You mention about the bears in Glacier - that whole thing really messes with your mind.  Pre Mrs. Daypack was extremely frightened when on the trail.  She wore these bells on the outside of her pack so as not to startle a bear. 

One time she saw what appeared to be a large bear coming down the trail at us.  She sorta sqeaked and ran off in the opposite direction like a bat outta hell.  I looked further and realized what she saw was a bunch of free ranging cattle walking down the trail.   

On the 85 trip we did the girlfriend flew home after 2 weeks and I spent 10 days solo backpacking.  That was a real test of my mental endurance as I pictured man eating bears chasing me down for lunch.      

One morning camped beside a gorgeous trout lake in the woods I DID hear a bear.  I was laying in my tent in the early dawn and heard what sounded like a low moan.  It then got louder but seemed to be moving back down the trail.  I was scared crapless.

My guess is that the bear (grizzly or black, not sure) saw my tent and ran.

And that train ride....    We were in coach not having money for a sleeper car.  It was extremely hard to sleep with all the stops and commotion.  But it was a very good experience.  I remember hanging in the lounge car after dark with people from all over and this dude had a guitar and was singing folk songs.  It was pretty magical. 

I remember talking with someone who was moving to alaska.  As a young twenty something that was pretty inspiring.  When we went back to Glacier the following year I applied for a job at the Forest Service.

About a month later I got a message that they had called me back about a position.  And then I did something that I regret to this day.  I didn't return the call.   

It was nice to meet you Wally.