Yep even the grizzlies can. And they can run way faster than you. Basically if a grizzly bear has decided it doesn’t like you, you are dead or in a bad world of hurt. Those black bears like you saw aren’t nearly as bad but still could be dangerous.

I have been working my way through this book, it’s simply frightening to read it.

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Grizzly-2nd-Revised-Updated-ebook/dp/B006212KGS/ref=sr_1_1

Get some of that cool history literature while you are in the belly of the dinosaur.

No problem though, if that’s your ride you have all the time in the world

The Kings Inn looks like a good find. I've been to that Hotel Circle area about a zillion times over the years, but haven't been there in a while (We tend to stay at the Holiday Inn Express up the road these days, it sucks, but points). I am pretty sure I know exactly where that is, I think its a place we stayed at many times before (thinking the 80s and 90s) but I can't remember what it was called. Is there a little bit of space there that could be used for a small convention?

For sure that's the place we used to go all the time, for the life of me I can't remember what it used to be called. Probably stayed there a dozen times or more, and we often would play golf at that course that is right there which tends to flood all the time.

As far as the points go, it can work out either way. Everything you say is true for sure. I do a lot of travel for work where I am not paying anyway and I tend to take the Holiday Inn to get myself points. Its pretty easy to do because Holiday Inns are pretty much everywhere. I also have a Holiday Inn credit card which adds in extra bonus points and gives one free night a year. So it does add up to a decent amount that helps out on my personal trips. On our last 2-night trip we got both nights free at a nice place so that was a good deal. The downside is that you are always staying at a Holiday Inn, but its not so bad all in all. They have a lot of different properties to pick from, and for the most part they are decent places to stay. I generally have no problem with Holiday Inn Express other than their terrible breakfast.

I also have accounts with Hilton, Marriott, and all the other chains as well, and they add up after a while to where I can get a free personal night here and there. This is what happens when you travel a lot for work, which I have grown to dislike quite a bit over the years. I also fly almost all on American Airlines and am working on the 2 million mile mark. the first million gets you Gold membership for life and the 2 million mark gets you Platinum, but these aren't worth much these days. These days I do my best to avoid as many trips as possible, although I do enjoy the driving vacation trips like you are doing here.

Apple pie!