana who moved out west and is training to be a lineman. He and I talk about the Wild West and people literally walking across the continent in hope of their ancestors becoming software engineers at Cisco. He tells me about replacing poles which were set in the 1800's. Cut somewhere else, floated down rivers, pulled by horses, and set by hand. He says " when I am tired at the end of the day and feeling down, I think about these people and how hard they must have worked"
• A tour bus in Yellowstone tried to run me down because I evidently was going to park in "it's space". Missed my left handlebar by no more than 6 inches. After I reported the asswipe to the ranger (there were several witnesses), I waited a few minutes, pulled out my leatherman, and proceeded to carve asswipe onto the entry door of the bus while mr asswipe was being detained by the rangers 
• In Great Falls, I went to the store to get a sandwich for dinner. After leaving the hotel, I did not secure one of my saddle bags. Pulling out of the Subway, the bag fell off in the turn lane. I immediately turned around at the next intersection and started back to retrieve the bag. A van stopped, some 400 pound woman got out, grabbed my bag and high-fived the driver and started to drive off. I rode through the red light and pulled in front of them as they tried to make a left turn. "You have my bag". "What bag?" "Do not fuck with me, you have part of Bert and you will die painfully within 30 seconds" "oh this bag, we were going to bring it to you.."